Enschede evolved from a small textile center to the largest city in the province of Overijssel. People here proudly speak the local Twents dialect and are very attached to their city. Of course, the first thing a newcomer would know about is the Universiteit Twente with its vast, green campus, but Enschede has much more to offer. It has something for everybody: museums, music venues, theaters, cinemas, sport facilities, natural parks and gardens, discotheques, restaurants and cafés.
For art enthusiasts there is the Rijksmuseum with permanent and temporary exhibitions of painting, sculpture and decorative arts, Natuurmuseum featuring animal life in the region, Luchtvaartmuseum foraviation and Jannink Museum, an old textile factory.
For a peaceful evening of music one can go to the Muziekcentrum or to Diekmanhall where well-known orchestras and bands play music from all over the world. In June, it is interesting to see the International Folkloric Festival, organized yearly in Enschede. This is a great opportunity to see people from all over the world in their traditional dress, singing and dancing. You can talk to the participants directly and try saying 'Hello' in a new foreign language.
Unfortunately for those who love the theater, the only opportunity to go to Twenteschouwburg is to practice your Dutch. You can, however, go to the cinema: Cinestar, Alhambra, Concordia. Most movies are in the original language, with Dutch subtitles. If you want to see something not out of the Hollywood dream factory, try Concordia where you may find a film in your own language. The same chance is possible at the Belletterie film series on the UT campus.
If you like to dance: discothèques (e.g. De Kapsalon, Bastion, Miracle Planet) are the places to be on Thursday and Friday. You can learn or practice your own style of salsa or merengue, the most popular Latino-American dances in Enschede, especially among foreigners. De Kapsalon it is a bit too crowded for my taste, but the others are fine.
Everybody who wants to taste the famous Grolsch Beer is welcome daily in the cafés around Oude Markt. It is impossible to miss them; they surround the old Church in the center of town. There are a lot of restaurants in Enschede to satisfy your cravings: Chinese, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Australian, Indonesian and Dutch.
After all this socializing, maybe you want to relax in beautiful natural surroundings like Leedenboer Park or Volkspark. Omnipresent ducks and swans may menace you, but you can still walk peacefully on green paths. On sunny days, bike to a large park just outside Enschede called Rutbeek. Acres of land, a large lake with a small sandy child-friendly beach will relax you for sure.
If you prefer a more active way of unwinding, go to the iceskating rink, play golf at Sybrook or choose a fitness center. If you likewater, try Aquadrome with a Turkish pool, jacuzzi, torrent waves, water tunnel, sauna and a 12 m long, 2 m deep swimming pool.
Enschede can be great fun as a university town. There may be aspects that compare unfavorably to your hometown, but if you decide to spend several years here, make the most of them, and keep an eye on Enschede!
