Latest stories
student CampusLiving on campus or in the city centre of Enschede? These are the differences!As a brand-new student in Enschede, sooner or later, you’ll face the choice: will you live on campus or somewhere in the city? Spoiler: both places have their own charm and are fun in their own way. So, make sure you keep both options open when looking for a place! Still, there are definitely differences. Here’s what student life looks like on campus versus in the city centre.
student Student lifeCollege life: the best of times and the worst of timesIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Charles Dickens may not have been talking about university when he was writing this opening line, but he may as well have, considering what uni life is like. College, in the wise words of my friend Ludwig, is an experience like no other.
science TechnologyWhy borders are less fixed than you thinkOn the map, the Netherlands seems neatly outlined. A clear border separates us from Belgium and Germany. But how did that line come about? And is it really as fixed as we think?
student Internationals
Preparing for university: what can I expect?
Preparing for university is… an experience. It’s stressful enough back home – going overseas is an entirely different beast. Getting the confirmation letter was one thing, but actually preparing for life in the Netherlands? I didn’t know where to start. Luckily, looking back, it wasn’t that bad of an ordeal, considering the huge step you’re taking in your life. There are mountains of resources you can use to help you navigate this new chapter in your journey, and now you’ll be able to add this guide to the top – I’ve been there, I’ve done that.
Science Stories
science HealthFrom the UT-kitchen: Recipe for mini-heartsEvery recipe website seems convinced that you simply cannot make banana bread without first reliving someone’s traumatic childhood memory. But I’m not here to get sentimental about a fake sob story. I’m using a recipe format for a very simple reason: at the University of Twente, we “bake” mini-hearts in the lab. They squish, they jiggle, they contract. And the steps to make them read surprisingly like a cookbook minus the calories, plus some stem cells and all the fun.
science DigitalisationWhat ethical AI in research really meansAs AI tools become inseparable from student essays, scientific writing, and data analysis, universities across the globe are scrambling to decide what counts as “ethical use.” Some draw the line at letting tools such as ChatGPT write for you; others simply ask that you be transparent and honest.
science HealthCan recovery after cardiac arrest be predicted?After a cardiac arrest, patients and their families enter a period of deep uncertainty. Who will wake up? And what will life look like afterwards? UT PhD researcher Astrid Glimmerveen (TechMed Centre) studied brain signals that could help doctors better predict recovery and organise aftercare more effectively.
science ClimateNatural ice in decline? Bridges may hold the answerDuring the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, we hope that TeamNL will win a record number of speed‑skating medals. Go Joy, Jutta, Kjeld, Joep, et al.! Yet, ironically, our Dutch champions can rarely train on natural ice in the Netherlands. Quite simply because it is too warm. Professor Mark van der Meijde is determined to keep the tradition of natural ice skating alive in the Netherlands, and he may have found a potential solution. In a rather surprising place: on bridges and flyovers. These can become icy even when temperatures are still just above freezing. How is that possible? And can we use the same effect to get skaters onto the ice sooner?
science HealthIntimacy and AI: what can sex robots teach us about human relationships?A partner who always listens, never gets angry and does exactly what you want. What does that mean for how we think about intimacy? PhD researcher Maaike van der Horst investigates at the University of Twente how sex robots and digital AI partners are changing our ideas about relationships, desire and vulnerability.
Student Stories
student Study tips11 tips for writing your thesisWriting your thesis: some people look forward to it, others dread it. Either way, if you want to graduate, there is no way around it. Instead of working on a group project in each module, you suddenly find yourself working alone on a research project that lasts several months. No worries, though! These 11 tips will make writing your thesis a lot easier.
student InternationalsHow do you get around in the Netherlands?Getting around in the Netherlands can be as easy as tapping a card on a reader – because, really, that’s all there is to it sometimes. This guide is here to help you easily navigate the Dutch terrain and make the most of your time in Enschede and the Netherlands.
student CampusFood at uni: where to go for the tastiest meal?Almost every building at the University of Twente has a restaurant, each with its own charm and specialities. But how do you choose a nice spot, with so much to choose from? To save you the stress of deciding where to eat next lunch break, we've tested all the restaurants on campus for you!
student Career6 professions of the future: will you become a nanobot engineer?That the job market is changing drastically due to technological advances is no secret. The dystopian scenario that robots and artificial intelligence will take over all our jobs seems closer than ever. Fortunately, more and more new - perhaps still a little futuristic - professions are also emerging, which you may well end up practising as a graduate!
student Student tipsLearning to cook as a student? Here's how!When you've just started living on your own, a lot comes your way. You have to do your own laundry, clean and of course: cook your own meals! The challenge is to put a tasty and healthy meal on the table with limited time and budget. But don't worry: with these tips for beginners, you will be cooking the tastiest student dishes in no time!