Bachelor of engineering student Purvil Ganger felt love at first sight when introduced to the world of water technology. But he stayed for the knowledge, his newly made friends, and the culture. Purvil: “I went looking for a water-related master and quickly applied here. And I really don’t regret that.”
India’s walking encyclopedia of chemical engineering
“I was not always quite involved during my bachelor’s degree in engineering,” tells Purvil, “At first, I got challenged enough: I used to be quite poor at mathematics. But upon being taught math by my great professor I became fluent in his course. I was ready for a new challenge. Which I met One day, while at a conference. I got to talk with Manmohan Sharma – India’s walking encyclopedia in chemical engineering,” he says smilingly.
“When he gave a talk, he asked the audience how we should solve the ever-increasing freshwater shortage. I, foolishly as I see now, suggested we just desalinate all the seawater. But of course, the answer was not as simple as that.” In fact, there is no proper answer to that question as of now. “But it did trigger me, and upon talking with him, I met my challenge.”
“The tap in the bathroom at my college that would always leak even called me. Before, it did little to me seeing it there, but now I would actively try to close it every time. And I started to follow many online courses from different platforms to indulge myself in the topic of water.”
So when it came to choosing a master’s degree, a quick decision was imminent. “There were more water-related masters in Europe, but the Wetsus Academy appealed to me. The courses provided lined up with the topics of my interest. So, I quickly applied. And I really don’t regret it.”
A blue bike
But there was a lot more to learn for Purvil, as this was his first time abroad. And especially in Europe, where it’s all a bit different. “I wouldn’t say there are that many major differences, but getting used to the Dutch way of approaching someone took some time. People don’t mind having different views here. They’ll say as they think – and that was harsh at first. Now, I prefer the honesty. And here, we are stimulated to work together, in groups, it helped me understand perspectives and solutions all the while making good friends.”
If there is one thing Purvil will never forget, it is the first day of his introduction – mostly the (in)famous bike tour. “When I first got here, of course, I did not have a bike. Luckily, for the tour, I could borrow one – a blue bike. I will never forget that. And as we barely left the building, the cycling already got dazzling to me. In India, we drive on the left side, and here on the right. As soon as I got to the first turn, I fell over in the grass. Not hurt, but no one noticed me, apart from a fellow student accompanying me. And while he was panicking and trying to call the rest, no one picked up. We ended up twenty minutes behind the rest. But I made up for it with canoeing. That didn’t stop me from being the guy ’that can’t even bike’ at first. But soon, I would make great friends.”
“As a small group, we still really stick together. Even though half of us is elsewhere doing their internship now. We make an effort to meet up every weekend – we choose a Dutch city and a country’s dish. We visit that city and eat at a restaurant of that nationality. We joke about all getting a job in the same place so we can be together in the future too.”
