Starting your studies in the Netherlands and at the University of Twente (UT) can be a major change for international students. In general, moving to a different country with its own distinct culture and academic system can be difficult to assimilate into. This is no exception for the Netherlands. However, with a few tips and guidance from the Romanian Student Association, this process can become much easier to undergo and experience.
The biggest cultural aspect that many international students experience when arriving in the Netherlands is that Dutch people are very honest and direct. This honestly can come off as rude or insincere for international students who come from a culture that tends to be careful with the way they speak to others. However, Dutch people and Dutch culture are very keen about stating your own opinions and beliefs, whether that can be seen as rude is usually a second thought.
This way of communicating and interacting with other people with complete honesty can take some time to get used to, however, over time, international students become familiarized with this culture and become more confident in their ideas and owning their opinions.
Transportation
When it comes to transportation, especially in Enschede/UT, bikes are a very easy and affordable way of getting around campus and the city. Bikes play a major role in Dutch culture. With the Netherlands being a relatively small country, and having designated bike lanes on roads, students can go almost anywhere with nothing but a bike. This is very beneficial for students as it is much cheaper than needing a car for daily tasks. This part of Dutch culture can be challenging for international students who haven’t learned how to bike or are unconfident in their biking capabilities and can seem intimidating in the beginning. But don’t worry because the Romanian Student Association is a welcoming community with friendly members who are more than willing to assist with any problems, questions, or fears that students may have about the biking culture and system here at UT.
Academic system
The academic system here at the University of Twente is unique and focuses more on group projects rather than individual assignments. Furthermore, lectures and class work operate more on an asynchronous timeline, meaning the courses and professors put more emphasis on studying on your own time rather than having many lectures and designated class times. For some international students, this system can seem unusual and overwhelming because of the added pressure and discipline needed to study on your own and not be told what to do. Becoming familiarized with UT’s academic system can be made easier with the support of the Romanian Student Association, with members who are accustomed to the academic system and can answer any questions students may have as they start their academic journey here at UT.
The University of Twente inspires collaboration between classmates and works to foster improved communication skills that will be beneficial for students when they enter the workplace. With UT being a heavily international school educating many students from all over the world, collaborative projects are an amazing opportunity for students to connect with classmates from different countries and cultures. This helps students become enlightened in the vast array of different beliefs and upbringings that their classmates grew up around, resulting in different perspectives and ideas culminating within their groups.
Romanian Student Association
In the Romanian Student Association, we aim to have a similar effect at UT by bringing Romanian culture to campus, allowing not just Romanian students to enjoy and learn about Romanian culture. We want to bring a bit of Romanian culture to the international environment of the University of Twente, which helps contribute to a University that is diverse and more welcoming to all countries and cultures across the world.
If you need more practical information regarding either admission or student life, take a look at the University of Twente’s Romanian portal.
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References
- A guide to understanding Dutch working culture. Undutchables. (n.d.). https://undutchables.nl/about-us/blog/a-guide-to-understanding-dutch-working-culture#:~:text=Generally%20speaking%2C%20a%20Dutch%20person,be%20thanked%20for%20your%20feedback.
- Hylke. (2023, June 2). 7 Fun facts about bikes in the Netherlands. University of Groningen. April 17, 2024, https://www.rug.nl/education/student-blog/7-fun-facts-about-bikes-in-the-netherlands?lang=en
- Example documents application: What do you need?. Universiteit Twente. (n.d.). https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/how-to-apply/required-documents-example/