Student Stories

Ahhh, the summer holidays… No deadlines, group projects, exams or stress! Time to enjoy the sunny weather, relax and get out and about. But when everyone around you is off on holiday and you’re stuck on your own in your student room or at your parents’ house, boredom can start to creep in after a few weeks. Don’t worry, though! With these 10 fun solo activities, you won’t be bored this summer.

The sun is shining, you’re relaxing outside and there isn’t a single deadline in sight. That can only mean one thing: it’s time for a fresh summer drink! Whether you fancy a sweet cocktail, a fruity mocktail or a refreshing iced tea, these drinks are quick to make and absolutely delicious. Here are my favourites!

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.

Have you ever heard of the Dutch phrase ‘Terrasje pakken’? Good luck translating that into English without sounding ridiculous (“taking a small terrace”?). Yet, nothing captures Dutch culture quite like it: the moment the sun breaks through, everyone drops everything to grab a drink outside. So where should you actually head for the best (and most affordable) post-lecture bite or drink? Here’s our list of (student) favourites!

Did you know that the Netherlands has five inhabited islands in the North of the country? Ask a Dutchie about our “Waddeneilanden”, and they will probably immediately say: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, and Schiermonnikoog. As an international student, though, chances are you have never heard about the islands, let alone visited them. That’s too bad, because if you ask me, the Wadden Islands are one of the best destinations for a trip within the Netherlands. Whether you’re planning a break during the summer holidays, a weekend away with friends, or looking for an original destination for a committee trip, here’s all you need to know!

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.

Don’t we all love rollercoasters? Whether you actually enjoy going on rides or prefer to admire them from afar, at least most people agree that they’re a pretty cool feat of engineering. But how do you build one? And what’s the physics behind it? Exchange student Mauricio from Mexico came to Enschede to learn just that, during his minor in rollercoaster engineering.

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.

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!

As a Dutch girl who has lived in the Netherlands her entire life, I find our culture and habits nothing special. However, while studying at the University of Twente and meeting people from all over the world, I soon realised how Dutch culture sometimes differs from other cultures. From our daily routines to our deeply rooted traits, here’s a guide to navigating life in the Netherlands!