‘They have great chocolate milk here’

Leiden University prepared a warm welcome for its international students on 2 and 3 February 2012.  The students started in the second semester of the 2011-2012 academic year and were given an introduction to Leiden and to Dutch customs and habits.  A report. with a film and photo series. 

From Turkey to the Netherlands

The students arrive in dribs and drabs at Plexus student centre, the starting point of the city walk. One female student sits fanatically pressing the buttons of her mobile phone. She is having problems registering with uSis, having arrived in the Netherlands just two days before from Turkey to study Law. 'Your education system is completely different from the Turkish system; I hope that studying here will make it possible for me to apply different approaches to the law.'

Watch the slide show of the 'Introduction Days'

The Dutch are very direct

Tripi, a student from India, also chose to study Law in Leiden. ‘Dutch people are known for their honesty,’ she comments. ‘I want to know what it's like to communicate with the Dutch. You see, in my country, people are very hospitable towards everyone, but they beat about the bush if there's something difficult to be said. Dutch people, on the other hand, are only hospitable to people they know, and they are very direct.  I want to experience these differences myself.'  

Hats, scarves and gloves

‘Cold!’, this group of international students said as one voice when asked about their first impression of the Netherlands. Sporting hats, scarves and gloves they gathered around their guides to learn about the history of Leiden. The practical aspects were also covered: where to go for the best international parties, but also where it's best not to go because it's too expensive or because the standards of hygiene may not be up to scratch.'

Warming up

After an hour of visiting the sights of Leiden, the darkening sky threatened to unleash another snowstorm: time to warm up in Einstein. Chocolate milk is a firm favourite among the students: 'They have great chocolate milk here. In my country it's a kind of mix of syrup and hot water; this is much better!' enthuses a student from Boston.  She chose to study in Leiden because the International Court of Law is close by: 'I want to gain experience here in international law.'

Information Fair

Back at Plexus, it's very busy. All the international students are offered a cooked lunch and there's a small information fair where they can find out about sports, renting a room, language courses (in Dutch), the theatre, debates, local churches and choirs.

Links

Leiden through the eyes of an international student

(7 February 2012 / text and photo Emy Jansons – van Steekelenburg, photo galley Rona Nisar, film Janou Zoet)