What benefits I get from being an "active" member of A Dutch society like VSV?
A manifest by Alejandro from Chile
DISCLAIMER: this text relates my own experiences and ideas and does not necessary represent the opinion of the student society VSV Leonardo da Vinci.
I am an international/Erasmus and don't have enough time to get involved!
Is really up to you to take the first step! In my experience it takes a few afternoons at De Atmosfeer to become part of it.
Besides you happen to be IN The Netherlands, so you might want to know a bit more about the Dutch people.
What is De Atmosfeer?
A key part of Dutch, and other c
ultures, student life happens in a bar. De Atmosfeer happens to be one of this, a bar, and is actually located IN the main building of the AE faculty. During the year you will have many occasions to go there, either after a distinguish lecture or presentation or at an Interest Drink (in Dutch Drink = Borrel). Maybe you will like to know that beer is so
ld there for a really reasonable price and many times you also order pizza for a dinner. Thus you have two key component for a nice evening (beer and pizza), now you only need to speak to some people.
But they are Dutch and they speak Netherlands!!
When you have spent some time in NL you realize most Dutch speak English and within the AE faculty this is a fact. So just get off your ass, get a drink, some pizza and speak to someone! At least in my experience they will switch their conversation into English and you will feel welcome. Besides after a few beers you might even dare to order you beer in Netherlands (good luck and remember beer is just bier)
Nice, so now I'm at the bar. Who are this Guys in funny clothes or suits???
Dear international, welcome to Delft and VSV. There is a say here:
"been there, done that, got the T-shirt "
And if there is a place where this is followed as a sacred law, that must be Delft. The funny costumes, with logos, are committee clothes and the guys in suits or in dark blue t-shirts with the VSV logo is almost for sure the board.
Wait, wait aren't we all students! What is a committee and what board?
If you are staying in NL for a short period you just need to know they are a group of students normally BSc that will do some activity during the year.
If you are interested or staying longer (maybe you event want a Job after you finish your studies)
You should know that within Dutch culture is almost compulsory to be part of a committee or a board during your study years. So many active VSV members will devote part of their free time to work with a committee, some of them BarCo are serving your drink right now. Other will organize a big party (if you Are lucky enough you'll participate in some of them) other will organize aerospace relevant lectures, professional visits and trips.
The board is a different case, this guys and girls will stop their studies for a year and be fully devote to running the VSV a student society with almost 70 years of history. But if you want to know more just go an ask! This guy’s are normally really social guys and most of the times they will share a beer and a nice conversation with you.
Interesting, I want to travel and heard there are some trips
There are many visits to companies and day excursions. There are some longer trips but for this you need to be an active member. I myself participate in nice Multiple Day Excursion (MDE) with the Space Department (RVD) to Switzerland some time ago. We spent 8 days visiting companies and institutions and BUILDING UP A NETWORK.
A network?
Yes, student life is the perfect time for meeting people and you never know where they might be in some years from now.
So, this is just a glance of my experience, hope it can help you break the ice. Now go there and EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELFT!!!!
And remember, now you have some reasons for becoming a member:
- Cheap drinks and party
- Relevant Aerospace Lectures and Professional Visits
- Trips and meeting people
- A LOT MORE TO DISCOVER!!!
