Wisang

Going on exchange is one of those experiences everyone tells you will ‘change your life,’ but nobody tells you exactly how to make that happen. I sat down with a friend who recently returned from an exchange semester in Canada to get the real, unfiltered version – what actually helped, what she'd do differently, and what she wishes someone had told her before she left. Here's what she had to say, boiled down into six practical tips.

It’s the holidays. The rain is pouring across the country and you’re snuggled in bed, wrapped in the blankets that adorned your childhood and provided relief through countless nights. But something isn’t right – the blanket’s too small, the bed too soft. You see your old posters and realise you’ve kind of outgrown them. You gaze at your old toys and wonder if they’ll ever be played with again. You see your desk – neat, organised by your mum, probably – and realise it had never looked that way while you lived there. And all the while, the rain taps still on your windows, like multiple ticking clocks on their own agendas, steady in the onslaught of time.

Going home after studying abroad is always a strange feeling. Your suitcase is somehow both too full and not full enough, your family is already asking what Dutch life is like, and you suddenly realise that you probably should not show up empty-handed.

Enschede may not be the first Dutch city people mention when talking about food, if ever, but anyone who has lived here for a while knows that the city has quietly built up a surprisingly good restaurant scene. Enschede has something for nearly everyone: date nights, student dinners, family visits, celebrations, or the occasional ‘I deserve something better than my cooking tonight’ evening.

Picture this: you’re the average student at UT. You go to most of your lectures, you sometimes get your lunch at the Spar supermarket, and every once in a while you amble down to the Vrijhof for a much-needed study session. And then exam week comes upon you, and you’re suddenly left wondering where all these students came from.

It 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.

For Jedrzej, a 22-year-old Mechanical Engineering student from Poland, joining Electric Superbike Twente (EST) meant stepping out of the classroom and into something much closer to real engineering work. Instead of continuing directly into his third year, he chose to take a gap year and work full-time for the team. At EST, Jedrzej works as a chassis engineer, designing the bike’s bodywork and working with composites, surface modelling, and 3D printing.

What makes a good board game? Is it one that is simple and repetitive? Is it one that consistently entertains no matter what? Or is it one that is extremely complex with a 100-page rulebook for every possible scenario, and is only fun when others are willing to put in the time?

Biosensing Team Twente may be the newest student team at the University of Twente, but its ambitions are already firmly rooted in healthcare innovation. In simple terms, the team works on developing biosensors for medical applications: small, functionalised chips that can detect specific molecules in the body and translate that into a measurable signal. Fernando, student and internal manager at Biosensing Team Twente, tells us what it’s like to be part of this new student team.

Writing essays and reports is an inevitable part of university. Whether you’re studying philosophy, where it’s the norm, or business, where it’s expected, or even engineering, where it’s… a bit less than welcome, I’ll say – writing is a core skill that every student must possess. It’s also a very valuable skill to have, since a lot of formal communication and scientific discussion is done through writing and reports. And here I am, a certified writer™ giving you tips on how to get your writing up a notch.

If you’re choosing the Netherlands as your study destination, you will likely already have a certain image in your head: cycling to your lectures past canals, historic windmills and tulip fields. Okay, perhaps you don’t fall for those clichés that easily, but do you really know what you can expect as a student in the Netherlands? To ensure you’re prepared, let me debunk some of the biggest myths about studying in this small country in Western Europe.

I don’t really drink coffee. I’ll have it if I’m in a good cafe, but most of the time, I prefer fruity drinks. And if I’m going to get coffee, I don’t really bother with the fancier stuff – just a normal flat white or a cappuccino will do. However, contrary to popular belief, Enschede has some REALLY good coffee spots; spots that have made me look at the menu and think, ‘I don’t mind trying the blueberry coffee.’ That’s why, for this article, I’ve taken on the noble task of trying out and rating some of the best coffee spots in Enschede.

Food is an extraordinary thing. My family is big on it, you see, from eating heaps of it to cooking more of it. I learned early on to appreciate any cuisine – it is one of the strongest expressions of culture that exists so readily. Sitting down at a table, passing salt, and breaking bread – here, a melting pot of friendship and sustenance can be found.

