hanze xperience magazine hanze uas
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Hanze Xperience MagazineTRANSCRIPT
hanzegroningen.eu
H
AN
ZE U
NIVERSITY OF APPLIE
D SC
IEN
CES, GRONINGEN
S INCE
1798
Your talent…Your talent is the foundation for your success and growth. At Hanze
University of Applied Sciences (UAS), Groningen, we challenge you
to use this talent to its full potential. This enables you to achieve the
very best you can. You are given plenty of opportunities to develop
your talent, and to discover talents you never knew you had.
...for the benefit of the world around you
Our university of applied sciences has a rich history, of which
contributing to society is an important aspect. Helping the world is
our university’s talent!
We are proud to say that our staff and students are using their
talent to contribute to a better world.
Share your talent. Move the world.
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ContentsPage 4 Welcome to Groningen!
Page 5 Meet your first Dutch ‘friends’
Page 6 The International Student Team: ‘We Care for Students!’
Page 7 D-Team: German student Xperience
Page 8 ESN-Groningen organises events for international students
Page 10 Housing: How to find a student room in Groningen
Page 13 Students & Sports: Move Your Body!
Page 14 Things you should know about Groningen
Page 16 Event Calendar: What to do in Groningen
Page 18 Money: What does it all cost?
Page 21 Hot Spots: Ten cool places to visit
Page 23 Students move the world
Page 24 MBA teacher shares his work experience with students
Page 27 Price-winning piano student Olga follows the music
Page 28 Technology student Claudiu loves practice-based approach
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To give a warm welcome to all new international students, Hanze UAS organizes two Welcoming Days per year. On this day you will be officially introduced to the university and get your first real taste of Dutch culture. The programme includes welcoming speeches by the mayor of Groningen, the Executive Board and other representatives of the university, an information market, an introduction to Dutch Culture, lunch, and sessions on important practical issues that you need to take care of. Of course you will also get the chance to meet your new fellow international students while we present lots of interesting topics in various settings. You will receive your student card or a letter with information on what you still need to do to receive
your student card and your login details for your Hanze e-mail account. Information sessions and assistance by the International Student Office will be provided on insurance matters, registration as a citizen of Groningen, opening a bank account, housing in Groningen and immigration matters (residence permit).On this day you can also register for the social intro-duction week that is organised by ESN-Groningen (see page 9). In this programme you will get to know the different social and cultural aspects of Gron-ingen. It includes a city tour, parties, dinners and cultural events. The school where you are going to study will also organise an introductory programme that will
introduce you to the school and its staff. You will get information on schedules, counseling, facilities, modules, projects, et cetera, and you will get to know the fellow students that you will be studying with. Information on dates and times for this programme will be sent to you by the school itself.You will receive an invitation for our Welcoming Day by e-mail. On www.hanzegroningen.eu/welcomingday we will publish the programme and more information about this day. You can also register for the event online. Attending the day is free of charge. Please make sure you are there, because it will provide a good kick-off for your stay at Hanze UAS!
Welcome to Groningen!
Groningen
Mayor of Groningen Peter Rehwinkel welcomes new international students in the Atrium.
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Probably the first person you are in touch with before you arrive at
Hanze UAS is a staff member of the International Student Office
(ISO). Janine Brons, head of ISO, explains what they can do for you.
International Student Office cares for you
What happens when a student first contacts ISO?‘We assist international students with their applica-tion and inform them about study programmes. But we also pave the way, so to speak. If students encoun-ter problems, we help them as much as we can. “Will I be admitted with my diploma?” “I’m not graduat-ing until then or then, can I still apply?” They send their application to us and we check it, send it to the schools, and they sign it. We try to work as quickly and effectively as possible. When students apply, we try to respond within two working days. We strive to complete an application within two weeks, provided the student has sent all necessary documents.’
After a student has permission to come, he or she needs a place to live…‘We try to make sure that every student has a place to live when he or she arrives, but it’s important for them to apply before June 1st. We can guarantee housing for anyone who applies before this date. If you apply later, we will still try our best to get you a room, but it is a lot trickier.’
Once the student arrives, your job is done?‘Our work does not stop once a student has arrived. Of course, the most important work is done by then, but we always keep track of students. We check
if they have a place to live for example, or if their residence permit has not expired… especially if you are a non-EU student, we keep ‘bugging’ you, but in a positive way. We inform students about the neces-sary steps that they have to take to extend their legal stay. We always want to make sure you don’t get into any trouble. But we are open to all questions from all types of students. No question is too silly!’
Why a special international student office? The schools cannot take care of that themselves?‘ISO is important, because it has gained a special expertise that the separate schools don’t have. Dutch immigration law is extremely complex and changes almost every year. We keep track of these changes and communicate with the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service). This way we can provide bet-ter and faster services to students. For other practical matters, laws and rules also tend to change from time to time. It’s important for the students to have a central point of contact who can always provide the best information.’
How does a student communicate with ISO?‘Once you get in touch with ISO, you get your own personal contact person. Any time you have ques-tions or problems, you can contact him or her. This
way you already know someone when you arrive and you know who to approach when you have questions or problems.’
What do you advise students who are thinking about studying at Hanze UAS?‘Make sure you apply in time, preferably before 1 June. Prepare yourself well and think hard if this is really what you want to do. It has to be a conscious and thought-over decision, because it is not a small step. Make sure you ask us as many questions as you can, it might help you make the decision more easily.’
What kind of questions do you usually get?‘Most questions, besides visa, housing, and ap-plication, are about what students can expect in the Netherlands. What are the costs? What kind of clothes do I need to bring? How do I get a phone?’
What are the most original questions that students asked you?‘Do I have to eat in a restaurant everyday? (No) When is breakfast served? (Sorry, you have to make your own breakfast!) Can I bring my pet snake to the Netherlands? (No, you cannot). We also had an American student who arrived with a snowboard, all ready to go. “Where can I find a place to snowboard?” he asked. Unfortunately the Netherlands is as flat as a pancake, so we had to disappoint him!’
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How does ISTeam work?‘The ISTeam’s purpose is to make sure that interna-tional students are well informed about studying at the Hanze UAS and living in Groningen. Four years ago, this team was established to bridge the gap between what foreign students want to know and the great amount of experience that is available. As we are students ourselves, you can count on us to share our personal experiences of studying at Hanze UAS as an international student. And of course we can point you in the right direction for the ‘need-to-know’ information such as application deadlines and prerequisites, study programme details, housing arrangements and sporting facilities. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter, but also on country-specific social networking sites such as Vkontakte and Renren. Through these channels, we inform our members and followers about activities and news from Hanze UAS and the city of Gron-ingen. We also organize chat sessions – which are announced through social media and the Hanze UAS website – where prospective students can chat with current Hanze students. ‘As the ISTeam ‘s tasks are executed by students for (prospective) students, working for our team is a good opportunity for an exciting, fun side-job next to your studies.’
