Talent from Ethiopia

Group T concluded a collaboration agreement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Its purpose is the further training of talented students so that they can become staff members at the engineering faculties of Ethiopian universities.

Dejene Hursso, Michael Mehari, Weldie Tedla, and Chala Tesera are taking the preparatory year for the master after having obtained a bachelor in their own country. Here's their first impressions.

­The first students from Ethiopia: Dejene Hursso, Michael Mehari, Weldie Tedla, and Chala Tesera. (Photo: Filip Van Loock)

“The training is more practice-oriented than in Ethiopia. Professors here are friendly and to the point. At home, there is a greater distance between students and professors and there are fewer facilities for the students.” The foursome also appreciates the presence of documentation materials and books.

“Ethiopian universities take care of the student's accommodation and food. This isn’t the case in Leuven and so we are responsible for our own meals. That takes a bit of getting used to but it also teaches us to be independent.”

"It gives you the opportunity to learn about and understand each other better. We have the impression, though, that our Flemish colleagues are more reserved, keep a greater distance. We do try to get to know them and participate in sports activities. We would like to have more exchange between our cultures and learn a bit about how our fellow students from Flanders live.”

“We can always take our questions to the International Office or to our professors and that is an enormous help in making us feel at home quickly and finding our way around.”

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