Nino is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student and part of the propulsion team at RISE, the space exploration student team, where he works on one of the most technically demanding parts of the student-built rocket: the engine.

Are you an international student looking to apply for a bachelor’s at the University of Twente? There’s a chance you might not be directly admissible. Luckily, the university has a solution: with the university’s foundation year programme, the Twente Pathway College, you might have a pathway into a top technical university in Europe! In this article, I’ll highlight what exactly a foundation year is, along with snippets of my experiences here and there.

Daniel is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student and a full-time member of DroneTeam Twente. In his role, he is one of the people making sure DroneTeam Twente’s designs actually turn into physical parts. As Chief of Manufacturing, he is the team’s go-to person for anything involving 3D-printing, including maintenance, optimisation, and guidance.

As 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.

Ludwig is in his final year of the Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, and for his elective period, he chose to join RoboTeam Twente. Throughout this past academic year, Ludwig has helped the team with major decisions, developments, and milestones: “Robotics are the future.”

One of the University of Twente’s prides and joys are its student teams: as a university prominent for its role in engineering within the Netherlands, UT’s student teams often appear in the news for their achievements. Students from across the university come together to design, build, and take part in leading competitions all over the world, and this year, I happen to be one of them. But what is being in a student team like? And is joining one worth it? In this article, I’ll tell you all you need to know.

The festive season is coming up. Fairy lights, hot chocolate, Mariah Carey emerging from her igloo – and the pressure of finding gifts for the people you love. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably a student, and if you’re a student, your wallet is probably whispering sweet nothings such as “Are you sure?” and “Please no, I’m starving.”

Life as a student rarely feels minimalistic, even if your bank account does. Between lectures, parties, late-night study sessions, half-finished assignments, and the vague hope of eating something besides frozen pizza, the smallest upgrades can feel transformative. And you’re lucky: not every upgrade needs to leave your wallet pleading for mercy.

Studying costs money, especially abroad. There is no way around that – and if you’re jumping into higher education, it’s essential to plan your budget carefully. If you’re eyeing the Netherlands as a potential study destination, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost you. That’s why in this article, I’ll be talking you through the most important expenses of studying abroad in the Netherlands.

As exam week draws nearer and nearer, students left and right are scrambling for the be-all, end-all technique for studying. Surely, there must be a way to study as effectively as possible?

I have stickers all over my laptop. Some people like doing this, some don’t. To me, my laptop stickers represent communities I belong to, bands I listen to, passions I pursue, and places I’ve been. In a way, it’s kind of like a time capsule – and there are some stickers on there that I look at more than others, reminders of past times and past people. If you’re planning on decorating your laptop cover, or if you simply want to see what your stickers say about you, then read on.

The day has come. Whether it’s because your contract has ended, you found a new place, you’re moving out of your parents’ house for the very first time or you just need to get out of your current housing situation – moving day is upon you, and now you’re left overwhelmed. How exactly do you move your entire life into another, single room? Let me help you out with some tips!

In university, when you’re trying to keep up with the professor’s flurry of slides and the mounds of information that are being dumped on you, taking notes on paper can make you slow – not to mention the number of notebooks you’ll have to burn through to finish your degree, and the added hassle of having to sort out your notebooks and find which pages you need. There is an alternative, though – ever thought about digital notes? Let’s put them to the test.

Many students find it difficult to stay fit and active between all the lectures, tutorials, and exams. However, exercising even for a short period of time will benefit your body, energise you and clear your mind. Not to mention that you’ll probably also feel better about your own health after exercising. Luckily, the university campus is perfect for… well, staying active and staying fit, so read on for some ideas on how to move around while hustling through your classes!

Everybody has a laptop these days. You kind of need one to be a student, after all. To me, my laptop is basically an extension of myself – I study with it, do my homework on it, watch videos and play video games with it. I don’t know what I’d do if my laptop just up and died on me – that’s how important it is. Of course, with so many people owning laptops, it’s also natural that there are so many kinds of laptops as well. This then begs the question: what does your laptop say about you?

