‘Mechanical engineering gives me a lot of flexibility for the future’

Diego Hernandez Callejas has taken a remarkable journey to Hanze University of Applied Sciences. He was born in El Salvador and moved to Qatar when he was seven. When it was time to choose higher education after his A-levels, he quickly knew he wanted to go to Europe, and Hanze stood out for him in terms of affordability and opportunities outside of his studies. He is now a second-year Mechanical Engineering (ME) student, and it still feels like the right choice for him.

‘When I was seven, my family moved to Qatar due to my dad's work. That’s where I grew up and went to school. The education system in Qatar allowed me to study in English, and I’ve always been decent at math. So when it came time to decide what I wanted to pursue at university, I knew I wanted to do something involving math and engineering.

I looked at several universities across the world, but honestly, the Netherlands seemed like the best fit. The quality of education here is really high, and it's also more affordable compared to places like the USA or the UK. Hanze stood out to me because it offered a great balance of affordability and opportunities. What also really attracted me to Hanze was their Formula Student Team: Hanze Racing Division. Although I’m not really a car enthusiast, I wanted to do something more and learn something new. It's been such a fun experience, and that's part of why I’m here.

When it comes to ME, I didn’t have many expectations at the beginning. Right from the first month, we were thrown into practical work. I remember one of our first workshops involved learning how to use different machines and welders. It was all completely new to me, but I found it really interesting. The theoretical aspects were more of a reapplication of what I had already learned during my A-levels, but now with a focus on specific engineering problems. I enjoy how everything is applied and hands-on, rather than just theoretical.

It’s been really fun just being in class. We’re a small group, and this gives it a really nice, homely vibe. Compared to other universities that accept a lot more students, you can feel the difference in the attention the teachers can give, and the connection with your classmates is stronger because of it. That makes the course much more enjoyable for me. We also do fun things together, like potlucks, and the sailing trip at the start of the year really brings the whole group closer. It’s not just about education; it’s about the whole experience.

If you’re thinking about ME, I would say don’t be overwhelmed by the math, because in general, I feel like it's very doable if you put in the effort and time. Mechanical engineering isn't only about math. There's so much more to it. There’s the mechanical aspect, where you can be more of a technician, but you can also focus on energy, car racing or aerodynamics. There is so much variety that you shouldn't limit yourself by what you think you can or cannot do.

I’m still figuring out exactly what area I want to specialize in, but I’m leaning towards energy. I think working in green energy or something related would be a great fit for me. I’m also considering staying at Hanze for a master’s in energy, as the programs here are quite good.

ME gives me a lot of flexibility for the future. I still don’t know exactly where I’ll end up, but I feel like I’m building a strong foundation that will give me plenty of options down the road.’