For many students, starting at university also means leaving home for the first time. From finding accommodation to figuring out everyday responsibilities, the first months can be a challenge. But what is it really like to move out, and what should new students prepare for?
First episode
In the first episode of the new U-Today podcast, Kyra is joined by Tjerk Zweers, an active student who has lived on campus for several years, and Singh Sehaj, who recently moved to the Netherlands from India to study psychology at the UT.
Sehaj talks about moving abroad, finding accommodation and adjusting to Dutch student life. 'Dutch people are a lot more individualistic', he says. 'I am used to greeting all my classmates and seeing them a lot. Here that's different'.
Tjerk shares his experiences with living independently, from managing money and household chores to making the most of campus life. Last summer, he also organized a barbecue for students who stayed on campus during the summer holidays for the second year in a row. 'Different study associations interact with each other; I think that's really nice.'
The two students also discuss making friends after moving out, the best and worst parts of living away from home and the things they wish they had known beforehand.
U-Today Talks
U-Today Talks is a new podcast about student life. In each episode, host Kyra talks to students about their experiences, stories and advice on topics that matter in campus life.
The next episode will be all about cultural differences between students. Do students really experience culture shocks, and how can you be respectful to one another when cultures differ? We are looking for students who’d like to tell us about their experiences Interested in sharing your story? Send a mail to [email protected]