What’s new this year?‘We have become more active online. There is more communication through social media because we recognize how important it is to provide informal as well as formal information.’
How many people work for the ISTeam?‘Our core team consists of five people from five dif-ferent countries. Our extended, multicultural team has people from Romania, Bulgaria, China, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Latvia etc. This means that in many cases we can help prospective students by linking them to a student from their own country who has been through the same experience. Our motto is We care for you.’
What are the most common questions you receive from students?‘Questions about practical matters, scholarships, courses, but the questions differ from country to country. At first they are more practical – which we can answer or refer to our Internation Student Office (ISO). While at a later stage in the communication students usually tend to ask questions about life in the city, places to hang out, and our own experience, this is exactly the added value of ISTeam. Sometimes we receive funny questions, like whether they are able to buy books here, which of course is the case. ’
Is your work over once students have arrived?‘Although we are always willing to help and can be easily reached via social media and our email address, we are not responsible for the guidance of current students – the schools and ISO fill this role. Nevertheless, we are a very flexible team and we are open to provide help when needed. For example, there was a new student from Vietnam and she asked if we could find a Hanze student from her country to talk to her before her arrival. We managed to find someone and made her very happy. Such things can be arranged by us, and we welcome more of these kinds of requests in the future. ’
Contact informationTelephone number: 050 595 5678Email: [email protected]: www.hanzegroningen.eu/isteam
Before you come to study in the Netherlands you probably have many questions. What if you can get the
answers from a fellow student, possibly even from your own country? Making this possible is the mission of
our International Student Team (ISTeam). This enthusiastic group of students from all over the world, studying at
the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen (Hanze UAS) will help you before your arrival to Groningen.
Mitchell Dröge, the General Coordinator of ISTeam, explains what his team has to offer.
ISTeam provides information from a student perspective
‘We care for Students’
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Theresa DrägerSTUDIES:
Marketing Management
(and member of D-Team)
HomE CoUnTry:
Germany, 81.7 million
inhabitants, 8.6 times
the size of the
Netherlands
Why did you decide to study in Groningen?‘I had a job in Germany, but it didn’t challenge me much. I needed something else and decided I wanted to continue studying. My sister had been in Gronin-gen for a day once and she really loved it, so I decided to give it a try and visited the Open Day of Hanze UAS. I was quickly convinced and decided to become a student here.’
What do you think of the Dutch?‘I really like Dutch people, they are very relaxed. Okay, I had to get used to it, because sometimes they can be a bit too relaxed. They always say komt wel goed (‘everything will be alright’).
Germans are more strict, they like things to be well-arranged and planned. It took me quite some time to get used to the let-go mentality of the Dutch.’
How did you end up working for the D-Team?One of the German girls in my first student house was asked to work for the D-Team, but she turned down the offer because she was very busy. She men-tioned the job in a facebook post, I was interested, and decided to give it a try.’
What questions do German students ask you?‘They worry about not passing the Dutch exam and
what the consequences might be. They also wonder if it is really true that you can start a study at Hanze without a selection procedure. In Germany a lot of studies select their students based on their grades in high school. Most other questions are about housing and other financial issues.‘Last week, a student asked me if it was possible to combine the Dutch language course with the KEI-week (first-year student introduction week, ed.). A tough one, because the course is very intense, and so is the introduction week!’
Das Hanze D-TeamMöchtest du telefonisch mehr über die Möglichkeiten aus Studentensicht an der Hanze University Groningen erfahren? Das DTeam, mit einem festen Team aus 25 deutschen Studenten, steht dir jederzeit gerne für Erfahrungberichte, Fragen und Antworten zur Verfügung. Studenten unseres Teams sind häufig auch in Deutschland unterwegs, beispielsweise auf Messen und in Schulen, um das Studium an der Hanze University vorzustellen.
Hanze D-Team Telefon: 0031 - 61 - 3949879 Mittwoch: 17:30 -19:00 Donnerstag: 17:30 - 19:00 E-Mail [email protected]
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ESN-Groningen organises events for international students
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It is one in the afternoon, the sun is shining like it hardly ever does in the Dutch province of Friesland and the wind is blowing quite strong. The perfect conditions for a sailing day. ‘Are you ready to tack!?’, the skipper asks his crew. ‘Ready!’, they excitedly answer. The tacking manoeuvre, which is used to change the direction of a boat by turning its bow through the wind, goes perfectly and the sailing seems to go smoothly. But all of a sudden a strong irritating noise shocks the crew and they throw a loud shout into the sky. ‘Nobody knew what was happening, we thought we might even fall into the water. We did not have an engine to move from our position, so other boats had to come and rescue us’, remembers crew member Se-bastian Sanchez (22, Mexico). What happened was simple and not unusual: the old welding that joined the mast and the boom of the boat broke. It is just one of the experiences that will last forever in Sebastian´s mind. He is one of the 52 international
students that joined a sailing weekend organized by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in Groningen. During four days, students had the chance to learn the basics of sailing, practise canoeing, discover the lakes of Heeg, experience the Frisian life style, and sleep in an old farm that still smelled of horses. Geertjan Woudsma (25, the Netherlands) is one of the instructors. He is an experienced sailing instruc-tor and gives private lessons, but he has never spent four days on a boat with four girls from different continents before. ‘I have been sailing since I was eight years old. I normally practise this sport on weekends. I love sailing. For me, it is a great way to blend in with nature. It cleans and frees my mind’, explains Woudsma to his curious crew. ‘Did I ever fall off a boat before? Oh, yes! But don’t worry, that will not happen to us, it only happens when the wind blows very hard.’
More than fifty international
students decided to experience
something truly Dutch: sailing
on a lake in the province of
Friesland. ESN-Groningen made
it all possible by organizing a
four-day trip to Heeg . ‘I have
already eaten stroopwafels,
ridden bikes and worn clogs,
so this is the next step!’
What is ESN-Groningen?The organization for international students that come to Groningen to study. Whether you come for three months, six months, or a whole bachelor period, you are welcome to join.
What do they do for you?Each semester starts with an introduction week. You cannot miss it, according to international students. It starts with a city tour under the guidance of two Dutch students. You’ll have a pub crawl, Dutch language lessons, parties, sport day, and a cultural afternoon.
And after that?You become a member of ESN for only two euro. You will receive a card that provides free entrance to all ESN parties and gives discounts on food and drinks all through the city. You also have free entrance to the International Student Night on Mondays. And that is still not all. You also get dis-counts on all activities ESN-Groningen organizes: excursions to The Hague and Amsterdam, canoeing through the Groningen canals, and climbing the Martini tower are just some examples.
Is ESN only about events and parties?No. ESN also has a mentor system. Before you arrive, you can apply for a mentor on the website. In August you will get hooked up with a student of the school you will study at. You can then start to email with that person immediately to get answers to questions you might have. When you arrive, they will pick you up from the station and guide you around the city.
