"Acculturation - the Dutch", a workshop organised by SMIT on August 14 for new international Master's students from 23 countries, offered the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Dutch way of life and break the ice with each other.
The workshop began with two presentations - the first on SMIT and extra- curricular activities at the UT. SMIT volunteer, Inge, started the second presentation with biking rules and commonly seen things - bike pump, flowers, beer crate and big feet! The importance of punctuality was then stressed - ironically a group of students walked in late, just after the briefing on time management was over. Dutch food and meal timings were next and the audience noted never to call on people unannounced especially around dinner time. Finally, festivals like Sint Maarten and Sinterklaas were covered. Of the Monarchy, the audience learnt that Princess Maxima shall deliver a little prince or princess soon.
Inge took the audience through the Dutch pronunciations of 'ei', 'aa' and the much dreaded 'g'. The eager-to-learn audience parroted everything religiously after her - Inge's 'aa' was followed by a collective 'aaaaaa!' from the crowd.
Sampling Dutch food was next on the agenda. Drop, stroopwafels, haring, cheese - it was all there. Zhang Hong, China said, "It tastes like Chinese medicine". Connie Nshemereivwe, Uganda, "I am flabbergasted that people eat bread for lunch! I tried it - it is not filling at all." According to Paavo Vulup, Estonia, "It is not really a culture shock for me since I am from Europe. Things are not so different. The exception is cheese - it is excellent."
Maria Fernanda, Colombia and Deysi Vera, Bolivia had other concerns on their mind. "The presentation was interesting but they should have given information on passes and tickets for travelling, how to look for alternative accommodation, where one can get a bike and making international phone calls."
Some answers were provided in the interactive discussion that followed the food sampling. A variety of questions was asked in the open forum. Can one be threatened with a gun or knife walking down the street? Are shorts appropriate office wear, or should one wear a tie? Does racism exist? Do boys also kiss three times? What clothing should one wear in winter? Is there a professional football club here? Can one really do anything one wants in the Netherlands? Where can one take Dutch lessons?
An experience of visiting the dubious coffee shops was shared by a student who was charmed by their soothing lighting and wonderful atmosphere. There was much discussion about Dutch family relations - a student expressed disgust on learning that it is common to put elders in a care home when they cannot take care of them themselves. It was explained to her that it did not mean one did not care for elders but she did not seem convinced.
After the workshop, Rector Magnificus Frans van Vught gave a welcome address; his first - ever to international Master's students. The rest of the day was packed with a picnic on the Ganzenveld and activities like juggling and harmony singing.
The workshop seemed to have succeeded, in familiarising strange surroundings and customs, in increasing comfort levels and reducing anxieties - prerequisites to appreciating oneÆs experiences in another country.
