Group t and Beijing Jiaotong university open International ... - Groep T

STUDENT in the spotlight
Georgia on her mind
When Isabelle Brees came to GROUP T’s info day in September 2007, she knew exactly what she wanted:
to become an English and history teacher. Because of circumstances beyond her control, she could only
get started in 2009. In the meantime she was working at the aliens’ office in Tienen where her task was
to ensure that all foreigners in the city of sugar received the required papers. She did this for asylum
seekers and for Africans seeking family reunification alike. Meanwhile, experience abroad had become
mandatory in the third year of the program at the Leuven Education College, but Isabelle had already had
a long ride through Asia by then...
Isabelle Brees realised
her final project in
Georgia (USA).
After her secondary education, Isabelle took
on the studies of Applied Economic Sciences.
In her second year, she got to know
the Australian Glen Chadwick of the Union
Cycliste Internationale in Leuven who was later to
become her husband. When the team management
offered her a job after one interview, as an adventurous
20-year-old, she seized the opportunity with both
hands. Her bags were quickly packed and in 2003, she
moved to Taichung, Taiwan. Becoming a commercial
engineer never really was her cup of tea, anyway.
From Chinglish to English
For a year and a half, her activity grid stretched over
Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.
Her job was simultaneous interpretation of Chinglish
to English, and this she usually did from one of the
cars that follows the cyclists to the race director’s car
and to the racers’ earpieces. Furthermore, as assistant
to the director, she was also responsible for arranging
all practical matters like accommodation, catering
and so on. As the only woman in a man’s world
where even the norms of interaction between the
two sexes differ from those in Europe, Isabelle was
forced to have her contract adjusted a few times. The
harsh tempo of the racing schedule, the tough competition
sport and the stress of simultaneous interpretation
sent Isabelle back to Belgium in mid 2004.
Her Australian (now ex-)husband followed her a few
months later and after a two-year relationship they
got married. Their daughter Jade saw the light of day
in March 2006.
Studying at GROUP T
Isabelle had prepared for her return from the Far East
with a successful job application with the Ministry
of Finance where she would start in mid 2004, nine
days after she returned from Asia. For her daughter
Jade’s sake, she looked for a job closer to home after
the birth. In April 2007, she started in Tienen where
she was allowed to take a career break to go back to
studying. Meanwhile, Isabelle graduated with distinction
in her first bachelor year of secondary teacher
education and will combine the 2 nd and 3 rd year training
programs in the academic year 2010-2011. She
will complete all her third-year teaching practice as
well as the final project ‘dewereld@groept’ when she
is in the United States. Isabelle is full of praise for her
lecturers and coaches for the support and the facilities
they offered to set up this program.
Georgia
Isabelle’s fiancé Nicolas Dhont, a transport pilot who
carries out humanitarian missions with a C130 in
areas where the Belgian Defense Ministry provides
aid, will be stationed in a US military town in ‘back
state’ Georgia called Valdosta for three years in the
framework of an exchange program. Isabelle will join
him there as soon as she has completed her examinations
in June 2011. Together, they had already visited
Valdosta and had looked at their future house there.
The move and the accommodation will be arranged
by the army.
Volunteer work
Isabelle relates: “I’ve been to New York once in the
past and compared to Georgia, the atmosphere of
that city seemed more European. The introduction
to the south of the United States was still quite a
culture shock, despite my experiences in Asia. I don’t
have a problem with this because I see other cultures
as opportunities for personal improvement.”
“Labor law in America doesn’t allow me to look
for paid work, but I can devote myself to the local
community. I see myself working as a volunteer in
local schools, teaching English to the many Hispanics
who have difficulties with the language, do homework
supervision and so on. My daughter will be
five by then and able to go to school there as well.
The American school system is different from ours
and differs, furthermore, from state to state. Most
schools in Georgia are Christian and the people are
very attached to religious rituals, also at school.”
The right choice
“Still, we’re not there yet. Now I will have to study and
work hard. Thankfully, my parents help where they can
and I’d like to repeat here what I once said to a journalist
from De Morgen. A better choice than GROUP T I
could not have made. The assistance I got to sketch out
my own study path was natural here. I am now 27 and
reflecting on my own study and work experience I have
to say that such a thing is rather exceptional.”