Want to find out more? Go to: Esn-groningen.nl
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‘The best way to meet people from all across the globe is to live in a student house’, says German student of International Communication Katja Lepenies, who spent her first year in Groningen in a student house she found through the Housing Office. Groningen has ten international student houses where students from all over the world live. The rooms are furnished and can be rented for five to twelve months via the Housing Office. Sharing the facilities with other international students, it is im-possible to get bored in one of these student houses. But when and how should students apply for a room in a student house? Applying for a room at the Hous-ing Office has the advantage that foreign students do not have to compete with the Dutch students that search for rooms. To register for the Housing Office it is necessary to have a foreign passport. However, September and February, when new semesters start, are peak months. So it is wise to register way before these months if you wish to have a room that meets your preferences.
‘The student houses differ a lot in size. There are huge ones with hundreds of students like the one at Winschoterdiep offering a vibrant ambiance. Other student houses are smaller and more private. It is important to think about what you prefer before you register’, Katja recommends.Living in an international student house offers several advantages. It is a great opportunity to make lots of friends. “Moving to a student house made the transition from Bulgaria to the Netherlands easier for me”, International Communication student Ana Velkova remembers. “You learn a lot about other cultures, almost more than about the Dutch culture’, she laughs. ‘You are never alone in a stu-dent house, but you do have to give up some of your privacy.’For students who do not wish to have company all day and who do not like to share facilities, there is the possibility to apply for seperate housing. In that case the Housing Office acts as intermediary between the landlord and the foreign students.
Design student Betje Schroeder preferred to have some more privacy and applied for separate housing with the Housing Office. ‘The room I have is nicely furnished and right in the city centre. I could not imagine sharing my shower and kitchen with so many other students.” Obviously, international students also have the opportunity to look for housing via internet, news-paper ads and real estate agents. Still, this mostly requires being physically present. It is no secret that finding rooms in Groningen is difficult, even for Dutch students. ‘Save yourself some headaches and register with the Housing Office straightaway’, Ana recommends. ‘I tried to find a room on my own from Bulgaria, but it was really difficult, so I finally registered with the Housing Office.’ www.housingoffice.nl
Living in Groningen
How do you find housing in Groningen from abroad?
Groningen offers a dynamic atmosphere and at
the same time the narrow streets and the small
houses neatly in line give it an idyllic flair. The
downside of this is that Groningen has more
students than adequate housing. And being far
away does not help to find a nice place. This
is why the Housing Office in Groningen offers
support to international students in their search
for an appropriate student room.
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Housing perience
Mariela Cutimbo SarmientoAgE: 24
nATIonAlITy: Peruvian
STUDIES: International Communication
nEIgHboUrHooD: City Centre
‘When I came to Groningen, I moved in with my boyfriend. He had already lived in the building for about two years, but in a different apartment. He was subscribed to the Lefier Housing network for some time; this is how we ended up getting this place. We even sleep in his old bed (1) and it is way too small. Sometimes I end up falling out of it!I had to buy so much furniture when I moved in, there was nothing; not a desk, not even a closet (2). For the first six months, I stored my clothes in a cardboard box! We share the Internet with some neighbours, but the speed is superfast nonetheless!’
‘Since my boyfriend already lived here for a while, most of the neighbours are really close friends. I think it is really cool to have many of your friends living in the same building. Even though we could have huge parties in all rooms at the same time, it never happens. We always end up in one room only.’
‘I live very close to the city centre, so I can walk, which I like a lot. To get to school, I normally take my bike, and I always have the wind in my face! the balcony is my favourite spot in the flat, I can sit there and watch the ships passing by and in the summer it is a good place to enjoy the sun (3). In the wintertime, I have a great view of the arrival of Sinterklaas (Dutch version of Santa Claus, ed.). And sometimes I watch people ice-skating when the river is frozen, but that does not happen often.’
‘I generally do not spend much time in the kitchen (4), since my boyfriend is doing most of the cooking. I don’t mind, he is a truly great cook!’
‘The plants seem to dislike this place since they often die. I think I water them too often. A lot of our friends say this place is too small for the two of us, but I disagree, I think it is perfect.’ (5)
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Student perience
Maksym Yakovenko (22) STUDIES: International Business and Management Studies
CoUnTry: Ukraine, 46 million inhabitants, 15 times the size of the Netherlands
lovES: sports, nature, healthy life
HATES: really nothing
Had you ever been in the Netherlands before?‘Sure. In 2006 I visited Amsterdam. As a matter of fact, it felt like home. Quite the opposite from Germany where I was staying with some friends in Osnabrück. The Germans were not that hospitable. The only thing they seem to be occupied with is work. Work, work, work. Even in daytime the cities are completely desolate. Like in wartime. Amsterdam is quite different. People are interested and helpful. Indeed, just like home.’
Home, where is that?‘Nikolaev is a town on the Black Sea coast, near Odessa. If you want to look it up, make sure not to take an old map. During the USSR-episode Nikolaev was not on it. It was a closed city, with a large naval
and military airport, a shipbuilding yard and so on. I grew up in the nineties, a period when everything changed. There was a lot of crime and poverty. Nowadays it’s a little better. In my opinion Ukraine should become a society like the Netherlands, we have to work on that. One of the major problems is that Ukrainians rarely speak foreign languages.’
You seem to manage quite all right, however. ‘Thank you very much. I went to an English school for eight years, so it isn’t that bad. Moreover, I took the opportunity to take the free lessons American Mormons offered. There were lots of them in the Ukraine. I am religious, Christianity is very wide-spread in Ukraine. To me all Christian denomina-tions are equal.’
Why did you choose for Groningen? ‘I wanted to go to the Netherlands. Hanze UAS was the first school to react. On the internet the city seemed pretty cool. Sometimes decisions are taken easily. For a long time I tried to become a profession-al basketball player. At some point I hád to choose. Either sports or further my studies. So here I am.’
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Hanze UAS offers you many ways
to train your brain. But how about
your physical health? After a long
day of studying, you might want
to forget about everything and
work those muscles a bit. Student-
sports association ACLO provides
tons of facilities that will keep you
moving!
On Zernike Campus, the main location of Hanze UAS, you will find all the sports facilities that you could possibly need. ACLO was set up in 1945 upon the initiative of a number of sports societies and clubs. Since then, many other student sports clubs have been set up under the wings of the ACLO; the current number being 52. The ACLO works with sport centres to provide high quality sports services. It maintains all of the internal contacts between the various clubs and societies, and of course, the stu-dents themselves. The cooperation with the Sports centre ensures that students from Groningen can choose from a wide range of sports services.
International Students Sports CardThrough the activities of ACLO, Hanze UAS offers its students and staff many extra-curricular sports activities. If you want to use the facilities of ACLO, you need to buy a sports card. This card is a pass that gives you access to these facilities. Foreign students in possession of a student card or registration card, valid for a period longer than three months can buy a card for € 36 per semester or € 47 a year*.
