Pim Driessen
Tell us a bit about yourself.
“My name is Pim Driessen and I am in the last year of my Electrical Engineering studies. In due time, I like to challenge myself by trying out new things or chasing new goals. Like in an earlier year I held a full-time function in a student team.”
Why did you apply for the Internships in the Valley program?
“As I have to do an internship for my master's degree, I decided to chase a new goal by challenging myself to work in a different work environment. I figured that the best way to do that is to go abroad to another country, where I am interested in and a company, which can challenge me and could teach me new interesting things. As my interest lies in Analog Circuit Design, the company Nuvoton seemed to be a good fit. I am looking forward to meeting my new colleagues and I am curious what the experience will all bring me.”
Please tell us about your experiences at Nuvoton so far. How’s the support? Have you learned any new skills or technologies?
“The support has been great! At Nuvoton I have a Dutch supervisor and outside the company a mentor who I can contact if I like. My supervisor has already taught me a lot about the design procedure of an electronic chip and the trade-offs that present themselves when designing an electronic chip.”
What have been some of the biggest culture shocks about working in Silicon Valley, or living in the US?
“Silicon Valley feels very international. Or at least, there are quite many people from different origins. I have met people from Turkey, Spain, England, Russia, Iraq, India, etc.
Furthermore, almost everything in the US is more expensive. Especially the rent. Luckily the salary is also higher.
Despite the possible high salary, the average rent for a room is high. This explains why there are many homeless in the US. I find the way they live here quite shocking.”
How’s the overall social life in the Bay Area?
“Good. The alumni networking events were a lot fun. I also liked meeting with other Dutchies. Housemates are less social with each other than in the Netherlands, but it was still nice to meet them.”
Have you had the chance to go on any weekend trips yet?
“Every weekend I try to visit something new. I have not been on a whole weekend trip yet, but I still want to go camping one weekend in one of the parks near San Jose. Also, when I am done with the internship I am planning to go on a road trip through the southwest of the US for a month.”
“I decided to chase a new goal by challenging myself to work in a different work environment. I figured that the best way to do that is to go abroad to another country.”
