Afbeelding
“I found that the best thing about the StudyStartWeek was how it forced me to be open. It kind of pushed me out of my comfort zone. At the time, I hated it, but now, it’s like, wow, thank you! It made me more open, more understanding and more able to think outside the box. And it meant that when I started my studies the following week, I was already braver. It was simply done. It was just a case of the hosts being honest and real and saying ‘hey, whatever you need, whenever you need, just come. Let’s talk.’ There were bonding games and activities that all helped a lot, and if you didn’t turn up for something, they called to check you were ok or needed help. I think that was really cute.”
Packed programme
“The week was absolutely packed and I was tired the whole time. It felt as if I hardly had time to breathe but that’s because there was so much going on. It’s not just that there’s a full programme for the StudyStartWeek, it’s also that there’s a lot of adjusting you need to do as a new, international student. Even something like grocery shopping isn’t as simple as you might think. Everything’s different here.
My StudyStartWeek had a lot of fun things on the programme and at first I was worried I wasn’t getting enough information about my degree and how things were organised, but actually, the activities and the socializing gave me the confidence to start my studies the following week. I needed the fun things and the kick-off lectures more than anything else at that moment. Nowadays, the programme has more formal elements to it. Students are so driven now. It’s like the new generation want to be smart, social and brave and they’re really keen to get their work done well.”
Opening up
“Now I’m involved in the organisation of the StudyStartWeek, I really enjoy seeing how students open up. They’re usually fairly shy on the first day, and then on the second day, when we organise a scavenger hunt, you see them running around shouting. They’re so lively and free. The programme has something for everyone and I feel like a kind of mother hen, watching how they grow with each activity. And it’s a network you keep. We all stay in touch, even beyond the study period.
I would recommend the StudyStartWeek to everyone. You get to meet new people, which is especially great if you’re a foreigner in the country, and it’s not only people you like, but also people that like you. The StudyStartWeek basically helps you make connections and gives you the comfort of knowing people before you even walk into your first class.”