When I started getting ready for college, I looked at a bunch of websites and guides to figure out what I needed to bring abroad, and also listened to advice from my older family members. Now, a few years down the line, I’m realising that most of what my family said was a bit outdated, as they had only gone to university decades before the idea of me had ever existed. I was told to bring things that would never see the light of day from my suitcase once I got to my destination. In this article, I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen to you. No nonsense about bringing a mechanical alarm clock just because your uncles didn’t believe in modern phone alarms.

I’d be lying to you if I said that I didn’t believe some of these misconceptions about the Netherlands when I first came here. Especially in Asia, where you believe everything an older person tells you, there were some truly head-scratching misconceptions about the Netherlands I was told. And now I’m here to tell you that some things are simply not true.

Group projects are many things, but I think we can all agree that they are a bit of a logistical hassle. If you’re only researching and developing something theoretical, then all you really need is to find a nice, quiet room and somehow convince all of your groupmates to show up on time. If you’re working on something practical, like building a one-stage mechanism using a controller and several leaf springs, like in Mechanical Engineering (cough, cough), you might want to find a place that’s already in somewhere noisy, has a sturdy table, and is, of course, large enough. In this article, I present to you my favourite spots.

Perhaps you’ve heard this common saying: “University is the best time of your life!” I’m sure everyone’s university experience is different, but personally, university has been kind to me. Not to say that I haven’t had my less-than-finest moments in university – there were times where I was telling myself, “Damn. I wish someone would’ve told me this.” And now here I am, telling you young students some harsh truths about university. Strap in for a ride.

As a student, you are most likely on a budget – also when it comes to your holiday. And although there’s cheap stuff in some places, Europe isn’t necessarily known for being cheap. However, as a student in the Netherlands, anywhere outside of Europe will probably be more expensive than anything inside (by virtue of flight tickets alone). That’s why I’ve laid out a couple of options that might suit you, backpackers and travellers, looking to make the most out of your summer!

The Dutch healthcare system is famous for being top-notch. It’s also infamous for having a bit of a reputation with how enthusiastically general practitioners (GPs) give out Paracetamol, which to me is both hilarious and concerning for all parties involved. Regardless, the Netherlands has an excellent standard for healthcare, and it often shows up at the top of the rankings for best healthcare systems in the world. However, what else is there to know as an international student? In this article, I’ll tell you all about the Dutch healthcare system, so you are prepared for your stay in the Netherlands.

They say that your network is your net worth, though I have no idea what this means. What I do know, though, is that your network needs to be maintained, and in university, when you’re around a thousand other students and staff, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who. Meeting people is the easy part. The hard part is ensuring they remember you (and you remember them!) and that your relationships with people don’t fade away.

Life isn’t the easiest when you’re a student. You’re just starting out with life, after all, and most of the time you have no idea what you’re doing. Luckily, we’ve written a couple of articles on how you can best manage life’s essentials, such as cooking, studying, and travelling. However, have you ever come out of the grocery store, looked at your receipt, and thought, ‘Damn, why is this so expensive?’ Hopefully, these grocery tips will help you stick to your budget!

Imagine this: you’ve just had a long day at university, filled with classes from morning till afternoon, plus any extracurriculars you might have – you get home, you open the door, and you find yourself greeted… with this.

In each student house you visit, there’s a balance – housemates come and go, with some leaving more of a trace behind than others. You can never be too sure of what each new person contributes: from the smells in the kitchen to the stains in the bathroom, each house has its own story, with a plethora of people around to tell it.

Everyone’s been there: you’re in class, you’re watching the professor ramble on about something that you know is super interesting, but cannot for the life of you understand it. Inside of you, the desire to know more burns hotter and brighter, and you’re about to raise your hand to ask a question – and then you falter.

Writing your thesis can feel extremely overwhelming. I wouldn’t know, since I haven’t written mine yet, but friends tell me that it’s like juggling a million tasks all at once – reading papers, managing sources, formatting references, and of course, the actual writing. Lucky for you soon-to-be-graduates, there are plenty of tools out there that can make the writing and researching process smoother, helping you level up your work.

