These are but a few of the amazing specifications of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project: the world’s largest radio telescope that will be built in South Africa and Australia over the ten years.

Motivated to join this exciting project I travelled to Stellenbosch, South Africa, to do an internship. I’m currently  working on improving an antenna design of which millions will be produced and placed in the South African desert. In order for me to do my job properly, Stellenbosch University gave me an office with a spectacular view of the mountains (see picture): a view unlike that of most TU/e employees.

I’m free to use this impressive office because a master’s program here is meant for the best South African students only: I’ve impressed many locals at the bar by telling them I’m doing my master’s in Electrical Engineering. Students here are highly competitive, too. For instance, our departament is decorated with a large sign naming the very best graduates of every generation, something you’d never see at TU/e.

These differences aside, the atmosphere at Stellenbosch University and TU/e is very similar. You can visit a professor any time of day and attendance is not registered as long as you get your work done. Because of the positive atmosphere and the beautiful country, I can’t wait to see what the next several months in Stellenbosch have in store for me.