In the spotlight: Alexandre Pellerin!

1.       Who are you?

a.       Name: Alexandre Pellerin
b.      Age: 24
c.       Hometown: Saint Quentin en Yvelines (France, île-de-france)  

2. Studies

a.       What? Mechanical Engineering
b.      What year? 5th (last one
 
3. What do you do apart from studying (hobbies etc.)?
 
During my free time, I go to the ACLO Association to do some sports with some friends of mine like tennis, football and so on. From time to time I also like taking my bike and riding during the whole afternoon around the city of Groningen. Everything here is made for bikes! In evening, as soon as I can, I try to go to bars in the downtown and join my friends there. Plus, When I have enough time in my schedule, I also try to travel in the country of Netherlands or even abroad as much as I can.
 
4. Why did you choose to go abroad?  
 
I have actually already spent 6 months of my life abroad, in Germany. I had a 6 month internship in Daimler, in Stuttgart. I met many people from all over the word such as Lebanon, Dubaï, Mexico, US and Germany of course. Discovering new cultures and learning another way of life is according to me absolutely interesting. This has given me the desire to go and study abroad and share new cultures with foreign people
 
5. And why Holland / Groningen?
 
I was first searching for a school where it was possible to study in English. So far, no one from my French engineering school had been to Groningen. However, most of my teachers at my French engineering school (UTBM, France, Belfort) told me that the Dutch people could speak English very well. Plus, I was said that Groningen was a really small nice city with a lot of charm as well as an amazing and fabulous student life. And after my research on internet, I have finally decided to go and study in Groningen.
 
6. Describe your first day in Holland / Groningen.
 
I remember that the first day I arrived in Groningen, it was snowing a lot. It was very cold and windy. I knew that the weather in the Netherlands was not as hot as in south of California, but I was expecting much better! Nevermind, the first day I was in Groningen I also met a lot of international students at my place.  They first came to me and started talking which made me feel comfortable fat
 
7. What’s been your most positive experience so far?
 
8. And the most negative one?
 
Once I was sick and I had to go and see a doctor. Unfortunately, the health care system does not work as I was expected. I had to wait a long time before being cured. The only answers I got from the doctor for my throat ache was “drink hot water”.
 
9. Describe the Dutch in 3 words…
Bikes, blond hair and tall.
 
10. What’s the main difference between (country of residence) and the Netherlands?
The Dutch people use much more bike than us, French people. I think when I get back hom to France, I will buy bike and try to use less my car.
 
11. What do you miss most about home (and you can’t say ‘friends and family’!)?
What I do miss is French food! I wish I could bring French food here!
 
12. Does Holland live up to your expectations, is it like you thought it would be?
The Netherlands has lived up to my expectation I could have had. Except that as I said before, since I am here, I have not seen the sun that much…
 
13. What do you think of ESN so far?
ESN is a great student organization. Many activities are organized every single week. No time to get bored. The fact that the two schools of Groningen are gathered in one student organization is absolutely cool.
 
14. What are your goals for this term?
After my semester in Groningen, I may go to the USA for an internship and continue to meet people from every where and learn new cultures again.
 
15. Why would you or would you not recommend Groningen to your friends back home?
I would recommend Groningen to my friends since the “small” city offers many advantages for a student. I do not know here anybody who is unhappy about his stay in Groningen.