Open HoursAre you curious about one of the many courses that ACLO offers? Open Hours are offered throughout the entire year. You can simply ‘join-in’. Open Hours are offered at regular times during the week and you will not have to register in advance. Generally speak-
ing, the Open Hours are mostly supervised by sports coaches; however, participation in this training is non-obligatory.
For more information, go to www.aclosport.nl
Move your body!
Facilities:12 outdoor tennis courts4 indoor tennis courts1 swimming pool4 soccer fields2 hockey fields (grass)3 artificial grass fields1 beachvolleyball field1 budo hall2 small sport halls4 big sport halls4 squash courts1 climbing wall2 fitness halls
Other locations:5 swimming poolsSkating rinkAthletics trackDance school
Sports:American footballAquarobicsBadmintonBasketballBeach feet volleyballBeach volleyballBodyfitBodypumpClimbing
Courtyard basketballFitness (Cardio/power)FootballFrisbeeHandballHockeyIndoor football SquashTable tennisTennisUnihockeyVolleyball
Facilities, locations and sports
* May be subject to change
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25 things you should know about Groningen
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Awards1 Second best student city in the Netherlands
(after Amsterdam, according to survey October 2007).
2 Safest City in the Netherlands 2004.
3 City of the Year 2009 in a comparable survey from Q&A Research, April 2009, based on aspects such as shopping amenities, cultural facilities, safety, and tourism.
4 Best liked by its inhabitants in a comparable survey from the EU, July 2007, among inhabitants of 75 cities in the EU, on aspects such as amenities, facilities, safety, clean air. (1. Groningen, 2. Leipzig 2. and 3. Krakow)
5 Groningen is in the top five of best bike cities (57% of all transportation within the city is by bike)
History6 The first major settlement in Groningen has
been traced back to the third century AD.
7 During medieval times, the city steadily became an important trade centre in Northern Europe.
8 Martinitower, the most famous eye-catcher, was the highest building in Europe for a while in the fifteenth century.
9 Many old buildings in the centre still show Groningen’s great history.
Population10 Groningen has a population of 190,000.
11 Every fifth person in Groningen is a student (approx. 50.000 students).
12 Fifty percent of the population is younger than 35.
Culture13 Because Groningen is the urban centre of
the north of the Netherlands and has such a large student population, its cultural scene is remarkably big and diverse.
14 It has a vibrant and famous nightlife, dominated by students. Bars in the centre are allowed to stay open 24 hours a day.
15 Underground pop club Vera has a great reputa-tion among alternative music lovers all over the world. Bands like Nirvana, U2, White Stripes and Sonic Youth performed here in the early days of their career.
16 The most important museum is the Groninger Museum. It has a great collection of modern art, but is mostly famous for its controversial construction designed by Alessandro Mendini.
17 Other museums in Groningen include a comics museum, tobacco museum, and science museum.
Economy18 Economic capital of the north of the
Netherlands.
19 Largest natural gas-field in Western Europe.
20 Europe’s fastest computer, Stella, is located on Zernike Campus in Groningen.
21 One of the Netherlands’ largest shipbuilding centres.
Transport22 The centre of Groningen is partly closed off to
cars, so it is a very safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians and bikers.
23 Only two hours away from Utrecht, two-and-a-half from Amsterdam, and three hours from The Hague and Rotterdam.
24 Groningen is located very close to the German border. It’s only two hours away from Bremen, and three hours from Hamburg.
25 There are direct buses between Groningen and Bremen airport, run by Publicexpress (www.publicex-press.de). From Bremen Airport you can fly with Ryanair to many destinations in Europe at a very low price (Milan, Malaga, Barcelona, London, Oslo, Stockholm)
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A Year of Xperiences in Groningen
AUGUSTKEI-Week There is no better way for new students to meet people and explore the city than participating in the KEI-Week. This event is an introduction week aimed at first-year students and takes place a couple of weeks before the beginning of the studies. Groups of 12 to 15 students are formed, guided by two KEI-leaders. The KEI-group explores the city through different activities and events, including a lot of partying. The KEI-week is so popular that even inhabitants of Groningen participate just for fun.
Noorderzon The Performing Arts Festival Noorderzon is one of the most important cultural events in The Netherlands. It started as a small music festival, but by now Noorderzon has become a big cultural event mainly focussing on international theatre performances. Still, next to theatre the festival also offers other activities including, music, art exhibitions, food and drinks. Being located in the Noorderplantsoen, a popular park in the centre of Groningen, the festival does not only offer a diverse programme but also pleasant surroundings. Noorderzon provides a relaxing and entertaining atmosphere, the perfect combination to enjoy the mild summer in Groningen.
Bommen Berend The day that the Independence of Groningen, that was besieged by the troops of the bishop of Münster in 1672, is celebrated. This used to be a day of thanksgiving and celebration, and has now turned in to a great free event with music and other amusement for all ages. The original reason for the celebration of this day has long been forgotten, but the Bommen Berend Festival derives its name from the bishop of Münster who attacked Groningen: Berend was his name and bombs were what he shot, hence Bommen Berend. Nowadays this day is celebrated with diverse markets and festivities in the city centre, but the main attraction is in the City Park, which hosts many live performances of bands and artists. The day usually ends with lots of fireworks in the City Park.
SEPTEMBERNoorderlicht Photo festivalEvery year Noorderlicht organises its International Photo festival, in which diverse photographic genres and series are welded into a thematic narrative. The location for the International Photo festival alternates between Groningen and Leeuwarden. It is a cultural event with both national and international stature.
Viva la Focus! Dutch Mobile Film Festival - More info at vivalafocus.nl
OCTOBERMidnight Express Jazz Festival The Midnight Express is a dynamic cross-over Jazz Festival encouraging modern, local forms of jazz in Groningen. Young talents perform in different locations throughout the city during the one-week event. Next to live music, Midnight Express offers a wide range of additional activities that are, of course, also jazz-related. This diverse program includes jam sessions, gigs, exhibitions, film projects, lectures and more. Midnight Express gives all students the chance to broaden their musical horizon through one week of dynamic jazz entertainment. Student Theatre Festival – Student theatre groups from the Netherlands and abroad perform in Groningen. More info at studententheaterfestival.nl
NOVEMBERCiné PremièresFrench Movie Festival
Jonge Harten FestivalTheatre festival for young people offering theatre and dance performances as well as workshops and classes. More info at jongeharten.nl
DECEMBERSinterklaas 5 December - A national and traditional Dutch celebration, mainly for children but grown-ups are not afraid to celebrate this Dutch alternative for Santa Clause either. Sinterklaas and his helper, Zwarte Piet, arrive around the third week of November by steam boat. On 5 December, his birthday, he brings all Dutch children presents.
Christmas25/26 December - as in many other parts of the world, Christmas is also celebrated in Groningen. The city centre is decorated with the nicest Christmas lighting and a big Christmas tree is put up at the Grote Markt. Besides it, you can ice skate in a little skating rink.
Oud en Nieuw 31 December - Dutch People also celebrate New Years Eve, traditionally with lots and lots of fireworks and champagne. Almost every club or café in Groningen organises a New Year’s party.
