Boris Boullenger
Geophysicist at TNO Utrecht, Geological Survey of the Netherlands.
“This is a unique opportunity to learn and grow with fellow students from across the world. Crossing borders as you discover new scientific fields and dive into the contents of in-depth courses.”
You ask me what stands out when I think of the Joint Master’s programme. There is really too much to tell you. We all came from different places, with students from almost every continent. The diversity challenged my world view and made my studies even more motivating. This is a unique opportunity to learn and grow with fellow students from across the world. Crossing borders as you discover new scientific fields and dive into the contents of in-depth courses.
I had decided to study abroad during my master’s in Marseille. The IDEA League Joint Master’s programme was exciting yet daunting. Moving to three cities, relocating every five months while studying at some of the best universities in Europe. I was up for the challenge.
Looking back, Delft remains in my heart a perfect student city with brilliant infrastructure always getting you precisely where you need to go. The city is old yet modern and bicycle paths and canals run through its core. The IDEA League students had separate housing around the campus. In that first semester, I recall we spent most of our time studying and getting used to a new teaching style. But we were also often meeting in our free time either to explore the country or the many local sights in Delft.
Zurich was where the connections we made in Delft blossomed into friendships. We all lived together in one building on the west side of the city. Cooking and prepping for exams together and challenging each other in the evenings to go deeper into the material. It inspired me to try things I had never done before.
“The Joint Master’s programme in Applied Geophysics was a catalyst for many things. It provided me with the knowledge and methods to pursue a PhD at TU Delft and obtain a position at TNO, where I now work as a geophysicist. If you are considering following this programme, I would say do it.”
I certainly felt challenged in Zurich when several classmates invited me to join a weekend ski trip. Although I hesitated at first, as I had not really planned for anything and had no ski clothes, I soon found myself on a snowy peak. There I was, the only person dressed in a light jacket and jeans, descending the slopes of Switzerland on an adventure. I remember it as a fun day, underlining the importance of overcoming trepidation.
In the Gothic city of Aachen, where we headed for our final stay, winter descended the entire group of IDEA League students into a focused mood. We prepared for our theses and branched out in our own directions. The network of friends and connections I now have is very valuable. We stay in touch, still calling each other from time to time to discuss our work, current events and our young children.
The Joint Master’s programme in Applied Geophysics was a catalyst for many things. It provided me with the knowledge and methods to pursue a PhD at TU Delft and obtain a position at TNO, where I now work as a geophysicist. If you are considering following this programme, I would say do it. You might run into some challenges along the way. Be grateful as they will only help you grow and learn more about yourself and the world around you.