“My fiancé and I will communicate through Skype
and email. In March, he’ll come to Belgium on holiday.
My parents will be able to come and pay their
daughter and granddaughter a long visit in Valdosta
a year from now.”
John Caluwaerts
(29.04.10) en ‘In Vitro Diagnostica’ (03.05.10).
K. Goyvaerts, BI consulting Real Software: ‘Business
intelligence and development’ (23.04.10).
L. Peeters, general manager Rogil: ‘Market research
and business plans’ (23.04.10).
F. Frederix, program manager Biosensor: ‘Biosensor
technology’ (26.04.10).
P. De Langhe, VP Emergency Lighting ETAP: ‘Organiseren
en organisatiestructuur’ (26.04.10).
T. Debaere, support engineer EADS Secure Network:
‘Spread spectrum WiFi en telecommunicatie’
(26.04.10).
R. Boeckaert, Bayer-Antwerpen: ‘Reach’ (27.04.10).
B. Callebaut, HR manager Dataflow-Leuven:
‘Organiseren en organisatiestructuur’ (27.04.10).
L. Kupers, directeur Science & Communication
Genzyme Flanders-Geel: ‘Biotechnological Production
of Therapeutic Proteins’ (29.04.10) en ‘International
Conference on Harmonization’ (10.05.10).
Y. Parren, consultant Deloitte: ‘Consultancy world
and project management’ (30.04.10).
M. Glassec, researcher IMEC-Leuven: ‘Wireless
systems and standards’ (30.04.10).
I. Craeye, projectmanager Carrefour: ‘SAP: introduction
and exercises’ (30.04.10).
R. Van Eijsden, researcher VIB-Leuven: ‘Micro Array
Technology’ (03.05.10).
M. Op de Beeck, researcher IMEC-Leuven: ‘Mobiele
netwerken’ (08.05.10).
W. Rosier, HR director BAC-Heist-op-den-Berg:
‘Motiveren en leiding geven’ (10.05.10).
F. Peeters, entiteitsmanager Electrabel-Heist-op-den-
Berg: ‘Motiveren en leidinggeven’ (11.05.10).
J. Sas, directeur Coservice: ‘Predictief onderhoud met
trillingsanalyse’(18.05.10).
M. Hotome, managing director Professional Procurement
Consultancy–Beveren: ‘Negotiation techniques’
(18.05.10).
L. Franckx, project manager Arcadis-Deurne: ‘Transport
and the environment’ (20.05.10).
P. Daenens, general manager Delta-ACT-Herent:
‘Starting up your own company’ (21.05.10).
V. De Smedt, research assistant ESAT/K.U.Leuven:
‘Zigbee and UWB’ (21.05.10).
P. Beyls, kunstenaar: ‘Kunst en technologie’
(25.05.10).
J. De Tavernier, hoogleraar K.U.Leuven: ‘Bio-ethiek’
(31.05.10).
J. Knockaert, docent PIH-Kortrijk: ‘EMC in aandrijvingen’
(01.06.10).
B. De Moor, vice-rector K.U.Leuven: ‘ICT & e-health’
(25.11.10).
J. Van Mierlo, hoogleraar V.U.Brussel: ‘Watt kiezen
voor uw wagenpark? De voor- en nadelen van Wattvoertuigen’
(04.10.10.)
R. Vanderbeuren, Bond Beter Leefmilieu: ‘Financiële
stimulansen voor bedrijven en lokale besturen’
(04.10.10).
J. De ridder, Avere Sectie België: ‘WATT Roadshow
2010’ (04.10.10).
GASTDOCENTEN
LEUVEN EDUCATION COLLEGE
M. de Heyst, coördinator toetsontwikkeling
K.U.Leuven: ‘Wiskunde initiatie’ (01.04.10).
W. Van Esh, kunstenaar: ‘Aquarel: de verrassing van
water en kleur’ (19.04.10).
B. Seyen, desktop management assistant: ‘Informatiseren
van geschiedenislessen’ (20.04 en 12.05.10).
G. Dendooven, auteur: ‘Visie en evaluatie van het
project Kick off lerarenopleiding in 2030 (21.04.10).
S. Vander Borght, lerares De Wijnpers Leuven: ‘Vermeerderingstechnieken’
(06.05 en 20.05.10).