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JANUARYEurosonic Noorderslag Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) is a huge music event that focuses on live performances and new upcoming national (Noorderslag) and international, European talent (Eurosonic). ESNS consist of many live performances by famous bands and rising stars. Part of ESNS is a conference about national and international music business, and national and international awards are given out. Performances take place literally everywhere in Groningen, from theatres to little bars. In the last decade, Eurosonic has become the most important European talent music festival for music journalists, record labels and bookers of the big European music festivals. So if you want to spot the new talent before they climb the stages of Glastonbury, Rock Am Ring, Sziget, and Roskilde, you better buy a ticket for ESNS!
FEBRUARYStukafest Culture in student rooms – this is the purpose of Stukafest! The name is short for “Studentenkamer Festival” which means “student room festival”. The idea of the festival is that student rooms are transformed into little stages all over the city. During one evening three rounds of performances are offered ranging from theatre to music, dance and cabaret. Every participant can create their own programme by deciding which events to visit. The audience have 30 minutes between the rounds to bike from one student room to the other, where the next performance takes place between a study desk and a second-hand couch. The evening ends in a big party, where all participants get together.
International Film Festival Rotterdam in GroningenSmall version of the international film festival in Rotterdam.
APRILAnnual Flower FairMore info on bloemenjaarmarkt.nl
Queen’s Day30 April. Queen’s Day is celebrated on Friday 30 April. Officially it’s the celebration of the birthday of former Queen Juliana, although it started as Princess’s Day in celebration of her mother, Queen Wilhelmina. Nowadays Queen’s Day is a day of national celebration. Everything on this day serves to show our nationalistic side. The typical colour you find everywhere that day, orange, comes from the last name of the Dutch Royal family, Van Oranje (‘Of Orange’). So make sure you wear something orange to fit in with the crazy Dutch!
MAY Liberation Festival 5 May. Liberation Day, or Bevrijdingsdag, as the Dutch call it, is celebrated on 5 May. It serves to commemorate the liberation of The Netherlands after the Second World War. On 4 May the victims of the war are remembered, and on 5 May our freedom is celebrated. The main party place on this day is the Stadspark (City park), where all sorts of events are organized throughout the day. There are several stages with live music, and there are also other things to do, such as relaxing at the ‘square of inner peace’. Here you can get a massage, or attend a palm-reading or yoga workshop. There are also some areas with dance music, local Groningen talent, and much more. And all of this is for FREE!
JUNEA Rocket Ride to Gideon Music FestivalAlternative music festival held yearly at a squad area just outside of the city. Main focus is punk, reggae and dance. More info at gideon-festival.nl
Swingin’ GroningenJazz, Soul & Grooves festival in the centre of Groningen. Three nights of free live music on the biggest squares of the city.
JULYNew Attraction FestivalThis festival is the biggest urban festival of the North of the Netherlands, with live hiphop, R&B, dance performances, urban art and much more. More info at newattraction.com
Peter de Grote (Peter the Great) Festival28 July – 7 August - The Peter the Great Festival is a classical music festival with over forty concerts in the North of Holland during two weeks. The concerts are being combined with lectures, diners, walking-tours, and museum visits. An important part of the festival consists of the Summer Academy for young, talented singers, pianists, organ players, double bass players and string instrumentalists. More info at peterdegrotefestival.nl/en/
17
The Netherlands is the sixteenth largest economy of the world according to its GDP. Although
the cost of living in the Netherlands has increased steadily in recent years and can be quite
expensive, it remains lower than in some other European countries. The Netherlands is one of
the two cheapest countries in Europe to buy groceries, along with Germany. Of course living
costs will depend a lot on your lifestyle and your social life. On these pages, you can find
average prices of common products and some low-budget tips.
What does it all cost? (and how do I save money?)
TransportSecond hand bike € 30 - € 80 Local bus € 1,50 (one hour)
Bus to Bremen Airport € 19 (one way advance booking)
€ 24 (return advance booking)
€ 23 (one way on bus)
Train to Amsterdam € 23 (one way ticket)
€ 46 (same day return journey)
Going outBeer € 2,20 Soda € 2,00Wine € 2,50Cocktail € 6
During Happy Hour, there are many places where you can get two cocktails for the price of one, and beer between € 0,60 and one euro
Disclaimer: All prices are estimated and may vary based on location and time.
HousingRent € 350
Housing Office offers
rooms between € 265 to € 650
FastFoodHamburgers and other
fried snacks € 1- € 2,50
Pizza € 5 - € 10
Shawarma / Kebab € 4,50
Chinese menu: € 8 - € 11 (1 portion is enough for 2 people)
Nasi (rice with ham, vegetables and egg) € 4
Bami (noodles with ham, vegetables and egg) € 4
Disclaimer: All prices are estimated and may vary based on location and time.
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TOP 3 low budgetMamamini (Noorderbinnensingel 100) Very popular store among students, in which you can find all kinds of second hand products for very low prices, like clothes, furniture, books and electronics, but also old Dutch relics.
Aktie Maxi (Noorderstationsstraat 18)Big retail store in which you can get all kinds of cheap products for your room and your daily life (shower gel, blankets, perfume, toothpaste, but also pens, paper, etc.)
Aldi and LidlYou can save a substantial amount of money if you go to these supermarkets to do your groceries. You can buy a package of spaghetti for € 0,39, one litre of milk for € 0,39, a litre of orange juice for € 0,89 and one kilo of chicken for € 4. Lidl has special international weeks with products from different countries.
Methods of PaymentThe most common methods of payment for goods and services in the Netherlands are cash and debit cards (the latter use a PIN number to authorize payment and you will often hear Dutch people ask if they can “pin” for something when wanting to pay). It is quite common for people in Holland to use cash, even for large purchases, either at the store or when the items are delivered to their home. Small purchases are sometimes made using a type of smartcard, called a chipknip, which has to be topped up with money from a bank account.
Hanze UAS Canteen, AtriumFull Lunch (bread, milk, fruit, candy bar) € 3,50
Soup € 0,50
Fries € 1,60
Sandwich ham & cheese € 1,90
Salad € 2,50
Fruit € 0,50
Bottle of water € 1,10
Coke € 1,20
Fruit smoothie € 2,50
Coffee/Tea (Fresh) € 0,95
Cappuccino € 1,10
Coffee/Tea (Machine) € 0,45
Disclaimer: All prices are estimated and may vary based on location and time.
Other:Sports Card at ACLO € 40 (available for one semester. It includes courses and free sporting)
Cheap cell phone plus 10 euro credit € 25 (For the first weeks or months, you will be required to use a prepaid sim card, since most cell companies require to know you bank account, and perhaps even your BSN number, which you can request at the City Hall. Initially, you can use prepaid cards from companies like Lebara or Ortel.)
Disclaimer: All prices are estimated and may vary based on location and time.