It is quite literally impossible not to care about the weather here in the Netherlands. Should you go out, should you stay at home, should you go for groceries, should you order in – a lot of your daily activities depend on what the Earth is looking to throw your way, partly because life here is so… outdoors-y. It’s therefore no surprise that there exist many proverbs about the weather, universal across all languages. However, the Dutch saying April doet wat hij wil (April does what it wants) is unique to the Netherlands, mainly since April is a bit… spontaneous about how it feels.

Now, I’ll admit that this article has caught me at a bad time – I’ve found myself staying up later and later recently, and have started dreading mornings. However, it’s good to remind myself that I come from Indonesia, where most people wake up at 5 A.M, so I’m no stranger to early mornings. For most of my life, I’ve been a morning person, and I firmly believe that being a morning person is much better than being a night owl, especially if you’re a student or have a full-time job. You don’t have to love mornings, but you’ve got to accept that the day only starts once.

Who doesn’t like movies? As a university student, much of your downtime will (probably) be spent searching, binging, and reading about movies and shows. Occasionally, you'll discover something truly relatable—something that seems to capture the very essence of your studies. Other times, you'll just roll your eyes at the wildly inaccurate stereotypes perpetuated about your future career (looking at you, Grey’s Anatomy).

Everybody’s different when it comes to studying. Each person has their own routines, habits, and preferences when they put pen to paper. Having your own study playlist can be a good way to focus, lift your spirits, and motivate you while you’re solving your academic problems. Of course, not everybody likes to listen to music while they’re studying, but if you do, then maybe take a look at some of our recommendations and add them to your playlist.

While non-fiction very obviously has its place in my library, it has always been fiction that overflows my shelves with hardcopy after hardcopy. Fiction, to me, is like a love letter to my childhood self: someone so fascinated with worlds outside of his own that he couldn’t help but keep reading.

I’ve recently come across a brutal realisation: I’ve hit that point in my reading career where I buy books for the sake of buying books (and also to decorate my shelf), and not to actually… you know, read them. I kept telling myself that, eventually, I’d get around to reading them, but alas – that time has not yet come, since I’m stuck on other books and haven’t found the time to binge through anything else. Therefore, this article, on what you guys recommended for non-fiction reading, is just as much for me as it is for you.

As a university student, you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing to keep you from boredom: a new game, a new show, or even a new place to study. However, if you want to look even deeper, it might be a good idea to consider new hobbies – ones that tie in to what you’re studying, and could be used to build up the skills that university teaches you.

Unfortunately, being stressed sometimes is an inevitable part of university. Balancing a bunch of classes, a part-time job, extracurricular activities, groceries, cooking, and having a social life can be hard. It’s sometimes even harder to forego all of those things in favour of studying because your stress is eating away at you too much. Eventually, you may crash and fall, you burnout, because you cannot take it anymore. In this article, I’ll give my tips on how to avoid ending up in a situation like that.

I would never discourage you from coming to campus and studying in one of the many, comfortable study spots (wink, wink). However, I can’t deny the importance of having a good, working home office. If you think having a desk is enough, then you’re missing out on a world of opportunities (though a good desk is a huge part of a home office). Read on for my personal tips on how to upgrade your little corner for work: one that makes you look forward to studying.

Being a student can be hard. For many, it’s the first time balancing responsibilities like studying, cooking, commuting, and generally trying not to drown in the rush of the world around you. It’s no wonder you sometimes may feel like a huge weight is on your shoulders. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. First, pat yourself on the back and tell yourself that you’re doing a good job. Then read on: here are the best ways to destress and keep yourself sane during your student years.

Are you like me and do you become a mummified zombie during exam week because you literally have no time to cook, clean or do anything except live and breathe through your exams? Do you experience existential crises right before and after your exams that make you forget to cook and eat? Then this article is for you!

When you bring out your trusty old steed for a ride around the campus or the city, do you ever just stop and wonder, why are there so many different types of bikes? Or conversely, why do so many people use the same type of bike?

Feeling lonely during the winter holidays is more common than we often admit, hidden behind the season’s festive facade.

As I’m writing this now, the chill has set in, the days have become shorter, and the pull of winter break has become irresistible. Think about it: you’re a university student, and your weekdays are dedicated to school and studying, basically a full-time job already. Would you not also grasp at the lure of the winter break, with endless possibilities and destinations? Although I am by no means a travel blogger, here are some fun, wintery destinations that might interest you students looking for an affordable getaway.

