When I started the master of Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion, there was already talk of many opportunities for internships and/or studying abroad. Now that the time has come, I definitely took advantage of it ... and Princeton as a destination? I couldn't have imagined anything better!

Of course it's a bit different from home, as when I arrived here I didn't know anyone. But with the prospect of spending about five months here, I was certainly going to change that and Princeton didn't make it too difficult for me.

Everyone lives on campus here and has a "meal plan". I thought it was a strange idea and completely unnecessary, when I was told I had to buy one if I was going to live on campus. After all, I've been cooking the best AH Bonus meals at my student house in Eindhoven for years! However, my opinion changed immediately when after a long journey I was able to join a few social students and put together a delicious meal at the buffet.

The American style of university, where everyone lives and eats on campus, gives it a very close-knit feeling, which makes it easy to meet new people and quickly feel at home. In the first week I started trying out all the different dining halls and found out about all sorts of activities that are held weekly. The "Rocky Trivia Night" quickly became a favourite, and you could find me there every Wednesday evening. The movie nights held at the graduate college were also a good place to have a drink and relax with my fellow graduate students.

The terms "graduate" and "undergraduate" are very present here and indicate the difference between master/PhD students and bachelor's students. Unlike in Eindhoven, the activities here are strongly split between the two groups, which I found a bit strange. Fortunately, as a new student here, I didn't have to pay any notice to that and could enjoy the fun and company of both groups. I also got to know some people at one of the "eating clubs", which are kind of like student associations for third and fourth-year undergraduates. Here, the real American college parties were held, which I of course couldn't miss for my integration here.

Outside the university there isn't much to do in Princeton. Fortunately you can reach New York City or Pennsylvania by train in just an hour and a half. Boston and Washington DC are also, according to American, ‘only four hours’ away. Once you're here you'll appreciate the public transportation system at home a bit more, however it works well enough and with New York around the corner, you can't miss a weekend there now and then.

 Although I certainly miss my friends at home, the foreign experience compensates more than enough in new experiences, friends, and memories at the end of the study. Definitely go abroad if you have the opportunity and in my opinion: the further, the better!