Rahib Al Zaher (26), Lebanon
17 Mar 2011
MSc in Mechanical Engineering, specialization in Biocompatible Design, Delft University of Technology
I didn’t know anything about Holland except that they play football there, that Heineken tastes really good and they have the best milk cows. I just trusted the advice given to me by my aunt’s husband, who is Dutch, who urged me to come study here.
Last year, I was selected along with 11 other students to design, build and race the Nuna4. Nuna4 is a car powered by solar energy alone. TU Delft students have been participating in this project since 2001. They won the title in their first year of participation and have never lost it since.
Our team was very special. In addition to me (from Lebanon), there was one American, two Belgians and one guy from Curaçao. That made our team very diverse and really challenging. Working with an international project group is challenging, but at the same time really useful. You get to learn new habits, new ways of doing things and you become more open.
All the facilities you need
Student life is great here. Most of my friends are Dutch and they are really great.
Unfortunately, housing is very expensive, but in the city you have all the facilities you need (sport, cultural and night life).
Even though I am a very good student and have done a lot for the university, I can’t get a scholarship, so I advise you to arrange a scholarship before you leave for Holland. The rules and regulations here are very annoying and strict, so you have to learn to be patient. Whenever you don’t know something, just ask - and people will help you.
I also suggest that you learn to speak Dutch well. It saves you a lot of unpleasant comments and will bring you a lot of compliments. Above all, enjoy your time here!
