Under the guidance of debate leader dr. Lucas Asselbergs, policy official at the department of Industrial Design, a lively discussion developed in which light was shed on a variety of different perspectives. The audience were allowed to give their opinion on the different propositions, whereby it became evident that the theme of internationalization is still very much cherished among the participants. Patrizia Cacciapuoti, a Master student of Industrial Design, about her participation: “I decided to take part in the discussion because I think it is the only real ‘activity’ focusing on helping students like me. It was really nice to see that there are other students in the same position as me with the same problems regarding integration, language and exams within the TU/e.”
The position of the international student was the focal point of the debate, according to Wouter van Niel, secretary of CHEOPS: “The degree of integration of international students influences education. Integration may be achieved in the study as well as outside it. At this moment neither option is under discussion. A question that may have to be answered prior to all of this is whether the TU/e should internationalize at all. During the debate it was proposed very clearly that this is of the essence, in the area of education, but especially in the area of research.”
At the end of the debate it became obvious that the participants thought that more integration had to be attained. Far more knowledge may be gathered from foreign students, which, according to participants in the discussion, is not being done at present.
How this should be done was a point that was left aside during the discussion. Leader of the debate Asselbergs: “Are we offering a full English-language program, or just a few subjects? Are we involving exchange students in all aspects of student life, or are we leaving them alone to find their own way as a group of foreign students? These are questions that have not yet been elucidated by far.”/.