[Translate to English:] Indy in Birmingham.
  • Student

And how are things in Warwick?

After three years of Bachelor courses in my beloved Brabant I felt the need to challenge myself and go on an adventure abroad. I ended up doing research on polymer chemistry at the University of Warwick. While suddenly being all alone in England was a larger culture shock than I had imagined. I definitely enjoyed starting from scratch and building up a new life in this marvelous country.

by
Indy (right) with his roommates.
Indy in Birmingham.

Even before my first workday, I got invited to a kick-off party at prof. O’Reilly’s place to initiate a new academic year. From that moment on I was warmly received in the research group and put on the same level as the PhD’s and PDRA’s. I liked that just like them I’ve got my own desk, had to present my work and chair group meetings. Their enormous drive and diligence had a positive impact on me as I went with the flow working from 9 till 7. I genuinely felt like I was a part of this prestigious paper producing machine.

The campus is lively and is, unlike most British universities, futuristic. I joined the students tennisclub, watched movies in the art centre and even went to parties. Unfortunately my requests to live on campus were declined and therefore I had to find shelter in Coventry, a city that’s a one hour bus ride away. Coventry used to be a prosperous industrial city being home to Jaguar, Land Rover and a large scale weapon production. The latter was a good reason for the German Luftwaffe to bomb the city in 1940. Nowadays Coventry is best described as a ‘melting pot’ which is especially true for the poor neighbourhood I ended up in.

Luckily the house I lived in was fantastic and my fellow Erasmus student housemates were nice as well. With my Italian friend Francesco I spent hours in the kitchen learning how to make ‘real’ risotto, avoiding the English food as best as we could. Don’t get me wrong, the breakfasts, high teas, pies and Sundays Roasts are delicious. But the dinners they serve consist mostly of glorified fast-food. It’s better to make your own.

Whereas my time was dedicated to work during the weeks, I was completely free in the weekends. I’ve taken great advantage of the central location of Warwick and travelled to Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Southampton, Winchester, London and Liverpool. In the end I would say that I’ve learnt a lot about British culture, chemistry and myself during this special placement and I’m looking forward to start my master back at the TU/e.

Indy would recommend going abroad to everyone, despite missing his bike, dog and friends.

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