My name is Wietske van der Weg, and since I decided to take a study break before my internships, I’m one of the participants of this study tour.

Until now I have enjoyed the spare time with being active at the rowing club Euros, as a rower, member of several committees, and now mostly with coxing my own rowing team. Together with activities for the student representations committee of my study (Technical Medicine, specialization Robotics and Imaging), having fun with my dispute ‘Nefertiti’ and of course visiting friends and family, this has left no space for investigation of other cultures.

Although being very busy raises my level of performance, after the firth year of my study I just want to enjoy the study tour (which will keep me busy enough), travel, maybe work a little bit and relax for half a year...

My name is Myrthe and when we are going to Japan I will be 24 years old. My roots lie in Rucphen, a small village in the south of the Netherlands, so I am raised in the exuberant ´Brabantse´ way. Therefore I hope that we are going to eat a lot of nice food (like fish) in Japan!

I am the only Technical Medicine student of the master track Reconstructive Medicine who participates in this study tour. At this moment I am busy with my clinical internships and I am moving every three months through whole of the Netherlands. Unfortunately, this leaves me almost no time to participate in social activities, but I try to grab a beer (or one or two more) on the Thursday evenings when I return to Enschede. In my spare time I love to sing along with all sorts of music, so karaoke will be a piece of cake.

Besides more knowledge of the enormous differences in culture between the Netherlands and Japan, this study tour will give me the opportunity to broaden my horizon in a scientific manner. I am really looking forward to the preliminary research and activities with the other participants and of course to the take off in November. My chop sticks are already packed, Japan here I come!

And don’t forget: Laughter is the best medicine!

Hi, my name is Gert-Jan ter Boo. I was born in Hengelo (ov) 23 years ago and I still live in the beautiful village Ambt-Delden, situated near Hengelo (ov). I am already a sixth year student Biomedical Engineering of the MCTE-master track. This study year I hope to finish all my Master courses. After the study tour I am planning to go on an internship abroad. I am trying to get a vacancy in South-Korea, very close to Japan!

One of my five years already on University I was part of the board of Paradoks, the board was named Proprioceptie. This included one year delay, but it was worth every month, I had a lot of good and also bad, but educationally considered, very useful experiences. Besides this year I did a lot of committees in Paradoks, smaller and larger ones.

Next to my study I love to hang out at small airfields in Germany and Holland to fly glider planes. This is also the reason why I am president in the board of soaring association DZC Vleugellam this year.

I joined the study tour because I think it will be a real complement to my time on the University and of course a great experience. I hope I will see what Japan and Japanese (business) culture is about.

Finally, I would like to state a short comment for the ‘wise words’ section “Quod sis, esse velis nihilque malis”.

I really look forward to participate in the assignments and activities of the studytour, and I think we will have a splendid time in Japan!

Hello I am Maj, a fourth year student of Biomedical Engineering. I am born in Enschede and I think I will never leave this city… But wait, I go to Japan: I do leave the city!

Last year, I started the master in the track ‘Human Function Technology – Clinical Physics’. I really like the extra physics-courses in the program. I finished my bachelor with an assignment at the Medisch Spectrum Twente, and liked working in a hospital-like-environment.

Besides my study, my main hobby is playing clarinet. I participate in several projects like musicals and ensembles, and I am an active member of the Student Wind Orchestra of Twente (SHOT). My other hobbies are singing in a choir, swimming and hiking. (My boyfriend and I walk the ‘Marskramerpad’, which is a national walking way from Den Haag to Oldenzaal. We just finished the stage to Amersfoort.) During the holidays, I work as a nursing assistant in a home for the elderly.

It would be a great experience to travel through Japan, to see the cultural differences in daily life and in medical companies compared to The Netherlands. I am curious at which level we will be able to communicate with the Japanese People :-). After the study-tour, I planned to travel through Japan for some longer time.

Hi, I’m Dagmar Ouweneel and I will participate on this study tour to Japan. I’m born in Gouda, but I’ve lived in Breda for the biggest part of my life. I’m studying Technical medicine, specializing in Medical Signaling. After the studytour I’m finishing my masters degree with two years of internships and a graduation project.