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International students Denise
and Daniel have been living
in Groningen for a couple of
years. By now, they know how
to spend their money wisely in
The Netherlands.
Total costsDaniel: ‘I think my living expenses are around 600 euro per month. My rent is 300, the rest is for food, clothes, and going out.’Denise: ‘I spend a bit more, around 700 euro. My rent is 350, so I need 350 for the rest.’
TransportationDaniel: ‘It’s unbelievably expensive. A little bus ride is already 1,50 euro.’Denise: ‘The best thing to do as soon as you arrive here is buy a bike and a discount card for trains.’
RoomsDaniel: ‘I found my room through Kamernet.nl, a Dutch website specialized in student rooms. It works great, but the only disadvantages is that lots of people react to the ads, so you have to compete with other students for each room.’
Denise: ‘You also have to pay to be able to react to available rooms, around 20 euro per month or a couple of euro’s per reply.’
Going OutDenise: ‘Going out is not so expensive. A beer is 2 euro, similar to what I am used to at home. In Brasil, you have to pay to get into a club. It can be anything between 3 to 30 euro. In the Netherlands it is usually for free or maximum 5 euro.’Daniel: ‘I don’t really go to these kinds of clubs, so I hardly ever pay an entrance fee. When you are low on cash, you can choose to organise a pre-drink at home or go to a bar where they have special deals, like Het Kasteel.’
GroceriesDaniel: ‘Food is way more expensive here than what I am used to in Colombia.’
Denise: ‘I agree, but it depends a bit on where you buy your food. If you don’t want to spend too much, you can go to the market or to discount supermarkets like Aldi or the Lidl.’Daniel: ‘I think fish is the most expensive here. It’s strange, because The Netherlands is next to the sea.’
Low on cashDaniel: ‘When I am low on cash I call Mama Bank, haha! Family or parents can usually help you out until the next month.’ Denise: ‘If you really don’t have much money left, you can go out a bit less, and organize more house parties. I also make lists to check my budget.’Daniel: ‘It’s good to make a list of where you can get things the cheapest.’Denise: ‘I try to do weekly grocery shopping. If you go every day, you spend much more money.’
Money perience
Denise Lopes & Daniel Machado
STUDy: Pop Culture
HomE CoUnTrIES: Brasil & Colombia
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As an international student you
will never know Groningen as
well as the locals. But we can
help you out a bit! Here are the
ten places you have to visit at
least once while you are here.
1 Swimming & Tanning at Hoornse PlasYes, we have something that resembles a beach, but don’t expect any waves, sand or beach bars. It is nothing fancy, but when the weather is nice, it is the perfect spot to get a tan and cool down in the lake. It is just twenty minutes away from the city by bike.
2 Dutch Snacks at FEBO The Dutch don’t really have an impressive food culture, but we do know how to make some nasty snacks that taste best after a couple of beers. But the kroketten and frikandellen are not the real attraction of FEBO. It is the fact that you eat them out of a wall that makes this one of the weirdest dining experi-ences you will have in Holland.
3 Park life in NoorderplantsoenOn sunny days, a lot of students love to visit the Noorderplantsoen, a park right next to the city centre that is the perfect place to chill, have a picnic and drink a cold one.
4 Fresh Food at VismarktForget about Albert Heijn, if you really want to taste some typical Dutch cheese, vegetables or fish, go visit the market on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday. You can also buy lots of flowers for very reasonable prices.
5 Underground in Il Sole In Cantina One of the most hard-to-find places in Groningen is Il Sole in Cantina in the Haddingestraat, a side street of the Vismarkt. Main reason is that this is not actually a bar. It’s a basement of a private house, but on Saturday night, the Italian owner opens her doors to the jazz aficionados of Groningen. Since it is a private gathering and not a public bar, you have to knock on the door and wait for one of the people inside to let you in.
6 Reggae in ZolderHidden in one of the more shady alleys of Gron-ingen, de Papengang, you can find De Zolder (‘the attic’). Usually this is the home of pot heads, hippies, chess players and outcasts, but on Tuesday night they organize their infamous Reggae Jam Session. All ganja lovers, Marley fans, and Jah followers gather here to listen to and play reggae.
7 Lounging at Spring’sSpring’s roof terrace is hard to find but worth look-ing for. Go into the building next to Vindicat at the Grote Markt and take the elevator to the highest floor. Here you will have a great view of the city while sippin’ on a cool cocktail.
8 Go Dutch in Het FeestWant to experience how Dutch students like to party? Go here. That’s all we’ll tell. Just check it out!
9 Modern Art in Groninger MuseumRight opposite the train station you find one of the most controversial museums of the Netherlands. Equally loved and hated by locals for its strange shapes and colours, the building at least draws the attention. Inside you can find some really great modern art. Exhibitions change each season, so keep an eye on the programme.
10 Eclectic Dance in VeraVera has a great reputation among alternative music lovers all over the world. Bands like Nirvana, U2, White Stripes and Sonic Youth performed here in the early days of their career. During the week the club organises concerts, but on Saturday the place transforms into an underground nightclub during Swingavond (Swinging night). If you like your music weird and eclectic, this is where you go.
Hot Spots of Groningen
21
Why did you choose Groningen?‘Because there is a high quality business school here and because my father comes here a lot for his business. Also there are a lot of similarities in how our country works economically. Holland and South Korea are both small in terms of square kilometres, but have a lot of resources. These similarities are very interesting to my studies.’
What is the biggest difference in culture?‘Definitely the way people address each other. In Korea, when we give feedback, we do it as politely and as “sugarcoated” as possible, here in Holland it is exactly the opposite.
What do you miss most about your country?‘I definitely miss the mountains. Everything here is so flat! In my country I like to do a lot of winter sports activities, but that’s not possible here. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first came here. Besides that I obviously miss my friends and family a lot.’
What did you do during the holidays?‘For Christmas I went to Dusseldorf. I really liked it there, Christmas in Germany is very big. They have a lot of lights and trees and so on. For New Year’s I stayed in Groningen, which was also very nice. The fireworks are not as impressive as in Korea, but it comes quite close.’
Do you like your studies here in the Netherlands?‘The quality of the studies is very high, so I really like that. Also I get the possibility to travel for my studies. I really want to go to China for half a year. It is nice that I get all these opportunities.’
Student perience
Jeongwook Heo
STUDIES: International Business & Languages HomE CoUnTry: South Korea, 48.6 million inhabitants, 2.5 times the size of the Netherlands
22
Tim: ‘Asdren and I are close friends, we met during the first week of our study programme at Hanze UAS, the same place where we met again after spend-ing eye-opening times abroad. While Asdren collected experiences in Scotland and Switzerland, I explored Southeast Asia for more than one year.’
Consumerism or social business?Asdren: ‘Surprisingly, we both were in the agonising situation of not knowing what future direction to take. Do I have to make a contribution to the never-ending consumerism cycle of exploitation, or can I create something new, partly for profits, to solve social problems? The answer came as a surprise!’Tim: ‘Through friends of friends we first heard about the MAMMU project in Latvia. Just as unexpected as we came into contact with the idea, we were invited to join a Social Business Creative Lab in Frankfurt, where the project was presented as a best practice. Inspired by the social business idea and relieved of our dilemma, NGO or pure profit?, hands were shaken rapidly.’
