Nationality: Mexican Study: First candidature Politic and
Social Sciences (in Dutch) Expected to stay in Belgium: until 2006
From where the attraction to Belgium?
I had been in Belgium before but it was just for holidays.
So, I knew the country a little bit. Afterwards I tried
to study in Europe and my father said that K.U. Leuven
was a very good university. He knew Leuven as a famous
city in the 60s and 70s. In that time, he wanted to come
here but never did. So I applied successfully for Leuven
and I really like it. How did your friends and family react when you
told them that you came to Belgium?
My father first thought I wouldn’t survive the climate
and the food. But afterwards he was so happy and forgot
everything he said. My friends were quite funny because
they thought I would study in French. They didn’t
know a lot of Belgium. I found it interesting as well
because they were convinced that Belgium was in the Netherlands.
When I came to Belgium on holidays it surprised me to
that people spoke mainly Dutch here. Have you learned already something about the Belgian
culture?
The difference in communicating. In the beginning I was
just trying to talk to all people and they were actually
quiet shy. After a while I also kept my distance. And
now I have to make an effort, whenever I meet Flemish
people or people I don’t know, to say hello. Will this academic training increase your possibilities
to find work in your own country? What do you think of
the performance level of the program?
All references I have are from family and friends because
I haven’t followed any university in Mexico. But
the level here is very, very high. What I really like
about K.U. Leuven, is that the professors always go to
the bottom of the aspect they are treating. I don’t
mean that the education in my country is not high but
it’s difficult to compare because we have either
private and public universities and in both of them we
have top ones and others that aren’t so good. Something
I don’t like about Mexico, maybe it’s everywhere
especially in developing countries, is that a foreign
diploma is much more impressive than a local one. They
see something from another country and they already think
it’s better. I cannot say that this training will
open all the doors for me but I will do an effort like
everybody else and I hope that the ones who studied in
Mexico have the same chances than me. Would you like to work for a Belgian company /
organisation in your country when there is a opportunity?
I would like to valorize my knowledge of Dutch so I can
do something extra with what I’ve learned here.
Jerica
Vidic
Nationality: Slovenian Study: Erasmus exchange student in Social
Sciences Expected to stay in Belgium: until September
2003
From where the attraction to Belgium?
For me it was coincidental. I just wanted to have an experience
abroad. I had to choose between the States and somewhere
in Europe. And the only exchange programme for Social
Sciences was here in Leuven. How did your friends and family react when you
told them that you came to Belgium?
My parents where happy about it. It was an opportunity
for me to broaden my horizon. Belgium wasn’t such
a surprise, because my neighbour is married to a Belgian. Have you learned already something about the Belgian
culture?
I have some enthusiastic Belgian colleagues who took me
on a Flanders trip. They tried to explain the differences
between the north and the south and now we’re planning
to make a trip to the other side of the country. Will this academic training increase your possibilities
to find work in your own country? What do you think of
the performance level of the program?
I’ve considered finding work outside my country
but I definitely want to go back because it’s my
first home. But when afterwards the opportunity arises,
I can imagine that my future is here in Belgium. Certainly
when we join the E.U. next year. We don’t have a
lot of people who are qualified in my field and I guess
I have good chances with my social sciences. But I can’t
say that the level in my country is lower. It’s
different but not so different as I first imagined. If
I have the opportunity, I will try to get experiences
also from the States or other parts of the world. Would you like to work for a Belgian company /
organisation in your country when there is a opportunity?
That might happen certainly when it would allow me to
be creative.
Richard
Francis Odidika
Nationality: Nigerian Study: Master in Philosophy Expected to stay in Belgium: until September
2004
From where the attraction to Belgium?
I studied at the University of Ubaga where I chose philosophy
in my first degree. In my Master I studied Conflict
of systematic Peace. My grandmother was convinced
that one day I would study in Leuven because of the reputation
of this university. Now I’m here. Even if I have
my Master already, I want my Master in philosophy from
K.U. Leuven. How did your friends and family react when you
told them that you came to Belgium?
My parents and brothers were happy for me to be able study
in Leuven because I would have a different experience
than my brothers, they all studied at universities in
the United States. Have you learned already something about the Belgian
culture?
I don’t understand the way of greeting. In Belgium
it isn’t common to say good morning. I was a victim
to say good morning to somebody, they didn’t understand
me initially. The way of greeting is completely different
than where I’m coming from. Will this academic training increase your possibilities
to find work in your own country? What do you think of
the performance level of the program?
What I study here will certainly increase my chance of
employment back home. I want to use my experiences in
Nigeria and other African countries. My contacts here
with people from all over the world are important for
a training as a philosopher. It’s an enormous experience.
I can really work towards my dream. I hope I can work
for one of the NGO’s so I do something for my country. Would you like to work for a Belgian company /
organisation in your country when there is a opportunity?
I say yes because now I get something from Belgium and
would appreciate working with them in the different areas
of my studies.
Paudel Rajendra
Nationality: Nepalese Study: Master of Science in Water Resources
Management
Expected to stay in Belgium: until September
2004
From where the attraction to Belgium?
I heard about the scholarship of Master of Resources Engineering.
I like the subject because Nepal has a tremendous working
potential. So I was very eager and applied for this scholarship.
And of course I have a good opportunity to get to know
Europe, at the same time. How did your friends and family react when you
told them that you came to Belgium?
My parents were happy because they realised that studying
abroad is good for me. My friends knew I got a scholarship
and were a little bit jealous because they wanted to have
the same opportunity. Will this academic training increase your possibilities
to find work in your own country? What do you think of
the performance level of the program?
The opportunities we have here are very nice, they will
certainly increase my potential. The academic performance
is high. My mind is open for other opportunities but above
all my priority lays back home. There is great need of
graduates in the field of Resource Engineering. Would you like to work for a Belgian company /
organisation in your country when there is a opportunity?
I would prefer it whenever possible.
Here you can read an interview with Jesus Castillo Coronado, coordinator of the Orientation Days for international students.
Montserrat
Gonzáles Garibay
Jerica
Vidic
Richard
Francis Odidika
Paudel Rajendra