At this moment I’m a member of the organization committee of the biggest student relay race running event in the world, the Batavierenrace. With almost 8.000 participants our event is noted in the Guinness Book of World Records. My responsibilities are external relations and facilities. It is amazing to see what a project like this withholds and it will be even more amazing to see it succeed on the 25th op April.

Besides organizing the Batavierenrace I’m playing volleyball and beachvolleyball at Harambee. Besides playing volleyball, I train a ladies team once a week. Furthermore I love to travel, especially walking long distance paths in foreign countries. I’m very curious about the way of life in Japan, as well as the nature and the culture.

My name is Remy and I’m a third year Technical Medicine student. I grew up in the lovely village of Bovensmilde, that’s near the town of Assen in the north of the Netherlands. At the start of next college year I hope to have finished the Bachelor phase with success. This means that in de year 2009/2010 I’ll have tot start with the Master phase. I’m not sure yet which of the Master tracks I will choose. Most likely it’ll be Robotics and Imaging.

In my spare time I’m active as the treasurer of my sorority Xoun. Whith Xoun, a group of twenty-five people, we have a drink every two weeks and some great activities during the year. One of my hobbies is playing the guitar. During spare moments I pick up my guitar and play a little, just for the fun of it. Besides that I like to play badminton once a week.

When I heard this year’s study tour was going to Japan, I immediately applied. When the committee heard I had made some short movies in the past they asked me if I would like to make one during the study tour as well. So that’s how I got in to this tour with the task of making a movie that will help all participants memorize the tour when it’s long over. So when they watch it when their old and grumpy, it will bring back a large smile on their faces.

Hey! My name is Martijn van Mourik, 21 years old and at the moment a third year student Technical Medicine (TM). After finishing my Bachelor’s degree this year I will start studying a master in TM. At the moment I still have to choose a mastertrack but most probably I will choose Robotics and Imaging. I grew up in Zeewolde, which is a town in the middle of the Netherlands.

Besides studying I have quite a lot of things to do: sports, music, movies, working, drinking beer with friends and lots more so I have always something to do.

I am looking forward to travel to Japan and visiting the companies, hospitals and other interesting places, but also the cultural and leisure activities! A study tour is a great opportunity to take a look at differences and similarities in ways of thinking in our subject: medical technology. Furthermore it will provide me a lot of new experiences, much fun and a period in my study which I will hopefully remember for quite a long time!

Hello my name is Maryse van ‘t Klooster, one of the lucky ones to travel in November to the land of the rising sun. I was born 24 years ago on a Thursday morning in April at the border of the Veluwe in a town called Nijkerk. I am currently working on the clinical internships of the fifth year of Technical Medicine, with medical signaling as master track specialization. At the moment I’m putting my Matlab EEG-signal analyzing skills in practice at the neurology department of the MST.

Besides studying, I like to meet with friends, salsa dancing, read books (at the moment all with Japanese themes), running and spinning. Furthermore, I like cooking and especially baking pies. The curiosity to travel the world I have recently developed. Last summer I drove through Europe in a convertible and visited 11 countries in total.

So the curiosity to see something more of the world made me apply for this study tour to Japan. I am eager to learn about the newest developments in the medical-technical area since Japan is one of the most innovative countries of the world. I believe it will be a great supplement to the theory and practice in my study. I’m excited to experience the unique Japanese mix of the newest technologies, the (old) traditions and (business) culture.

My name is Jasper Jochem and I am a 3rd year student Technical Medicine. This year I will hopefully finish my bachelor so I can start with the master track Robotics and Imaging next year. Next to my study I am also interested in computers, software, user interface design and human technology interaction. That is why I like my work as a software developer at Student Solutions Twente. In my spare time I like to play volleyball at Harambee.

I think university is not all about learning what is presented to me, but about developing myself. That is why I joined the Symposium Committee of Study Association Paradoks last year. We organized a symposium called ‘Nanomedicine - the next big thing?’. I hope this study tour will bring me a lot of new experiences and a lot of fun!