Fashion and changing society Asdren: ‘MAMMU produces a unique scarf collection designed by fashion designer Liva Kauke-Saule. Her handmade scarves combine the natural fiber of linen with pastel-coloured accents. The collection is more than a scarf, it’s a concept with the aim to change society. It is all about the implementation of the concept called social business, invented and successfully applied by the Business Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus. The concept is based on the Grameen Bank’s (Bank of the poor, ed.) social business principles.’
Mothers in needTim: ‘Being sexy, contemporary, transparent and particularly open for co-operation with people and their new ideas, it is more than a fashion brand. The scarves are produced by mothers in need, widows, or mothers who are unemployed because of the economic situation. We educate them through work-shops and provide resources, the textiles originate from local eco-friendly suppliers. They can manu-facture under better conditions and earn more .’
Graduation & entrepreneurship Asdren: ‘It is our goal to apply our knowledge and to write a graduation assignment on the MAMMU enterprise. We target the entire European market. With the collaboration of creative people all over the world we are looking forward to extend the product portfolio from accessories to complete casual outfits.’
Riga & futureAsdren: ‘The Baltic region offers fascinating land-scapes, a wonderful food culture, the people are honest and have a realism that is very welcoming and something we could all learn from. Indeed, one can immediately recognise that Latvia was part of the former Soviet Union, which makes it exciting to discover differences compared to Western Europe . Tim: ‘It is a great gift to explore the Baltic, we want to make the enormous gap between rich and poor smaller. We both are aware of our responsibility for the next generations. Therefore, our plans for the future are to live a good, happy and conscious life, respecting others.’
Share Your Talent, Move The World
Tim Rasenberger, fourth-
year student International
Communication and Asdren
Krasniqi, fourth year student
International Business &
Management, are undertaking
an internship in
The Latvian capital of Riga for
a fashion brand that engages
in social business.
Internship perience
23
How did you end up teaching at Hanze?‘I did the Executive MBA at Hanze UAS and stayed in touch through the alumni association. At some point the International Business School was looking for an Operations Management lecturer. Since that is my field, they asked me if I was interested. They thought my work experience would add value to the classroom.’
What does your work experience add to your teaching?‘What students appreciate is that I can come up with examples from my sixteen years of work experience. If I can wrap those years into basic concepts and pass that knowledge to students, it really gives them an advantage in the field.’
And what does being a lecturer add to your work as a business man?‘When you’re a lecturer, you are supposed to be the one that knows everything and explains everything. But it’s good for me that one hour later I am back to business reality, thinking “what was the theory for this situation again?” It keeps me ground-ed. It constantly reminds me that my students will be confronted with the same problems that I am confronted with.’
What can students expect from your classes?‘When I started, I was afraid students would think Operations Management would be a very technical course. Marketing seems more fun. I came up with something I call Operation Experience. We recreate a complete business, including a management, a production department, clients, and suppliers.
That way I can simulate situations that really happen on the work floor.‘If you give a lecture, students remember around five percent. When they actually experience some-thing, you end up with around seventy to eighty percent. That’s what happens during the Operations Experience.’
What does our slogan Share Your Talent, Move The World mean to you?‘I also teach self-development and I always tell my students that it is not just about the knowledge that they bring into an organisation, but just as much about their personality and their personal qualities. ‘This is a university, we aim to develop talents. I am here to share my talent, my knowledge and my experiences. I want to send them into the world with an advantage. And I hope they will do the same after they graduate.’
Lecturer perience
Bernoud Jonker Work: Owner 2Com2 Internet & JBMS Consultancy
CoUrSE: External Lecturer Operations Management
SCHool: International Business School (MBA)
24
Why did you come to Groningen?‘I came to Groningen to complete my Master degree. I did my Bachelor in India and I did the first semester of my Master in the UK. It was very useful for me to have another educational system experience rather than India or the UK, so I came to The Netherlands. Groningen has given me the best international experience I have ever had and I have interacted with many other students. I prefer Groningen to Cam-bridge for studying, because it is different from the system we have in India. India has more in common with the British educational system because of the colonial past.’
Which are the differences in education between The Netherlands and India?‘In terms of workload, it is more or less the same in The Netherlands, UK and India. However, the
working environment is completely different. In Indian and British universities there is less focus on group work, decisions are mostly taken individually. However, in Hanze UAS we worked in multicultural groups, learning to take decisions together. That was a great learning experience, because international managers need to understand these aspects of busi-ness and deal with many countries and nationali-ties.’
Was it difficult to work in groups with different cultures?‘Not really, because the people who do an MBA have work experience and an international background, so they are professional. Everybody is nice and it is a challenging experience because of the different ages and cultural backgrounds.’
How do you like Groningen?‘I love this city and I have had a great time here. The city is good, one of the best student cities in The Netherlands, you just see so many students in the streets and there is lot of knowledge around. In India, we do not have typical student cities. Also, Dutch people are very nice and friendly. Even if you do not speak Dutch, they give you their ideas and point of views. What I like the least is the weather because it is too cold and in India it is very hot. Although I admit that it is nice to see snow.’
Student perience
Sitaramaraju Uppalapati (30) CoUnTry: India, 1.16 billion inhabitants,
80 times the size of the Netherlands
STUDIES: MBA in International Business and Management
25
What is the difference between a university of applied sciences and a traditional university?‘Here we focus on problem-based learning. I studied Law at the University of Utrecht, a research univer-sity, and worked there as well. I think I like the way we work at Hanze UAS more, putting theory into practice. Learning by doing. It also makes it easier for me to keep up-to-date with the professional field.‘The combination of theory and practice keeps my work dynamic. People who work in the field of communication ask me for theoretical background information, while students want me to give practi-cal examples that back up the theories they learn.’
How do international students react to it at first? ‘Usually they really want this learning by doing. A lot of students tell me they heard that this is one of the benefits of studying in the Netherlands: we are good at that. They really enjoy doing projects for real organisations and businesses. Still, sometimes new students can be a bit shocked when they have their first classes. It’s quite a big transition.’
What can students expect?‘You have to prepare for very active participation in class. You cannot just sit down and listen to the teacher here. It is not just about taking notes, but also about solving problems and working in groups.’
Do you still learn from your students?‘Very often! International students give you new perspectives on matters because they come from different cultures. They can come with solutions that I would never have thought of.’
What does our slogan Share Your Talent, Move The World mean to you?‘Sharing knowledge and talent is something very valuable for both students and teachers. But if students will also use their talents to change the world for the better, I don’t know. That’s really up to them! My most important goal is to motivate students. It is very satisfying to hear that partly because of your classes or enthusiasm students find their way in life.’
