Issue 1 Version 1.2

TILBURG INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION

Volume 22 Issue 1

Life at Verbs - Oktoberfest - The first weeks of ....VictorHow to pick up a Dutch girl - Pass it on with ... - BirthdaysBeer of the month - Amsterdam trip - Wall of shame - New Nick’sFace off! - Queen of Romance - Location Loca - Beer of the month

1 I*ESN Tilburg Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 1

Editorial:Hamoen, Janneke, Jinwei, Michael, Vincenzo

Design:Paul Deckers

Photography:Fitra, I*ESN

Special thanks to:Viktor Rönn,

The editorial committee consists of six enthusiastic members of I*ESN, with various backgrounds. We have Jinwei (an article writing buddy who is from China), Fitra (the provider of all the beautiful photography in the magazine from Indonesia), Paul (a Dutch mentor who is the designer of the pretty layout and graphics), Michael (one of our promising writers from Australia), Hamoen (the newest Dutch addition to the committee, who will write for the next magazine), Vincenzo (an Italian writer who will be active for the next magazine), and Janneke (a board member who coordinates the committee).

Introducing the Editorial Committee

2I*ESN Tilburg Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 1

A word from the board... 3Birthdays October 4Pass it on! 5

Table of Contents


Hoi!

Lately, I’ve seen many of you thinking; “Those handsome people in yellow must have the best job ever!”Very true.However, life as a board member is more than just attending the parties and activities. It is a full time job! Especially because a lot of things changed over the summer and we had to set up a whole new organizational structure. We actually started working already in June, long before most of you came to Tilburg. Basically, I*ESN has become our life!Apart from the busy times with I*ESN , I’m also trying to find time to do some sports, attend a few classes of my Master in Management of Cultural Diversity and to manage my own Foundation which is supporting a school in India.

Now, let’s see if I can give you some more insight in what I actually have to do as being the president. Most importantly, I have to make sure that the organization is moving into the right direction, that is, in line with our vision and policy plan. It is my task to keep the overview and know what the rest of the board is doing , while also taking into account external developments that can affect our organization in a positive or negative way. I have to make sure to keep in good contact with people from the Univer-sity that can help us or which we can help, and to keep in close contact with our partner associations of which the number has grown extensively this year. Unlike my other board members, I’m not at the office that much as I have to go to meetings all the time. In these meetings I make sure that the inter-national students are well represented.

As you just read, my tasks are pretty vague… Maybe the only clear thing in my job description is that I have to prepare and lead meetings & presentations. In addition, I’m very motivated to make my new two committees (Research Committee & Social Projects Committee) a big success!Oh, and not to forget, I’m also very much involved in getting our own I*ESN building which is almost, almost, almost there! Once it’s there, I will drink a beer with each and every one of you :-)

A word from the board...


Birthdays October

2 - Ander Prada3 - Thijs van Zijl 6 - Nazli Ceylan Ersoz11 - Ricardo Hurtado13 - Beatriz Modrego Marco 15 - Michaela Klausen18 - Leon de Klerk - Stephen Wintermute19 - Anne Gabrielle Aleso20 - Daniel Mandrella - Martin Potucek22 - Vandya Sharma - Jesus Marin Trusillo24 - Yvonne Petit27 - Nicolas Benavides29 - Fadli Gunawan31 - Stefan Riegger

So far, I have been enjoying these past few months a lot.I enjoy my ‘job’ because I learn something from every aspect of the organization. Being the president also gives me the opportunity to meet lots of interesting and active people and learn a lot from them about leading an organization or a group of people. I enjoy seeing Mark counting the money, Jiska fixing stuff in the building, Janneke designing a flyer, Joyce being excited about the first excursion to Amsterdam and Robert asking every buddy and mentor if they’re happy. We as a board also enjoy seeing the students having a good time! It feels as if the hard work we put into I*ESN pays off. The only thing I have to get used to is staying sober and responsible at parties while under the influence of a chronic sleep deprivation. At those times I wish I was a buddy or mentor ;-)And last but not least, I enjoy meeting all of you; students from all around the world with their own story and own view on life. Just perfect!