Hello, my name is Lisanne de Boer and I’m twenty-one years old. I grew up in de lovely city of Purmerend where my parents still live. When I turned 18 it was time for a big change and I moved from the west to the east of Holland. In Enschede I started studying Technical Medicine, which I do with great enthusiasm.

In Enschede I am active in the student association Taste and the sorority Bastet, this guarantees a lot of fun during my free time. To make sure I stay in shape I joined the speed skating club “de Skeuvel”, where I skate once a week (or I at least try). In summertime when all ice has melted it’s time for another big hobby of mine: sailing. My parents own a sailing boat and I love to spend the weekends onboard.

I want to participate in the study tour to Japan because I’ve always wanted to travel to this inspiring country. With Technical Medicine it is quite difficult to study abroad, so this is a great opportunity to combine my study with my wish to travel to Asia. The study tour is the perfect way to discover Japan. I’m very much looking forward to it!

Hi, my name is Paul de Jonge. I’m a fourth year Technical Medicine student from Oldenzaal, the biggest and most beautiful carnival city in all of the Netherlands.

I choose Reconstructive Medicine as my master, but I’m currently a member of the board of Paradoks, which takes up most of my time during the week. Besides my board tasks I am the head editor of the periodical ‘Parallaks’, which went through a massive facelift this year.

In my spare time I like to go scuba diving, windsurfing and to go to the sport school. Doing something else than studying for one year wasn’t enough for me. I enjoy exploring other parts of life so much at the moment that I decided to participate on this study tour. Next to the experiences I’ll get from participating I have special interests in Japan. Their culture and lifestyle is so different from ours that I want to experience it myself.

Travelling is something I also enjoy a lot. I want to see as much of the world as I can and Japan has always been on top of my most wanted list. After the study tour I will most likely continue my travels for a couple more weeks.

My name is Wieke Haakma, born in a little town called Beetsterzwaag and I’m a third year student in Technical Medicine at the University of Twente.

By the end of this semester I hope to receive my Bachelor degree. After that I will start the master track Robotics and Imaging.

Some of my extracurricular activities are playing badminton and jogging. I’m also a member of the sorority Nefertiti and at the moment I’m their chairwoman.

Luckily I’m one of the participants of the study tour to Japan. With this tour I hope to find out what the job opportunities are in our field of expertise in a non-Western country, but also to gain some travel experience outside Europe.

I hope to get a good impression of Japan and its culture, have a lot of exciting experiences during the study tour. Also I hope to visit prominent companies and meet a lot of interesting people.

My name is Petra Gooskens, I’m 20 years old, and I’m one of the lucky persons who will fly to Japan in November. I grew up in Rijswijk and after secondary school I came to Enschede to study Technical Medicine. Currently, I’m in the third year of my study. This year I will get my bachelor’s degree and start my master’s. In my leisure time, I like to play sports, mostly field hockey and tennis, and spend time at the students’ union Taste.

When I heard about the opportunity to go on the study tour to Japan, I was immediately excited. Being a student isn’t only about studying. You have to have fun and enjoy life as a student. A journey to Japan is a unique possibility to do something in relation to Technical Medicine in a foreign country. Besides, it is a great way to experience a new culture which is totally different from the Dutch one. The weeks in Japan will be unforgettable!

Hi, I am Merijn Eskes and I am 21 years old. I’ve lived in a beautiful village called Lichtenvoorde. After high school I moved to Enschede were I began to study Technical Medicine. I hope to finish my bachelor degree this year. After that I will be starting my master degree, which will be most likely Robotics and Imaging.

Besides studying I am into sports as well. I play waterpolo and till this year I played soccer and was swimming a lot too. Since I practiced these sports in my parents’ hometown, I quit two sports and focused on waterpolo. As a compensation you will find me once in a while in the gym at the University of Twente. I also like scuba diving, skiing, watching movies, hanging out with friends et cetera.