Thrift shopping has been on the rise in recent years, and for good reason: it’s cheap, it’s sustainable, and it’s very fashionable. It’s especially popular among students, who love everything that’s cheap and readily available. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my go-to thrift shops in Enschede, for the students who love clothes but don’t know yet where to get them secondhand!

University is definitely an experience. You can pull all-nighters whenever you want, party your heart away, or even just… exist. Among the highlights of campus life are the professors who will shape (or break) your academic journey. Whether you’re cramming for finals or simply debating a topic, these lecturers are there every step of the way, in some form or another. Here’s a list of the types of lecturers you’re bound to encounter in university.

Lock your doors, board up your windows, and settle in, for winter is coming. While not the coldest in the northern hemisphere, Dutch winters are tough. It's not just the chill, but the long spells of single-digit temperatures, the rain and snow, and cold winds from the North Sea. And as the year ends, the lack of sunlight and vitamin D can take a toll. In this article, I’ll share tips for surviving the Dutch winter.

I don’t think anyone likes to cram for exams. It’s much nicer to spread your studying over the module and work gradually until exam week. However, cramming is also a part of being a student: everyone’s done it at least once, and if you’ve gotta do it, then you’ve gotta do it. Cramming effectively involves active recall, complete focus and, as most people say it these days: locking in. Read on for my personal tips on how to cram, straight from an expert.

Imagine: you’re a sjaars, bright and fresh and hopeful for your first time in university. November falls upon you, and you and your friends walk into the library, ready to study your hearts out… then you see all the older years, weathered and worn, yet durable, like leather. You see them working, some frustrated, others focused, but they’re still trying all the same. No one looks happy, and everyone is stressed about exams. And it is so, completely quiet. So you think to yourself: is this how exam weeks are? Well, sometimes. But you’ll get through, because in this article, I’m giving you my tips for how to best prepare for your first exam(s)!

Before I started university, I knew I wanted to do more than just my degree. I wanted to be active and make friends outside of class, because in my mind, I think I kind of needed that additional outlet next to my studies. I tried out a couple of things, from sports and hobby associations to cultural stuff, but none spoke to me more than the Honours programme, and the association behind it.

Group projects are either of two things: fun and relaxing, or stress and frustration. There might be an in-between, where it’s fun and you’re also stressing out at the same time (which is usually a good indicator for a well-made project), but those are few and far between. And, like with most group-related things, your experience will largely depend on your groupmates. You could have the best group in the world, who are willing to work and put in the hours… or you could have the exact opposite. Let’s delve into the different types of groupmates you’ll encounter in your time as a student!

There are many useful apps that will make your student time in the Netherlands a lot easier. If you’re an international student, it’s reassuring to have something just in reach (like your phone) to make your daily life easier to navigate. Whether you’re a foodie, love to travel, or want to save money, these apps have you covered!

When you’re in university, you’ll realise that it’s mostly up to you to sort out your responsibilities: you get to decide whether you want to study or have fun (ideally, you’d combine the two, of course). Being this independent about your decisions was a bit intimidating at first – what do you mean, I don’t have a curfew? That’s why it’s a good idea to have a study group. Studying doesn’t have to be solitary or lonely, and with the right study group, you’ll find that you’re actually looking forward to those gruelling study sessions. Read on for six tips on how to find your group of study buddies!

At university, you will spend quite some time in your student room. It’s a place to relax, do your university work, and hang out with your friends, so it’s a good idea to personalise it and make it ‘you’. Decorating it and making it cosy and comfortable is one of the best ways to combat homesickness and feel at home straight away in this new place, far away from your friends and family. In this article, I’ll give you some tips on how to get started!

After a fun and exciting Kick-In, you should have ‘partied out’ everything in your system, ready for the next academic year. Starting university is a major life transition, and adopting healthy habits early on can set the foundation for success. Whether it's meal prepping, budgeting, staying active, or managing screen time, these tips are designed to help new university students maintain their well-being, balance responsibilities, and thrive both academically and personally.

