My name is Fatou Cissé Ndiaye, I'm 22 years old, and I study Environmental Engineering at the Federal University of Viçosa in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. I started the bachelor’s degree in 2022 and I'm currently in the eighth semester.
Why did you choose for an internship in the Netherlands?
Ever since I started university, I have had a dream of doing an exchange program. While researching available opportunities related to the sanitation field I want to work in after graduation, I realized that the Netherlands is a world reference, especially when it comes to water technologies. So, it would be perfect for me to combine a big dream with the chance to learn and develop alongside highly qualified professionals.
What is the subject of your internship? Can you tell us something more about it?
My internship consists of evaluating the performance of a nanobubble generator device. Nanobubbles are currently the subject of a lot of research, and it was a topic I didn't know much about before coming to the Netherlands. Increasingly, the market is looking for devices that can generate them effectively, since nanobubbles have several qualities that set them apart from regular bubbles, such as remaining in solution for long periods, allowing increased gas dissolution and having a large gas-liquid interface. Because of these characteristics, they are useful in many different fields, such as water treatment, agriculture, and the food industry.
How did preparations go before your trip
After I was accepted for the internship, I had a lot of help from NHL Stenden throughout the entire process of getting my visa, sorting out insurance issues, and handling all the necessary documentation. Other interns, many of whom I hadn't even met in person, were very helpful in explaining the cost of living in the Netherlands, helping me find a place to live, and giving me relevant tips for my stay.
What tips do you have for students who want to go to the Netherlands.
My first tip is to look for a house immediately after you're accepted for the internship, because that's usually the most complicated part of the process due to the housing crisis the country is facing. Besides that, it's a good idea to get in touch with interns who have already been, or currently are, at the institution where you'll be working, so you can align your expectations. Finally, it's worth researching more about Dutch culture and having an emergency financial reserve for the first few months.
What stands out to you here in the Netherlands (for example, compared to how things are (going) in Brazil)?
Comparing with Brazil, what stands out to me the most here in the Netherlands is the quality of life, the sense of safety, the fact that you can do almost everything by bike and the integration of public transport.
Write a comment