In the past three years I also did some committees. For example I organized the introduction for new students and currently I participate in the acquisition commission. This study tour to Japan is a good opportunity to see a whole different culture and a highly technical developed country. Furthermore I think it is very educational and it gives a glimpse of my future field of work.

Hi there! Born over 21 years ago in the city of Maastricht I was named Jeroen. I partially grew up in Maastricht en partially in Den Dungen, near Den Bosch. For the purpose of studying I moved to Enschede to start Technical Medicine.

I am now a third year student and if everything goes well, I will be finishing my bachelor degree this year. I don’t know exactly what I am going to do next year because I haven’t made my mind up which of the master tracks I want to start.

To “fill up” my spare time I joined the student association Taste en tennis association Ludica. I am also active at study association Paradoks and I have done some committees there, one of which is organizing a trip to Prague!

The main reason I wanted to participate in the study tour to Japan was to expand my horizon. It is a one in a life time experience to go along. I don’t want to look back in 3 years and realize that I had a wonderful time, but I didn’t do anything special, or something else then “just” study. This study tour is the possibility to do something special and to learn at the same time.

Besides all the interesting things we will do in Japan and the wonderful time I will probably have, I am also looking forward in meeting other people and experience the whole trip with them.

Hello! My name is Marie-Louise and this year I am finishing my bachelor’s degree in Technical Medicine. I grew up in Leiden and I have been living in Enschede for three years now. I think attending this study tour is a great opportunity to broaden my experience and explore a non-Western country in context with my study course. It is a perfect way to really get to know the characteristics of Japan.

As Japan is famous for its advanced robotics, I definitely expect to come across some innovative implementations of technology. I hope to learn more about techniques like per-operative imaging and minimally invasive procedures, since I am likely to choose the master track Robotics and Imaging.

I think comparison of Western and non-Western ways of thinking is quite important, helping me to gain a new perspective on medical care here in the Netherlands. After all, a Technical Physician is supposed to think out of the box in medical setting, come with useful inventions for more exact diagnoses or more effective treatments and communicate with a wide range of clinical specialists and technical experts. I am very enthusiastic since I do consider the study tour a challenge and a great educational experience!

Besides studying, I like to coach pupils in high school, individually or in classes at the University of Leiden, and to assist students of Technical Medicine. I have also developed some skills in committees of study association Paradoks. Last year I helped organize the symposium about nanomedice and I have just started planning the Paratrip to Prague and working on the club’s periodical “Parallaks”. In my spare time I like hanging out with my friends from college and sorority of student association A.S.V. Taste and once in a while you can find me playing tennis and squash.

So far I have seen a lot of Europe and although a part of my family lives on the other side of the world, I have never been to another continent. So I am very excited to explore Japan and some more of Asia next year!

Hey everyone, I am Camiel Tromp, a fifth year BME student. After finishing my high school education in Eindhoven I decided it was time to experience another city. So I went to Enschede.

I’m now busy finishing my bachelor tissue engineering, but decided to continue my master in another yet unknown direction. After two years of study it was time for me to experience other activities besides my study and participated a full year in the society board of Audentis. Besides my study activities I spend my time with the student fraternity, play field hockey with my team at HC Drienerlo and do some snowboarding.

I am interested to travel in a country with very different culture for a long time. So I subscribed for this great possibility to learn all facets of a country where everything seems to be possible. You never engage the entire knowledge without experience it.

Hi! I’m Thomas Hartjes, born and raised in a small and peaceful town called Doornenburg. Four years ago I moved to the city Enschede what has become my new home. I’m currently finishing my bachelor’s degree at biomedical engineering and hope to start my bachelor thesis this month at the Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group. After this year I will attend the mastertrack in Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering.

In my spare time I play some soccer (indoor and outdoor) and drink “a few” beers with my friends at the local pubs and clubs. I like to watch a movie,play some games and I am a diehard fan of FC Twente. In the weekends you will find me in the stadium supporting “The Reds”.

I’ve been in several committees within the study association Paradoks. I organized the “BME/TG Introduction” with some other students for upcoming students in 2007 and I’m still in the “ACTIE” committee to organize very nice activities during the year for all the Paradoks members.

