Aulia Tirtamarina from Surabaya, Indonesia studies International Civil Engineering Management. She is currently undertaking an internship with a consultancy firm. Ever since her childhood Aulia Tirtamarina wanted to study abroad to see how people in other countries live and work. ‘After finishing the Transport study programme at the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in my hometown Surabaya, I received a joint scholarship from the governments of Indonesia and The Netherlands. The scholarship provided the perfect opportunity to fulfil my international ambitions. The Netherlands pay for the scholarship because there is a lack of technicians. I will probably stay here for a while, but the world is wide and eventually I will go back to Indonesia to help build up the country.’

Shock
Aulia is happy that she came to Groningen now, but the first days in the Netherlands were quite a culture shock. ‘The Dutch are very straightforward. During one of the first days I was here, my classmates were not quite satisfied with my work and became a bit annoyed. I was really surprised. Indonesian tend not to show their irritation and anger, they will keep still.’
On the same occasion Aulia discovered that the Dutch also separate business and their private feelings. ‘Only five minutes after this incident, one of the classmates came up to me and offered me a cup of coffee in a very friendly tone. To me that’s weird! Another thing I found out is that ‘yes’ means ‘yes’, and ‘no’ means ‘no’. If you ask someone to help you, they either say ‘yes’, or ‘no, I’m busy’. In Indonesia the answer will always be ‘yes’, but at the end of the day it often doesn’t mean a thing.’

Who’s the boss?
Currently Aulia is the middle of a six-months’ internship with DHV, a consultancy firm in Groningen. ‘I make calculations about the water system for the Municipality of Haren, a town a few kilometres south of Groningen. The main objective is to make sure that the urban areas stay dry.’
‘I do not only gain technical knowledge and skills, I also learn a lot about how people work. What immediately struck me was that it is very difficult here to see who’s in charge. In Indonesia, the manager has a separate room with luxurious furniture and the best equipment. My boss does not have a separate office and his computer monitor is much smaller than mine. I expressed my surprise at this and he explained that – with the work I do - I simply need a better computer system than he does.’

Blue toes
‘I do miss Indonesia, obviously, but not as badly as I feared. I very much enjoy studying here. Teachers are always willing to help and it’s easy to contact them when you need them. I also made a lot of friends, for instance at the Blue Toes, the student dance club that I joined. I’m also a member of Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Groningen, the student union for Indonesian students in Groningen. They help Indonesian students find their way in Groningen and they organise social events, like cooking Indonesian dinners. Every year they hold a sports tournament in Groningen in which Indonesian students from all over the Netherlands compete. No need to feel homesick in Groningen!’


Text and photo: Luuk Steemers

I studied Civil Engineering in Diponegoro University in Semarang Indonesia.
In August 2008 I started with the study programme International Civil Engineering Management at Hanze University Groningen. I have been here for 11 months.
I really like to stay here! The city of Groningen is not very crowded like the big cities in the Netherlands, but also provides several entertaining places. The biggest difference between the Netherlands and Indonesia, according to me, is the weather. The lowest temperature in Semarang is about 27 C. Here it could reach -10 or colder in winter! After staying here for several months, I found Groningen is a city in complete order, so different with urban areas in Indonesia.

The study programme at the Hanze University isn’t very different compared to my home university. What makes the difference is that here I have international friends, and it obviously broader my view. It is kind of fun to work with students of different nationalities.

In the future I want to work in a Construction Company, here in the Netherlands, or even out of the country. After having several years of working experience I would like to continue my study in master.

I come from Cameroon. After High school I studied Civil Engineering at the National Advanced School of Public Works Yaoundé. At the end of the course I received the Higher Technical Diploma in Civil Engineering. After my study I worked for two Japanese companies. I participated in a rehabilitation project of a football stadium and a project of water supply in rural areas. At the end of the second project I decided to further my studies in Civil Engineering in Europe. 

Why Hanze University Groningen?
I am in the Netherlands for 16 months now. I have chosen the city of Groningen because it is a very safe city in the Netherlands. I am happy the Hanze University Groningen offers the program International Civil Engineering Management in English. The program is more practical than theory. That’s what I like most about it! I have learned a lot about different cultures from my classmates (Polish, Indonesian’s, Germans, Hungarian, Finish and of course Dutch culture). I have also learned some Dutch language such that I can now make a short conversation in Dutch.

