Major: Mechanical Engineering
Year in School: Junior
Hometown: Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
It was my first time in the United States when I arrived at UWP at the beginning of this semester. I attend a university in the Netherlands called Windesheim and found out about an opportunity to study at UWP last year. I am a mechanical engineering major and thought UWP would be a good fit. UWP made it easy to adjust to a new culture, providing the other international students and I with services and resources to rely on during our time here. Being greeted with an open and friendly environment everyday has made my time here especially enjoyable. The people I have met are so interested in my culture and this makes me feel very welcome at UWP — I definitely would like to return for a visit someday.
I find it very easy to meet people at UWP because it is a smaller university. Students and faculty are very outgoing here and I appreciate that, especially as an exchange student. I have made connections with many people through my dorm and by getting involved with different activities. Even though we are from all over the world, I also have made friends with many of the students from the international program at UWP. The friends I have met here in the past three months are now good friends and I know I will keep in touch with them after my time at UWP.
As a mechanical engineering major, I spend a lot of time in labs, doing homework and participating in my classes. The field of mechanical engineering is broad and I can go many different directions with it — that is what attracted me to the major. I have taken mostly engineering courses during my time at UWP and I appreciate the consideration the professors have given me as an international student. They realize that English is not my first language and are very patient and understanding. It’s a good thing math is the same in every language! The accommodating professors, friendly classmates and interesting course material have made my first visit to the United States a positive and worthwhile one.
