The Pre-Departure Meeting is a great opportunity to say farewell to our outgoing exchange students and help you get ready for your international adventure abroad!
During the event, you’ll receive practical information and useful tips to help you prepare for your time abroad. You’ll also have the chance to meet incoming and outgoing exchange students during our country-specific small group sessions, where you can connect, exchange experiences, and get to know each other.
We look forward to seeing you there and helping you get ready for your exchange!
If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at events-ces@utwente.nl.
Please note: all exchange students are expected to attend the presentation at 19:00, even if there is no group meeting for your country.
TIME
ACTIVITY
PRESENTER
LOCATION
19:00
Opening presentation for outgoing students
Jaap Stout, Exchange Coordinator, Faculty of BMS
Waaier 1
19:05
UT ambassadors
Joe Laufer, Senior Advisor, Alumni Relations
19:10
Pre-departure practicalities
Jaap Stout
19:30
Student presentation: culture shock
Rienke Mooiweer, Secretary ESN Twente & former outgoing student
19:35
Health & safety abroad
19:45
Erasmus Student Network
Rienke Mooiweer, Secretary, ESN Twente
19:50
Closing of presentation
20:00
Country group sessions
See information below
Waaier Ring Upstairs & Downstairs Canteen
21:00
Country groups conclude
From 21:00
ESN Drinks
ESN Twente
Sports Centre Canteen
Arrive and be seated
Jitske Rijken, Exchange Coordinator, Faculty of EEMCS
Waaier 2
Opening presentation for incoming students
Jitske Rijken
19:15
19:25
Student presentation: reverse culture shock
Kai Kojima, former exchange student
Manuel Ruz, Activity Coordinator, ESN Twente
Quiz: Who is the best UT ambassador?
19:55
Our Country Group Sessions are a great opportunity for outgoing and incoming exchange students to meet, connect, and share experiences and practical information about their destination country.
Degree-seeking international students and students who have recently returned from their exchange are also welcome to join and share their experiences.
Please note: the list of country groups is subject to change.
Country
Group leader
Location
Australia
Liz Louden; Dr. ir. Dorien van de Belt
Waaier Canteen Downstairs
Austria
Waaier Ring Upstairs
Canada
China - Hong Kong
Czech Republic
Estonia
Finland
France
Laureen Hamon, ESN Twente
Carré 2K
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Sara Careaga Cacace
Carré 2G
Japan
Kai Kojima
Carré 2H
Mexico
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
South Korea
Jaap Stout + Anne Leijzer
Carré 2L
Spain
Tahnee Smits
Carré 2M
Sweden
Sarah Kotter
Carré 2N
Taiwan
Turkey
Bilge Imren, ESN Twente
UK
USA
No group? Join us at the Waaier bar downstairs
Nell Zegers, ESN Twente
Waaier Bar Downstairs
Roaming staff member: Jitske Rijken
There is no structured information provided by UT during these sessions. Rather, the informal meetings are a chance for outgoing students to ask questions about their destination country and/or partner university. Topics of conversation could include housing, cultural differences, food, cost of living, language, transport, tourist highlights etc.
Please note: country groups are only organised for the countries with registered outgoing students. The location of each group will be indicated on screens at the event. Only the larger groups have a leader.
ESN Twente invites you to join them for drinks after the event. Continue your conversations and make new friends at the Sports Centre Canteen from 21:00 - 23:00. The first 100 students get a free drink.
Below you can view the presentations from the Pre-Departure Meeting 2025.
Are you interested in meeting up with a local UT alumni for a coffee in your destination city? These fellow UT'ers offer a unique local perspective and can be a valuable resource during your exchange. Complete the registration form and the UT Alumni Office will be in touch.
Pre-Departure Meeting Summer 2023