In ATLAS, all students are encouraged to venture outside of the study in their fifth semester. Many go abroad, some stay at the University of Twente. Today, we hear from two ATLAS, Rob and Frank, students doing their semester abroad in Singapore.
The SUTD is a university focused on Technology and Design and has four main pillars of study, or specialisations. It has a partnership with the UT and offers opportunities to participate in research for exchange students. Rob Verbeek is focusing on Computer Science and took advantage of that by focusing heavily and getting involved in a research project. Frank Kwakkelaar is focusing on Engineering Systems and Design, but has also been studying history alongside that.
Rob Verbeek
“In Singapore, I'm taking a course in Machine learning, algorithms, optimization, simulation and decision analysis. Except for the latter, this is all quite specialized, which is quite different from what I've been doing in ATLAS. I like it though, and I am learning a lot of very interesting new things. I chose most of my courses as a preparation for my 6th semester and masters. Almost all courses contribute to this, and there's also quite some overlap between the courses. Next to these courses, I am also participating in a research project, which is just a lot of fun!
I really like SUTD, the culture is quite chill. People study a lot, you can often still see a lot of people studying at 3 am! I have really good teachers and nice classmates. The SUTD is actually quite similar to the UT, as it’s quite small and you therefore actually get to know quite some people. For some courses, I would even argue that it is quite similar to ATLAS. For all courses, the exams make up only about 50 percent of your final grade. The rest is quizzes, homework assignments, and sometimes projects for which you can direct yourself. The classes are quite small and teachers pretty chill and always up for a discussion.
Compared to other Asian countries, the culture in Singapore is actually quite western. I also sense difference though, for example in how people communicate. Even though the official language here in English, people prefer to call it Singlish; it's very short and fast, and grammar-wise is more comparable to Chinese than to English. I definitely needed to adjust quite a bit, especially in the beginning. Even though I love it here, I sometimes miss the more open, chill atmosphere from Enschede. It is a very good learning experience though, and I am making a lot of new friends.”
Frank Kwakkelaar
“I'm studying a variety of courses, like probability, decision analysis, quality and reliability. I'm also taking some online courses, such as machine learning and Bayesian statistics. I'm also taking a history course, the World since 1400. I like the university. Academically, I must say I have missed the routine and rigour of lectures and pen and paper exams, although it takes getting used to. The teachers are very good, and the students are extremely hard working. But I miss the student activism and life of the UT, where every student can get involved in almost anything. Singaporeans and Chinese students (a majority of international students here are Chinese) are harder to break the ice with, as they tend to keep to themselves more than the Dutch. Oh, and there’s no alcohol allowed on campus!
Adjusting was easy. I lived in Singapore for 6 years, so I know the dialect "Singlish," which is a mix of English, Hokkien, Malay, Tamil, and more. It's a really weird sounding dialect (look it up!). The culture is lively and vibrant. What I really like about Singapore, and Asia in general, is that there is always something going on outside and so many people are out doing stuff. Busy shopping streets, families and friends eating at hawker centres, movie screenings and performances, arcades, bowling, whatever it is, people just go out much more. What I miss, however, is the openness of the Dutch. Singaporeans tend to keep to themselves if they don't know you, and small talk is a foreign concept.
I'm really enjoying the semester abroad! Rob and I have been taking full advantage of our Asian hub location; we've been to Jakarta for a weekend, and for the midterm break, we went to South Korea for a week. We still plan to escape to Vietnam or Taiwan or someplace for a weekend. It's cheap, quick, and something we can only do while here!”
University College Twente offers a unique bachelor’s programme, Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences, to top students. Visit the University College Twente website for more information about the college and Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences website for more information about the bachelor program. Or visit us during the open day, a student-for-a-day or an insight-day.