Let me finish with one of my favorite quotes, that holds true for all of you:

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles”Keep that in mind,

El Presidente


Name: Yvonne Petit Place of Birth: TilburgCurrent living place: TilburgLanguages I speak: Dutch, EnglishDescribe yourself in one sentence: Lacrosse playing, red-haired, skirt wearing active student ;-)Your Hobbies: Lacrosse, going out, watch moviesWho is the funnies person you know: Angélique van der VeerThree things you cannot live without: Friends, ice cream, sleepThe best vacation you have ever had: Croatia, RovinjThe biggest turnoff in a guy/girl: If a guy smells funny or has a bad breathFavorite Drink: Martini! With some ice and a lemonWhat I would do with 10 million euro’s: Take my friends on a nice holiday, buy all the things I desire and give to charityYour favorite superhero: Clark KentIf you were an animal then I would be: HorseIf you were a crayon, what color would you be: WhiteThings that put you in a good mood: Ice cream, good (live) music, happy people Things that put you in a bad mood: Ugly people, bad weather, having a hangoverSome last words: It ain’t over, till it’s overI am going to “Pass It On” to: Sirli Luik

1- Pass it on!

2- Pass it on!Name: Michiel Matthijssen

Place of Birth: ZundertCurrent living place: Tilburg

Languages I speak: Dutch, EnglishDescribe yourself in one sentence: sorry for the very Dutch name, I am Michiel Matthijssen

Your Hobbies: football, all other sports, music Who is the funniest person you know: the homeless guy in downtown Tilburg that yells a truly meant hello

every morning I see him with his shopping cart.Three things you cannot live without: beef, pork and chicken

The best vacation you have ever had: the past Summer in Cambodia was quite legendaryThe biggest turnoff in a guy/girl: a lack of enthusiasm

Favorite Drink: cherry cokeWhat I would do with 10 million euro’s: buy the northern part of Belgium

Your favorite superhero: Van WilderIf you were an animal then I would be: a husky, together with everyone that ever went to the University of

WashingtonIf you were a crayon, what color would you be: white, that stuff has it all

Things that put you in a good mood: blue skiesThings that put you in a bad mood: scoring own goals with football (I do realize that this sounds like I kick

two of those per game)Some last words: the sky is the limit, always

I am going to “Pass It On” to: Stan Berkers


Mo’s Tongue

Something


Why Tilburg?Hi! My name is Viktor Rönn; some of you might know me as Mega Mindy or possibly the Crazy Swedish Guy. These are nicknames I have received because I have participated in I*ESN events. Yesterday I met a Lithuanian girl at a house party that told me she wasn’t interested in joining I*ESN events. I urge all of you to participate in as much as you can! The board and the committees are working their asses of making sure that we are having a good time, and guess what? They are good at it. About the Lithuanian girl, I think she let go of her plans going into Plato, and I think all of you will be seeing her soon. Since I received the message that I was accepted for exchange at Tilburg University, I have been asked; Why Tilburg? If you are going to Holland, why don’t you just go for Amsterdam? My knowl-edge about Tilburg was not very extensive at that moment. I had three criteria for choosing desti-nation. They were (1) that I wanted to improve my spoken English. (2) I did not want to move too far away from home, as it was important to me that it would be relatively cheap and easy for my friends and family to come visit me, and for me to get home in case it would become necessary. (3) I also wanted to come to a city where there was a rich student life, since that is not really the case for people studying at Stockholm University after having lived in Stockholm since birth. After having considered the alternative locations I came to the conclusion. Tilburg met all my requirements, so I thought: Why not give it a try? I later find out that I was the first student of my university to go on exchange in Tilburg. That was positive, I wanted to get here without any prejudices, and so I did. Since I got here I’ve heard some people argue that Tilburg is a small city, and that there is a risk that I will find the city boring. Some others have compared Tilburg to cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht that they said are so much more beautiful, and even called Tilburg an ugly city. The beauty of a city lies in the eyes of the observer. My belief is that a city is not defined by its buildings and canals, but by its inhabitants.