Enough about me, the more important thing is that I applied for a place in the Daidō-shōi tour and I was one of the lucky ones! It will be a nice experience to visit some companies abroad which are specialized in our field of study. I’m very curious in the differences between the state of art technology in a country as Japan and The Netherlands. Besides that, I always wanted to visit a country like Japan and learn more about their culture and way of life so this was a perfect opportunity for me to join the group! And remember,

“Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get”

My name is Lianne Zevenbergen. I am born and raised in a small town called Klaaswaal nearby Rotterdam. At the moment I am a third year Biomedical Engineering student, specializing in the Human Function Technology. This year I hope to finish my bachelor's degree and make a start on my master's degree also in the Human Function Technology track.

Besides studying, I work for the University of Twente on an interactive website for high school students and assist bachelor students of Biomedical Engineering by several courses. Furthermore I have also been in several committees of the study association Paradoks. Especially organizing the introduction for new students was a lot of fun to do. Besides that I like to do several sport activities as well, especially speed skating. During the winter season I skate three times a week on the new ice hall in Enschede and give skate instruction for once a week. To stay in shape during the summer I go cycling, skating and running. Last year I was on the board of the speed skating club ‘D.S.V. de Skeuvel’, coordinating the trainers and organizing speed skating championships.

I think this study tour to Japan will be a great part of my education. Not only will I have the chance to see my future field of work in a foreign country, but also learn more about the differences and similarities between Japan and the Netherlands.

Hi, my name is Jan de Jong. I was born in Bellville (SA), but soon after that we moved to Drachten (FR). Currently I am at the start of my masters of BME Human Function Technology, quite exciting.

I like to use the possibilities that student life has to offer to broaden my horizon. Therefore I am an active member of the Christian student union VGST. Last year I was the praeses (president) of this student union, quite exciting. During this study tour I hope to experience some of the culture that Japan offers. Because what is a better way to broaden the horizon that to go to the other side of the world?

Hi, I am Stan Verwer and I am in my fourth year of my study Biomedical Engineering, specialized in human function technology. Although I already started with my Master courses I still have the Bachelor thesis to finish. In this assignment I focus on influence of different surfaces on knee and ankle injuries in sports. A fundamental goal is to investigate if the rise of artificial turf in sports brings higher injury risks.

My major hobby is playing football; I play in the first selection of ATC '65 in my hometown Hengelo. Besides I spend time in the gym and play some tennis and squash. In my spare time I like to spend time with my friends, for example to play the exciting board game Colonists of Catan! Moreover I like to hit the town now and then.

I see it as a chance of a lifetime to join this trip to Japan, a country with a totally different culture and al lot of interesting sights. Besides the entertaining aspect, it seems to me as a very interesting way to earn some study points.

Japan, here I come!

Hi, I am Mechteld Lehr, one of the lucky and enthusiastic people who will participate in the Study Tour to Japan! My life in a nutshell: born in Assen 21 years ago, grown up and taught a lot in Rijswijk and since 2005 a student in Biomedical Engineering at the University in Enschede. I attend the first year of the master track Human Function and Technology. After the study tour I hope to carry out my internship abroad and start graduating.

Besides studying, I am member of the BME Committee for Program Quality, student assistant for BME, member of the VHTO “Spiegelbeeld” Project and during my Bachelor I’ve been active in several committees of study association Paradoks. In my spare time I do pilates and power yoga to keep fit, every Monday I have a couple of drinks with the ladies of my society STER and I’m crazy about shopping, being with my friends, family and of course my boyfriend.

Since the holidays to Malaysia and Indonesia a few years ago, my interest in travelling is aroused. Furthermore, I think my study time is passing by far too soon, I am not sure yet about my real interests and passions in Biomedical Engineering and I think the Study Tour to Japan is a great and unique opportunity to get to know Biomedical companies and another culture. So reasons enough to enroll!

I’m really looking forward to the whole Study Tour program and of course a long holiday in and around Japan afterwards!