- Campus
- 27/06/2025
And how are things in Singapore?
Jurre Wolters, master’s student in Electrical Engineering at TU/e, swapped quiet Brabant for buzzing Singapore. Halfway through his internship, he’s working on hydrogen tech, enjoying rooftop views — and grabbing burgers with an 80-year-old former executive. An unforgettable adventure abroad.
"In my first year at TU/e, I read a piece on Cursor written by a student abroad. I told my father then: “It’s no longer a question of if I’m going to do this, but where and when.” Now, 5.5 years later, I’m in Singapore. Typing this piece from my room on the 17th floor, with a view of the entire Singapore skyline. I’m only halfway through my internship, but it’s already been an incredibly beautiful adventure."
"After a 14 to 15-hour journey, I arrived at Changi Airport, and there I was — completely alone on the other side of the world in a city of 6 million people. And that coming from a small village of just 600 inhabitants. When I moved to Eindhoven, it already felt like moving to a big city. The next morning, I was able to move into my room. After receiving the key, I messaged my family: it wasn’t a scam! I actually have a room on the 17th floor, and the complex really does have a swimming pool and its own gym."
“The company I rent from not only provided a roof over my head but also a group of friends. Renting the room includes being part of a community, with all the other young professionals who also live in one of the properties. These events bring everyone together, and that’s how I met a great group of friends on my very first Friday in Singapore. I was immediately invited to go out with them the following week to Marina Bay Sands, and every Saturday there’s a football match that I can join.”
“All people in Singapore are very friendly. One of the funniest interactions I had was with an (almost) 80-year-old snack bar employee. After I ordered, he asked me where I was from, and after a short chat, he started telling stories about how he once held a high position at a transport company. He lived in London for many years and returned to Singapore for retirement, but after sitting at home for a couple of years, he got bored and decided to go back to work, this time flipping burgers at a snack bar. Two weeks later, I went back and he recognized me. We had lunch together while he told all kinds of stories about when he was my age and moved to Europe.”
“At the end of my first week, it was May 4th, and I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony here in Singapore. It’s organized every year by the Dutch embassy. This time, it was co-organized by an intern I had met just three days earlier. The memorial took place at the Kranji War Memorial, where all the victims of World War II who fought for Singapore’s freedom are remembered. There are also 26 Dutch soldiers buried there. It was very special to observe two minutes of silence for them. Without their efforts during the second world war, I wouldn’t have the freedom to be doing an internship here in Singapore.”
“In preparation for my internship, I got in touch via LinkedIn with a Dutchman who was starting a company here in Singapore in the offshore industry. The owner wants to do something with renewable energy and he tries to import a hydrogen fuel cell. My internship focuses on everything surrounding the import of the hydrogen fuel cell. I'm allowed to pitch the business plan to potential clients, and it's really cool to work directly on a project for a greener future.”
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