It was my introductory session today with loads of information (especially concerning yucky administrative work) and meeting new people. There are supposed to be nine research fellows in my cohort, although only six turned up today. All of us are girls, except Kwan, a short Thai who was working with the World Bank in Bangkok before coming. There is a Dutch girl, Siu Hing, whose parents are Chinese, and my roommate (yes, we have offices!) is cheerful Lenka from Czech Republic. Sonila and Dorcas are from Albania and Kenya respectively.
Besides the research fellows, there are also over forty new students who will be undertaking the Master in Public Policy programme this coming year. Although we don't share similar classes, we are expected to be acquainted with one another through the graduate school's non-academic activities and the sharing of the common space (e.g. coffee machine corner, kitchen, cafe, toilet?) within the school (which has its own building). For instance, I got to know a Hindu-Punjabi girl from Delhi, Neha, who is an urban planner (basically, consultancy work) back home.
I've finally found myself a nifty bicycle from the secondhand shop. The heavy chain lock that I bought soon after was nearly half the price of the bike. The bicycle shop owner convinced me of the futility of a cable lock that gives way after five snips with the wire cutter. Maastricht, like the rest of the Netherlands, have routine-like bike thefts. No one knows exactly why people would bother stealing (mostly secondhand) bicycles in a land where almost every able-bodied person owns a bike. Maybe it is a hobby or sport (e.g. who could steal the ugliest bicycle in Maastricht).
My timetable for the year is hectic, with classes from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm with an hour's lunch break in-between. I also have additional econometrics tutorials from 10am to 12pm on Fridays. Thankfully, there is no "culture shock" here as I had a relatively similar study regime in Differdange.
Cheng
Government fed by the people
Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.
Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?
When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.
Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)
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