- Student
- 02/11/2018
And how are things in Hamilton, Ontario?
At first sight, there aren’t any big differences between Hamilton and Eindhoven. They aren’t really beautiful cities (I was born in Eindhoven, so I get to say it) but they definitely have their nice places and lots of nature around them (Hamilton has an overload of squirrels). In the past century both Hamilton and Eindhoven have grown because of their industries and both look up to their neighboring big city (Toronto/Randstad). If Hamilton is so similar to Eindhoven, why would you go to Hamilton for your internship in the first place?
Well, firstly, I went to Hamilton because of the project of my internship. For this project I am working on a dual Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator (EHA) at the McMaster Automotive Resource Center. I specifically choose for this project such that I can combine my enthusiasm for hydraulics with my master Dynamics and Control. The EHA I am working on is designed to actuate the airfoils of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aka the Joint Strike Fighter, with nanoscale accuracy. The test setup for this has not been used for a while, resulting in outdated equipment. It is my job to upgrade this setup. Additionally, I have to improve the simulations and control of the setup. In the meantime, I supervise a group of undergrads which have to develop a new kind of dual actuator for the EHA. Combining these tasks means that I work both on the practical as on the theoretical level of mechanical engineering, which I like the most about my studies and through which I learn a lot.
To be fair, I would have been an enormous nerd if I only went to Hamilton because the project. I also went for the adventure of going to a totally different country. I have made several nice little trips to the beautiful surroundings of Hamilton and I have been able to cross off many things on my bucket list. I have been to quite a few sport games (Canadian Football and baseball, and I will definitely go to a hockey game), visited some ‘American Pie’-like parties, gone clubbing in Toronto, and, of course, made some pictures of the always imposing Niagara Falls.
If you want to do any of these activities you will have to go to North-America. However, the real adventure cannot be planned. The most impressive moment of the past two months was perhaps a blues band, playing on a porch in a random street, that gave one of the coolest performances I've ever seen.
Although I would not be wrong to say that Hamilton and Eindhoven have several similarities, they also differ quite a lot, and in no way, I can say that I am bored. The internship is an interesting challenge and I frequently mingle with my colleagues and other international students, or I am busy climbing with a group of Canadians. The next two months of my internship will probably look the same. After that, however, the real adventure starts: winter sports in the Rockies and a road trip from Vancouver to LA. I will see you in February!
PS. If you want to go to McMaster yourself, don’t hesitate to send me an email. I can give you quite some tips which can save you a lot of bureaucracy mess.
Main picture: Hiking to one of the many waterfalls of Hamilton. Sef Achten is second on the right. Photo | private archives.
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