How to apply for this wonderful experience?

The quality of the Introduction Programme heavily depends on a balanced team of excellent coaches. This year we aim to work with 48 coaches, in a well balanced mix with respect to:

• gender (50/50)
• faculty (related to amount of applicants per faculty – as far as possible),
• new (2/3) and experienced coaches (1/3)
• Dutch and international coaches (50/50)
• and within the international coaches we strive for a wide range of nationalities

Therefore the application and selection procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Read and understand the main tasks and selection criteria, and fill in the application form.
   Send this to coachintroprogramme@inwijs.nl. Also attach your CV.
   Make sure to send your application before the 8th of March. 
   Please have a look at the preliminary Programme schedule of 2012 and at this paper to learn more about the programme and what’s expected from the coaches.
2. From the pool of fit candidates we will select 55 potential candidates preliminarily.
   This first selection is based on the selection criteria (see below!) as well as on an optimal balance (gender, nationality, etc). Please note that since we often receive large numbers of good applications, it is possible that we will randomly choose between equally good candidates during the selection exercise. We are sorry that we will have to disappoint some of you, even if you are a good candidate.


3. These 55 students will be invited for an assessment and introduction on March 23 or March 24. During this morning session of about 4 hours you will get
   1. a thorough overview of the programme
   2. more in depth insight in what we need from you.
   3. After this briefing we will assess all candidates to select the final 48 coaches.
   4. If you are selected you will follow the trainings & meeting:  
      1. Training 1: May 12  
      2. Design survival activities: 9 June
      3. Training 2: August 15, right before the programme starts.

Questions? You can send all your questions to coachintroprogramme@inwijs.nl.

Main tasks and selection criteria

The life and studying in The Netherlands differ from what the new international students are used to in their home country. The main task of the coaches is to guide and to support the students in adjusting to this new environment.

You support the new international students to reach the following goals:

1. The student has contact with fellow students; 
2. The student is able to find her/his way in TU Delft campus life; 
3. The student feels more comfortable about living in the Netherlands and in the city of Delft; 
4. The student knows enough of working in project teams in Delft to start his Master period; 
5. The student met people from other faculties; 
6. The student feels well prepared to give an oral presentation; 
7. The student is able to deal with cultural differences without loss of own culture; 
8. The student feels welcome at TU Delft; 
9. The student feels comfortable enough to deal with the Delft teaching format (project work, working together, a high degree of self-regulation needed, active learning, problem based learning);
10. The student enjoyed a great start of his study period.

Criteria:

Criteria on fulfilling your role as coach:

• You are responsible for the safety and first needs of the new international student;
• You are able to empathize with the new international student. You can imagine what it feels like to move to a new and unknown country that differs from your home country;
• You are a team worker. You are able to communicate with the international students, with your team of coaches and with the organization team. You keep everyone informed about what is happening and what is needed;
• You are able to respond to unexpected situations and incidents. You can manage & organize, improvise & troubleshoot. A new and unexpected situation is not a threat, but a challenge to respond calm and flexible.

Basic criteria:

• You have good English language skills.
• You are able to attend all training moments and you are available for all obligatory sessions in the Introduction programme (March 23 or 24, May 12, June 9, August 15, August 16 – August 30).
• If you want to apply for the extra role as a driver during the meet and greet, you need to have a driver's license which is valid in the Netherlands, and know your way in Delft well.
• Are you a non-EU student? Make sure you do not have another working permit from another employer for the year 2012!
• Please respond to the application in time by sending in the application form. First is first, and we will not deal with applications that are sent after the deadline!
• If you are a PhD student and want to be active in the Introduction Programme, please contact Germaine Poot, g.c.poot@tudelft.nl or 015 2788357.