University is the perfect time to pick up a new skill. For me, it was cooking – now, I’m not gonna be getting any Michelin stars any soon, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. My favourite dishes are traditional dishes from back home in Indonesia, but I had no idea where to get ingredients – at first. If you miss the taste of home, and are unsure of where to get ingredients, then you’re in luck. Enschede has some pretty nice foreign goods stores where you can get most of everything you’re craving. Read on for a compilation of my favourite international stores and restaurants in Enschede.

Aaaah, to be a first-year student again, when things were new, strange, and exciting. I remember sitting in the Horst Tower for my first university lecture ever, both strangers and friends around me, and wondering what things would look like a year later. Heck, I was probably thinking about the next week, too – after an exciting Kick-In, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Luckily, I do now, and that’s why in this article, I’ll be giving you all the tips you need to casually slide into university life.

Even summer must end at some point. After a couple of weeks of carefree frolicking and bucket list-checking, it’s time to hang up the summer hat and replace it with a thinking cap. For some people, returning to the studying rhythm can seem daunting. However, don’t fret; I’ll help you get back into your old study habits in this article.

If you’re moving abroad, it only makes sense for you to want to integrate yourself into the country you’re moving to. To do this, the most important step is to learn the language – not necessarily master it, but just learn enough to get by. Learning Dutch allows you to communicate with the locals, learn about their culture, and make friends. Not learning Dutch only puts you at a disadvantage – besides, having an extra language in your portfolio is always a good idea.

As much as I don’t like to think about it, the more I do, I’m realising that the new academic year is basically right around the corner (sorry, everyone). Every summer vacation feels that way to me, eventually, but that’s beside the point. For the new students, the soon-to-be ‘sjaars’, the last week of summer is exciting: if you’ve signed up for the famous University of Twente Kick-In, you’re in for a helluva week. Read on to learn how to prepare for it.

If you’re me, and you’re going to stay in Enschede for a while during the summer, then it might be a good idea to plan some small day trips. Not to say Enschede has nothing to offer – our city is quite lovely and quaint, but sometimes you just want to get out for the sake of getting out. With the summer comes the perfect time to leave Enschede for a little while to experience some more of what the region has to offer!

Going to museums is usually never a boring experience. You get to look at cool things and read about their histories. However, for this list, I wanted to compile museums that are more than just your expensive paintings and lifelike statues. Everyone knows the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. How about something more… quirky? In no particular order, here’s my list of niche museums you can visit during the summer.

Going to university can be a scary thing. You’re thrown into a new environment, with new people to meet and places to explore. Making friends and forging new connections is part of the university experience, but it can be difficult to know where to start, especially if it’s your first time away from home. However, there’s good news: you’re not alone! There are so many options to step out of your comfort zone and start making friends, either at your study programme or somewhere else. In this article, I’ll show some examples of how you can build your social life at uni, and sprinkle in some bits on how I managed to call the University of Twente my home.

Are you a student at the University of Twente and considering going abroad for your minor? Wondering what to do during your third year and seeking inspiration from fellow students who've already taken the plunge? Look no further! In this article, two students share their experiences studying one semester abroad: Paula, a bachelor’s student in Industrial Design Engineering (IDE), who did a minor in Adelaide, Australia, and Darren who ventured to Sendai, Japan during his Master’s in Computer Science. (And maybe by reading their stories, you’ll want to do a semester abroad as well 😉).

Bucket lists are fuuun – for a couple of years now, I’ve written bucket lists of things I wanted to do during the summer… and completed none of them. I mean, I do complete some of the things on the list, but by the time the next summer comes around, it really defeats the purpose of the last bucket list, if you get what I mean. This time, however, I’ll propose a ‘realistic’ bucket list – and maybe you guys can get some ideas if you’re looking for inspiration!

Developing yourself outside your studies is never a bad idea. It provides opportunities to grow, develop new skills, participate in interesting activities and meet exciting people. At the University of Twente, there are several ways to improve your skills, and if you’re looking for a challenge, then these opportunities might just be for you. With insights from Tymur and Jakub over at the UT Journeys podcast, we've compiled five unique opportunities to further develop yourself during your time as a student.