Why do I consider Tilburg to be such a great city to live in? I meet many people who just like me are here on exchange. The main thing we have got in common is that we have all come to a city where we originally did not know many people. I would say that this is the main reason to why I consider most of the exchange students to be really easy going people who are eager to make more friends. Naturally the Dutch people engaged as mentors and buddies are the same way, since they have made an active decision to take part in our exchange experience with no rewards except from having an awesome time that gives them memories for life. Before I went here I was told that Dutch people are similar to Swedish people in the aspect that don’t approach strangers without a very good cause. My experience is that this isn’t true, at least not among young people. The younger Dutch generation seems genuinely curious on new people and foreign cultures. Yes, Tilburg is not a big city, although it is the 6th largest in Holland, but, what is not to like about a city where you always meet someone you know but didn’t expect to meet every time you go to the University. There is numerous cafés that are crowded every night of the week. It is easy to get to whatever city in Holland by train. I know some people consider it expensive, but as long as you bring a long a few friends it will be worth it wherever you go. I don’t have to work weekends as I always did at home, which enables me to pursue the exchange experience fully. So what is the best thing about living in Tilburg? For me it is the fact that you can do whatever you want to. As long as you keep an optimistic mind-set and stay curious to your environment, I can promise you that you will have the time of your life. I can also tell you that I now know enough about Tilburg to convince any of my friends back home that they should schedule a trip to Bra-bant. For deeper stories about life in Tilburg, please visit my blog viktoritilburg.blogg.seHoudoe!


The colourful mosaic of Indian festivals, which is as diverse as the country, is an everlasting expression of celebration. They are like gems ornamenting the crown of Indian Culture.When it comes to celebrating festivals and honouring time-bound traditions, no other civilization in the world can compare with us in our zest. This diversity of the land leads to Indians celebrating numerous festivals. Apart from the main festivals which are feted all over the country, each state also has its own festivals. The different religions all over India celebrate their own different festivals. We Indians celebrate with light. We celebrate with colour. We celebrate with boat races. We even celebrate by taking a dip into the Ganges which is considered holy. A festival is a time when nothing distinguishes a beggar and an emperor. A mud hut is the same as a royal palace. They both are entitled to it equally. In this article I shall delve into the legend behind a great, possibly the most widely celebrated and anticipated festival in India. Diwali or Deepavali as it was called in Sanskrit; the oldest of Indian languages is the festival of lights. Legend has it that the origins of Diwali go as far back as 5000 B.C.E. Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Ram (A major Hindu god) after 14 years in exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. To celebrate the return of their king, the people of the kingdom of Ayodhya lit up the entire city with earthen lamps and burst firecrackers throughout the city. Diwali also signifies the victory of good over evil as it was during his 14 years in exile that Lord Ram defeated the demon king Ravan and freed the people from his tyranny. Diwali falls on any of the days between mid-October and mid-November depending on the position of the moon. On the day, every house is cleaned and there is the exchange of sweets and snacks with friends and family. Traditionally we worship the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi on this day and engage in many religious activities together as a family. This is a time which is supposed to be spent with your loved ones and so getting together with friends and relatives is not uncommon.


The celebration of Diwali is almost similar all throughout the country. This is a time when every city in India truly displays its beauty and its proud heritage. The cities are bathed in light. The earthen lamps (diyas) are lit illuminating our homes and our hearts. The aroma from the burning of the incense sticks lingers in the air and completely subdues any other scent. The firecrackers add to the beautiful lights everywhere. While the sound of the firecrackers booms in the distance, there are other sounds which fill the air that night. Those are the distinct sounds of happiness which are made known to everyone around by means of laughter or spirited and cheerful conversations. This happiness is also easily noticeable on the wide smile that invariably remains on the faces of the multitude. In truth Diwali is that time of the year when the cities and the people shine in tandem. The reach of the Indian is not only within the borders of India and as a result of this Diwali is also celebrated in many countries around the world. For example a few of the numerous countries in which it is celebrated include Sri Lanka, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK and the US. The traditions of this festival are fol-lowed even in these countries and the beauty of Indian culture is simultaneously imparted to different cul-tures.I would like to end this article by quoting Mark Twain, “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition.” No wonder it is called Incredible India.

I*ESN Tilburg Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 1

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