My name is Eliana, and I am an Environmental Engineer. I was born and raised in Colombia. I have been living in Eindhoven with my husband for almost three years. We came to the Netherlands because my husband got a position at the TU/e in 2016.
My first year here in the Netherlands was a little difficult especially for the language because in Colombia you do not have much opportunity to speak a second language. So, I took some English grammar and conversations courses and my second year, I could feel more comfortable to communicate with people. That second year, I contacted Carola Eijsenring because I really wanted to meet new people and improve my English.
I knew about the GIT program on the “Introduction day” that the university offers its employees and families. I started going weekly to the GiT programs and it has been a great experience. I have met many women who, like me, came to a new country with a different language and culture, where we have tasted a lot of variety of food, learned about decoration, craft, dances and many different places in Eindhoven. Also, thanks to the initiative of the GiT program, I have been attending the free Dutch classes where I learn a lot from my lovely teacher Hermine van der Meij. I appreciate the effort and dedication that she has for me to improve my knowledge in the language.
My advice for the new ones and those that have not yet integrated into the program is not to be afraid to join even if you do not have a good command of the English language, because in GiT you will find a family, great persons that would be happy to help you to improve it.
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