Lecturer perience
Astrid BergCoUrSE: Public Affairs
SCHool: International Communication (Master)
26
Tell us about the Liszt Piano Concours in Utrecht.‘I can just say it was a great time. A warm audience and a fantastic organization. It was difficult to go on the stage at the Finale Solo and to play fifteen minutes for 1500 people... However, it went okay. Sometimes you are quiet, sometimes very nervous. I have not found a system to control my nerves yet. Conductor Jaap van Zweden was very kind. Maybe that helped. My teacher Rian de Waal and I had discussed the repertoire very carefully. I was very enthusiastic about these Liszt pieces, because some of them are played very rarely. After I won the second prize, I went on a tour in Holland, giving recitals in many cities with the Rubens Quartet.’
Why did you come to Groningen?‘Three years ago I was studying at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatoire. A Russian friend of mine told me about pianist Rian de Waal who taught in The Hague and Groningen. That aroused my inter-est. I listened to some of his performances on the
internet and I liked those immensely. I wrote him a letter, asking him if he would listen to me. I travelled to Holland, hoping he would like my music. He accepted me as a student.’
Tragically, Rian de Waal passed away recently.‘I still find it difficult to talk about him. He was such a fantastic lecturer, a wonderful human being. I never met anyone so kind. He was a great friend and the best lecturer I ever had.’
In Groningen you live with a sponsor family‘Rian wrote a letter to Herman and Cora Labberté and they decided to give me a scholarship. They have a fund for musicians from eastern Europe. I lived with them in their house in Glimmen. They have become my Dutch father and mother.’
And your real parents?‘I’m from a musical family. My mother plays the piano and the accordion and my father plays the bayan, a typically Russian instrument like an accor-
dion but with buttons instead of a keyboard. I come from the city of Penza in Russia. My parents moved to Moscow to give a professional piano education to their two daughters. My sister Yulia, who is four years younger, has also become a concert pianist. She works a lot with children. In Moscow I live with my husband who designs and makes furniture. I work all day, practising and giving concerts. I only have time for other things late at night. It’s a busy life, but I like it.’
How would you describe your style?‘That’s very hard. Apart from a few really great pianists who are immediately recognisable, many pianists nowadays have an international style. German students study in Moscow, Russians go to the US and perform in Japan, there is such a lot of exchange. What I feel very strongly about is to follow the music. I try to be as different as the music is. I read a lot about the composers whose work I perform so that I know who they were and what they wanted with their music.’
‘I follow the music’
She won the second prize in the
prestigious International Liszt Piano
Concours last April. Piano student
Olga Kozlova (24) lives alternately
in Groningen and Moscow. ‘I lead a
busy life, but I like it.’
27
Why did you choose Groningen for your studies?‘I wanted to study abroad, so I looked for Engineering bachelors all over Europe. In the harbour of my city you find many shipyards owned by Dutch ship-building companies. I grew up learning that the Dutch were very good engineers, so that influenced my choice to come here.‘When I was in high school, I liked Physics and Mathematics. I wanted to study Engineering, but was not sure which direction to take. In Romania I would have to choose between Electronics and Mechanics, but I liked both. Hanze offers both in the first year, so I really liked that.’
What makes studying at Hanze UAS special?‘In Romania, universities are very good at teaching theory. Big companies like Microsoft and Apple get a lot of programmers from Romania because they have a lot of knowledge. But I was looking for a more practice-based approach. I don’t want to become a professor, I want to create things. ‘Here I also program, around sixty percent of the time. You can build a robot, but if you want it to do something, you have to program it as well. So it is not that I don’t like programming, I just don’t want to be behind a computer all the time. I want to see how the robot performs as well. ‘The school has good connections with companies. We visited Shell and NAM. We have professors from these companies who teach us. I like that. They give you an insight into your own future.’
What does our slogan Share Your Talent, Move The World mean to you?‘I think as an engineer you can really move the world. If you combine robotics and health care, you can really improve surgery, for instance. Nowadays there are robots that can perform surgery with the surgeon controlling the robot from a distance. That really creates a lot of possibilities for the future. ‘I want to do something special. If I just do my job well, I will get bored. I need to be able to be creative, invent something. I like to aim high, it keeps me motivated. So I would love to invent something that moves the world, like a robot that can save people’s lives. But if my invention has a bit less impact than that, I don’t mind. At least for now I want to have the feeling that I can work on something special.’
Student perience
Claudiu IlincanuSTUDIES: Advanced Sensor Applications
HomE CoUnTry: Romania, 21.9 million people, 5.7 times the size of The Netherlands
28
I bet that most of you have heard about happy hour before, but there is also another happy hour that does not involve drinking. This one might even be better. Every Monday from 6 p.m. till 7 p.m. on local radio station OOG Radio, a group of international students gather to present Happy Hour FM. The one-hour show provides news and fun for everybody who is curious about what is going on in Groningen and where they can find the hottest parties and events. One hour before the show, the Happy Hour FM crew is already busy preparing. Presenters are looking for the latest news, while guests from bands and different student organizations wait for their turn to walk into the studio. A word of welcome , a song , the latest news, another song and then the first topic of the day. Happy Hour FM is on it. To finish on a funny note, the comedians of Stranger Things Have Happened add some live stand-up comedy at the end of each show.
So now you know what you have to do if you want to stay up-to-date with international student life in Groningen. Tune in on 106.6 FM or listen to the show live on happyhourfm.com!
In the studio of Happy Hour FM
Do you want to join the radio
show or would you just like
to get more information?
Contact Happy Hour at
29
ColophonHanzeXperience is a publication of the department
of Marketing & Communication of Hanze
University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, in
cooperation with the editorial staff of HanzeMag,
the independent magazine of Hanze UAS.
Website on student lifeAre you looking for an extensive, yet clear overview
of what Groningen has to offer? Thanks to GroningenLife
you can stop searching!
EditorsChris Wind – Editor-in-chiefLuuk Steemers – Final Editor
Student writersAnn-Fleur PraetoriusBen SchumacherDenise LopesElina KisieleKasper BatterinkMarte PruisTania Ouariachi Peralta
PhotographersBen SchumacherChris Wind
Deborah RoffelIvar van BusselLuuk Steemers Pepijn van den BroekeTania Ouariachi Peralta
Lay-outSebastiaan Lenting, Grafische Industrie De Marne B.V.
PrintGrafische Industrie De Marne B.V.
GroningenLife! is an online magazine for students who consider studying at one of the universities in Gronin-gen. GroningenLife! is an initiative of Hanze Univer-sity of Applied Sciences, Groningen, and the University of Groningen.
The useful website offers nice-to-know information on student life in Groningen. For instance, where do international students live? What activities can inter-national students participate in? What does Groningen have to offer? Curious? Go to:
Groningenlife.com!
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ContactInternational Student Office
P.O. box 30379701 DA GroningenThe NetherlandsT +31 (0)50 595 40 51F +31 (0)50 595 49 99E [email protected]
www.hanzegroningen.eu
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