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New introductory day for international staff members received well

17 januari 2008 - An introductory day for international TU/e staff members. That sounds like a good opportunity to get to know your colleagues and your employer better. Yet there were several things that could be improved, as the Personnel and Organization Department (DPO) gathered from the reactions of participants. Some of these points have already been carried through into the new way in which the introductory day has been offered since the end of 2007. For instance, a workshop has been added to the program. Which is to the full satisfaction of participants, says a survey held by DPO among the first group of 27 international staff members.

Photo: Bart van Overbeeke

Both the duration of the introductory day and the way in which the information is presented have been changed in the new program. Formerly the ‘day’ comprised only a morning or an afternoon, whereas now a whole day is reserved for getting acquainted with one’s colleagues and employer.
In addition to familiar components such as presentations on Dutch culture, the TU/e and practical matters like taxes, the day has been expanded by a workshop, among other things. Willem van Hoorn, who hosts the day on behalf of DPO, explains: “The purpose of the workshop is to create awareness of what it means to live and work in a multicultural community. In order to realize this we asked participants to examine their own cultural standards and values. After that we discussed the issues that may arise when they come into a foreign environment with this system of values. The workshop led to a lot of discussion in the group and met with great appreciation from the participants.”
Another new item was the presentation by an international colleague who has worked and lived in Eindhoven for a year. He shared his experiences of life during and after working hours. This presentation was considered to be one of the most valuable items of the day.
Despite the overall positive assessment of the day, some participants indicated that they would like to have more information about life outside the TU/e.

Another change with respect to the introductory day concerns its frequency. The day used to be offered only 4 times per year for international staff members, which frequency has now been increased to 6 times per year. Willem van Hoorn says that if the interest in these days grows, the number will be raised to 8 times per year. “It is too early days now to enter into that, though”, Van Hoorn informs us.

The next introductory day for international staff members will be on 15 February. You can register for this day via the English-language website of DPO (look under ‘conditions of employment’)./.