As a student you’ll have to do a lot of learning on your own, be it because you didn’t attend a lecture, or a professor explained the concept in a way you didn’t understand. In the Netherlands, a lot of emphasis is put on self-study, meaning you’re expected to learn individually, outside of lecture hours: lectures are meant to give you a place to start, but going in-depth is your own responsibility. Luckily, our forefathers on YouTube have paved us a path and given us priceless resources to study from, and I’ve compiled some of them just for you. So if you are an engineering student: keep on reading!

Because who needs sleep, right? We’ve all been guilty of it, and we all hate it: all-nighters generally suck. It’s during those twilight hours, midway through your study session, that you look back at your bed and think it’s the most comfortable it’s ever looked. I should say, however, that all-nighters aren’t usually good ideas – nothing beats a full 8 hours of sleep. If you don’t have any choice, well, congratulations: you’re in for a loooong night. But we’re here to help you through it!

Are you looking for a student room in the Netherlands? Then you will undoubtedly get acquainted with the somewhat peculiar phenomenon hospiteren – the process of applying for a room in a Dutch student house. If you’re new to this concept, it may be frustrating to go to several house viewings and interviews only to get the message afterwards that you didn’t make it. However, it’s possible to get that coveted room, also as an international student – and with these nine tips, you just might increase your chances!

Life has its ups and downs, and it’s no different at university. It’s turbulent at times: exams eat you up, and then suddenly you’re free - unless you failed an exam and need to study for the resit. We’ve all failed before, from exams to personal goals and more. And while it does hurt, you’re not alone: Let me help you out with some tips to get through failure.

Wondering what essentials you absolutely cannot forget to pack for your thrilling study abroad adventure at the University of Twente in the Netherlands? In this video, I’ll tell you what to pack!

To international students, the Dutch grading system in university can be a bit confusing. You won’t see people getting the coveted 10s very often, nor will you see people scraping the bottom of the barrel with 1s and 2s. Never fear, however: this guide’s here to help you make sense of the university’s grading system! So before your parents berate you for only getting an 8, make sure you read this guide first.

Deciding where to go to for university was a tough decision to make. The Netherlands was famous for its quality of education – but then again, so were many other countries. However, through reading and research, I found some things that made the Netherlands the country to go for, at least for me: from its campuses and student life to its close-knit communities of international and Dutch students. In this rather personal story, I’ll navigate you through how I decided to go to the Netherlands for my Bachelor’s.

Enschede, being a student city, has some very comfortable study spots. If you live on campus, then you’re lucky: most of the popular ones are minutes away. Those who live in the city must cycle a little more, but there are some absolute treasures around you. These study spots, carefully curated for both focus and inspiration, have served as my silent companions throughout countless nights of studying. Or… perhaps not during the night, as they do close at or before 10.

During your time as a student at the University of Twente, you may come across some funny-looking photos of very serious people posing in suits. That, dear reader, is probably a picture of the board of a study association – pretty much the faces of that study programme.

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.

In the Netherlands, cycling is not just a mode of transport – for a lot of people, it’s a way of life! I know, I know, you’ve probably already read that same sentence a billion times in other guides, but the importance of owning a bicycle in the Netherlands can’t be stressed enough. They’re cheap, they’re efficient (one of the most efficient machines ever invented, in fact!) and they’re reliable.

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.

As an international student, the prospect of being active on campus can be both exciting and challenging. Finding meaningful ways to fill your free time and connect with like-minded individuals can greatly enhance your university experience. For me, that meaningful thing turned out to be through active participation in my own country’s student association.

The Netherlands is renowned for its excellent education system and vibrant student life. This means that a lot of students are trying to find housing every year, which is why finding suitable accommodation can be a challenge for both local and international students. However, with careful planning and resourcefulness, students can successfully secure housing. I'll tell you all about it!

As my second year in the Netherlands is nearing, I’ve come to reflect on what I wish I’d known before coming here to make life in this wonderful country easier, and what I wish I’d realised sooner. There are a lot of stereotypes about the Dutch and Dutch culture in general, but I’ve found that some of them aren’t even true – they’re the exact opposite, from my own experiences.