B. Verswijfel, leraar: ‘Good practices voor digitale
media uit het werkveld’ (28.06.10).
OP BEZOEK
Prof. Zhu Hengjun en prof. Bai Yanlei van Beijing
Jiaotong University, prof. Xiao Kai van Beijing
Normal University, prof. Worm Verner van het
Copenhagen Confucius Institute, prof. Li Jing van
het Pisa Confucius Institute, prof. Du Xiangyun van
het University of Aalborg Confucius Institute en prof.
Zhang van Brussels Confucius Institute waren van
4 tot 10 juli 2010 op werkbezoek bij het Confucius
Institute at GROUP T.
Een delegatie van Beijing Normal University kwam op
bezoek van 17 tot 20 augustus: prof. Liu Chuansheng,
Chairwoman of University Council; prof. Hao
Fanghua, Vice-President; prof. Chen Li, Director
for Academic Planning; prof. Zhang Jian, Dean of
School of Chinese Language & Literature en prof.
Kiao Kai, Vice-Director of International Office.
Prof. Ding Lieyun, Chancellor of Governing Board en
prof. Zhang Yichuan, Deputy Director of Internatoinal
Office van de Huazhong Normal University waren
te gast op 16 augustus 2010.
Prof. Dr. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor en Rector
van de Universiteit van de Vrijstaat Bloemfontein
(Zuid-Afrika) was te gast op 21 september 2010.
Op 22 september 2010 ontving GROEP T een
delegatie van de Universidad de Cádiz: prof. Ignacio
Tirias, Head of the School; prof. Mariluz Martin,
Erasmus co-ordinator; prof. Antonio Gil, Erasmus
co-ordinator en prof. Javier Ganzález, Subdirector
of International Relations.
EXTERNE ACTIVITEITEN
LEUVEN ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Deloitte – Diegem (28.05.10)
BASF – Antwerpen (11.05.10)
Huntsman – Everberg (15 en 18.05.10)
Alken-Maes (26.05.10)
Beverse Kaasmakerij – Bever (31.05.10)
Genzyme – Geel (29.04.10)
UMICORE – Olen (26.05.10)
NBB – Brussel (29.04.10)
Open Universiteit Nederland – Eindhoven (07.05.10
Jungheinrich – Haasrode (23.04.10)
Andere activiteiten
Cultuurbezoek stad Brussel (02.04.10)
Supply Chain Beurs – Brussel (24.03.10)
EXTERNE ACTIVITEITEN
LEUVEN EDUCATION COLLEGE
Bezoek Jupille Rénoleux – Jupille (11.05.10)
UNESCO Seminar – Amsterdam (27.05.10)
Stadsbezoek Parijs (28.05.10)
Provinciaal Veiligheidsinstituut – Antwerpen
(12.05.10)
Geïntegreerde werkperiode – Brugge (19.04.10)
KARDINAAL MERCIER INSTITUUT
D'ANETHANSTRAAT 33
1030 BRUSSEL
T 02 216 21 96
F 02 245 68 65
INFO@KMERCIER.WENK.BE
WWW.KMERCIER.WENK.BE
GROEP T
Internationale Hogeschool Leuven
Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven
tel. 016-30 10 30 – fax 016-30 10 40
e-mail: groept@groept.be
http://www.groept.be
20 ste jaar gang, nr. 1, 15 december 2010
Inter view verschijnt driemaandelijks
Ver ant woor de lijke uit ge ver:
Jo han De Graeve,
Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leu ven
Hoofd re dac tie: Yves Per soons
Re dac tie se cre ta ri aat: Mar ti ne Grof fils
Interview online: Seany Geuns
Re dac tie raad: Gui do Ver cam men, Stijn Dhert,
Paul Goos sens, Patrick De Rijck, wim Polet,
Ingrid Ilsbroux, Jan Jaspers, Christophe Van
de Weygert
Coördinatie Engelse vertaling: Kristien Van
Hoegaerden
foto’s: Filip Van Loock
Selectie foto’s: Seany Geuns
Vormgeving: EDISON, Leuven,
016-29 24 00
Drukkerij: Artoos, Kampenhout
Op lage: 17.000 exemplaren
Wettelijk Depot: D/2010/2134/5
jg. 20, nr. 1, 15 december 2010
GROUP T - LEUVEN EDUCATION COLLEGE
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