4 maart 2010 - “Oh gosh, there are even more of them showing up!” A mild degree of panic is detectable behind the stove at T!NT. It is almost 6.30 on Wednesday night, time for the two-weekly event Eat & Meet. Student assistants Marion de Groot and Rieneke Oudesluijs are dismayed to see that a record number of twenty people is flooding in, far more than they expected.

In October T!NT began to organize communal meals, followed by a film about a specific country or cultural phenomenon. Rieneke: “The fun aspect is the mix of Dutch and international students.” The Mexican student of Mechanical Engineering Juan Gonzales is pleased with the initiative of T!NT. “It is quite difficult here in Eindhoven to get in touch with Dutch students. We have our own international parties, and we don’t get to be invited often to Dutch parties. That is so different from the way things go in Mexico.”

Tonight’s menu features chili con carne. It meets with Juan’s approval. “In Mexico we eat things like this, but it’s a bit more spicy. For me, this is sweet.” Fortunately there is just enough for everyone, even though the small space is crammed a bit with so many people enjoying the meal.

Anne Couillard, a French student at the Design Academy, was approached in the supermarket by Marion de Groot who heard her speaking English with some friends. She did not find it odd at all and was enthusiastic right away. “The Design Academy is like a micro cosmos. It is fun also to meet some TU/e students. Sharing a meal is a perfect way to do this.”

Marion is very enthusiastic about the atmosphere at the Eat & Meet nights. “People show up spontaneously, apparently having taken notice by word of mouth. Perhaps we do need to emphasize from now on that they must register. Fortunately, everybody lends a hand in laying the table, clearing away the dishes and washing up. The atmosphere is somewhat similar to that in a student house”, says Marion.

T!NT would like international students to think along about its program. Do you have some good ideas? Mail them to tint@tue.nl. T!NT also has an English group on Facebook. (SK)

The recipe may be found on www.tuemeetingplace.nl.
Would you like us to savor your culinary prowess? Mail to engcursor@tue.nl.