General Impression of the uni of Luxembourg after 1st semester

Summary

In this transcript, a student reflects on their first semester of a Master's program in Mega Structures and Engineering in Luxembourg. They found the semester hectic with seven courses and constant assignments, especially struggling with MATLAB programming in the Finite Element Analysis course. The student also discusses the limited practical application of sustainability concepts and the challenges of the job market, emphasizing the importance of language skills. They share personal experiences with racism and the need for improvements in the educational system, while also expressing a positive outlook on the overall experience.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The student is pursuing a Master's degree in Mega Structures Engineering in Luxembourg and found the first semester to be hectic with seven courses.
• 📚 The courses included subjects like concrete structures with weekly assignments and a workshop, which were time-consuming and difficult.
• 🤔 The professor responsible for the concrete structures course left the university, which may have affected the course's organization and clarity.
• 📉 The student faced challenges with MATLAB programming in the finite limit analysis course, especially as it was their first time using the software.
• 🔍 The student felt there was a gap in their understanding of MATLAB, which made completing assignments and debugging errors a struggle.
• 🌐 The course on life cycle analysis was mostly theoretical, with the student expecting more practical exposure to software for such analysis.
• 🏫 The student felt that the program lacked specialization and was a random combination of courses, which didn't make sense for a Master's program.
• 🗣️ Language proficiency, particularly in French and German, is important for the job market in Luxembourg, especially for engineering roles.
• 🏛️ The student experienced instances of racism and prejudice, suggesting that not all interactions in Luxembourg were positive.
• 💼 Feedback from students about the program was met with resistance, with some staff responding rudely and dismissively.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, the student found the overall experience in Luxembourg to be positive, especially when compared to their home country of Nigeria.

Q & A

What program is Gabriel studying in Luxembourg?

Gabriel is studying a Master's degree in Mega Structures Engineering in Luxembourg.

How did Gabriel find the workload during his first semester?

Gabriel found the first semester to be very hectic with seven courses and a lot of assignments to submit weekly.

What challenges did Gabriel face with the course on concrete structures?

The course on concrete structures was time-consuming, with constant assignments and the need to submit reports every fortnight.

What was the situation with the professor responsible for the concrete structures course?

The professor responsible for the concrete structures course had left the university, which may have affected the course's organization.

How did Gabriel manage the deadlines for his projects?

Gabriel and his team had to request an extension to buy more time to finish their projects due to the pressure of deadlines.

What was Gabriel's experience with the Finite Limit Analysis course?

Gabriel found the concept of the Finite Limit Analysis course to be nice, but the use of MATLAB for assignments was difficult for him as it was his first time using it.

What difficulties did Gabriel encounter with MATLAB?

Gabriel faced difficulties with MATLAB as it was his first time using it, and he had to quickly learn the basics and then move on to more complex assignments.

How did Gabriel feel about the sustainability aspect of the program?

Gabriel felt that the sustainability part of the program was informative, but he expected more practical application, such as the introduction of software for life cycle analysis.

What issues did Gabriel face regarding the life cycle analysis course content?

Gabriel felt that the course content was mostly theoretical and lacked depth in practical application, such as how to calculate the exact environmental impact of materials.

Did Gabriel experience any form of prejudice or racism during his time in Luxembourg?

Yes, Gabriel had several encounters where he felt prejudiced against, such as being treated differently at a vaccination center due to his appearance.

What is Gabriel's opinion on the job market for engineers in Luxembourg?

Gabriel believes that the job market for engineers is not easy, especially due to language requirements, and that knowing French is beneficial but having German proficiency can be crucial for certain roles.

What language skills does Gabriel suggest are important for an engineer in Luxembourg?

Gabriel suggests that while French is the main language for general communication, having German proficiency is important for those interested in design and construction due to the prevalence of German materials and software.

What feedback did Gabriel receive when he tried to discuss course content with the academic staff?

Gabriel received a negative and rigid response, with the staff implying that if he didn't like the course content, he shouldn't have enrolled.

How does Gabriel view the flexibility of the master's program he is enrolled in?

Gabriel finds the program inflexible, as it requires taking a wide range of courses that may not be relevant to his specific interests or career goals.

What impression does Gabriel have of Luxembourg so far?

Gabriel's impression of Luxembourg is mixed; he appreciates some aspects but finds certain experiences, such as racism and the academic program, to be below standard.