Groningen Student Union
Last year I was admitted to be a member of the Gsb (Groningen Student Union).
I was the only coloured member and also the only African member in the group.

I have hardly missed a group meeting! But at this moment I’m not really active. Not only because I don’t have time but also because I was demoralised after the results of the last elections to represents the student council. Personally I had the second highest votes; hence I’m very glad that I contributed greatly to achieve the 2 seats. Nevertheless I really like the inspiration of the Gsb.

Internship I’m currently carrying on my internship with BESIX Nederland Branch, a construction company.  I’m working on the construction of a five floors underground car parking facility, situated at the heart of the city of Rotterdam. My main duty in this project is Quality Control. I check the retaining wall casted in reinforced concrete panels from water leakage as excavation proceeds and I make up a report.

Currently,  I am attending the final year of the International Construction Management programme at Hanze (UAS) Groningen. Last year, after finishing the programme of Real Estate Management and Appraisal in China, I came to the Netherlands. I wanted to study abroad so I could challenge myself in obtaining a Bachelors degree and experiencing living in a Western country.

Like most Chinese students, I am the only child in my family. So I have been “protected” by them very intensively. I don’t need to worry about anything. Before I came to the Netherlands, my father asked me what I wanted to do when I graduated in China. I answered without any doubt: study abroad! The purpose of human life is to experience. Why don’t give yourself a chance? So I did by coming to Groningen!

Life in Groningen is quite easy and colorful. Because it is a student city and also the capital city of the province of Groningen, you don’t need to worry about making friends and finding the facilities you need. Students here are from all over the world and Dutch people speak fluently English! Life here is cheaper than other parts in the Netherlands. So, studying in Groningen is an easy choice to make.

The weather in Netherland is very different from my home town. The wind here really amazes me a lot when I a cycle across the city, but it is a good free sport giving you a healthy body. 

After a period of time of studying at Hanze (UAS), I found that I could always communicate with my teachers and the International Student Office (ISO) concerning my questions and problems. They are really friendly and understanding.
 
When going somewhere unfamiliar, you will encounter some difficulties. I always tell myself: ‘nothing will be smooth, even when you are at home’. You just need to go ahead and give it a try, and you will become stronger.

Studying ICM at Hanze (UAS) Groningen includes at least a half year internship, which is really important and practical for students to get familiar with the study in practice.  Momentarily, I’m starting with my internship. With the support  of my teachers I will start my internship at the Department of Real Estate at Gemeente Assen (the government of the city of Assen). The project in which I will participate is called ‘De Nieuwe Kolk’, involving working on the new movie theatre in the city centre. I really appreciate the chance to work there. Even if I need to be on the road for over an hour by bicycle and train in the morning and in the evening. I always say; there is always a rainbow after the storm.

In September 2006 I came to the Netherlands. I am from Poland, where I was studying European Civil Engineering. I decided to study in the Netherlands because I think this country has a good educational system. After one year of studies in the Netherlands I could get another bachelor diploma. This means that after four years I could get a Polish Bachelor and a Dutch bachelor. In my opinion Groningen is a very colourful place. It has a lot of activities for students. I like going to school and I like the ACLO sports centre. I meet a lot of people there from all over Europe. The biggest difference compared to Poland is that almost everybody is speaking English here. So this is a very good opportunity to improve my language skills. The most important thing I have learned here is to work in groups. It is good to gain experience with dividing the different tasks over the group members. I think this is a good preparation for working in the professional field. My plans for the future? Maybe I will take an internship in the Netherlands. First I want to finish my bachelor. And after that I will find a job or take a master degree.

I work at Witteveen & Bos, one of the largest engineering firms in The Netherlands. At the moment I’m working on a project concerning fish migration in relation to pump houses, dams etc.

I would love to work as a project manager, especially water management. This really caught my eye after I came to Groningen. I really like the fact that the teachers at Hanze University are always available for questions or when you need help on a project. Also, there’s not a lot of classes. In stead, you’ll do a lot of projects, which is good, because it teaches you how to work on one in real life!