How long have you worked at the UT?
‘I have worked in the DesignLab since 2016, but I came to the UT in 2008 for my PhD studies, which I’m now almost finished with. I’m actually doing a joined PhD here and in Brazil, my home country. So besides being a staff member here in the DesignLab, I’m also a PhD researcher at ITC and finishing my work on ‘modelling and integration of bicycles and public transport in Brazil.’ Life is funny. I was teaching in Brazil and wanted to get a PhD to continue teaching in Brazil. I wanted to do a PhD abroad, I came to the Netherlands, met my husband here and never went back to Brazil.’
When you are finished with your PhD, will you then move on to another job?
‘Definitely not. This is my job now and I absolutely want to continue with it. I’ve realized that I prefer to work outside of research. I love the university, I love the environment. I love being around researchers, but I don’t necessarily want to be one myself.’
You mentioned you met your husband here in the Netherlands. Is he Dutch?
‘I met him three years after I came here. He’s actually Indian, but we now both have a Dutch citizenship, so if you ask me if he’s Dutch, I have to say yes.’
If you weren’t working in the DesignLab, what would you be doing?
‘In another lifetime, I would probably be a yoga teacher and work in retreats all over the world. Not bad, right?’
Yoga is your big hobby, I take it. What is another hobby you’ve picked up recently?
‘I try to do brush lettering, calligraphy. I took a workshop and I’d like to continue with it. And I love learning languages. I always need to be learning a language. Now it is Dutch, but I’m not following a course anymore, just practicing, so I’m thinking about starting to learn Russian. I already checked out lessons here in Enschede.’
What is the best thing about living in Enschede?
‘The life quality. The city is so compact, you can get everywhere quickly by bike. And the air is fresh and there is no violence – I come from Rio, so that is nice for me.’
What is the worst thing about living in Enschede?
‘Nothing specific to Enschede, I’m a big fan of Enschede. But in general it is tough being so far from my friends and family in Brazil. And there is no beach here! But I go to Brazil about twice a year. It’s actually quite convenient, because there are direct flights and my parents’ house is really close to Rio, so it is no big hassle.’
What is on your bucket list?
‘It is all about trips! I want to see the northern lights above the igloo houses. I want to go to the Maldives. And to a safari. But if you ask me tomorrow, I will probably start listing even more trips.’
Do you travel a lot?
‘Less than I would like to, but more than other people. If you ask people around here, they will say “Oh, Flavia travels so much!” I think it is the best way to spend my money and my time.’
What was the last trip you took?
‘I just came back from Marseille and a week before that I was in Greece. Europe is so small, you can go anywhere. It is smaller than Brazil, so it’s no problem to travel around.’
Are you already planning your next trip?
‘Of course! Always. I’m going to Kenya in October, so I can cross the safari off my list. We are also planning a New Year’s Eve trip with my husband. New Year’s Eve is a really big thing in Brazil. It’s always a big celebration and it is always on a beach. We have some friends in the Philippines. They have nice beaches there too, so why not go there?’
