UTCuriousUSummer courses overviewDutch Language & Culture

Summer school: Dutch Language & Culture: A0-A1-

See you at a fully new summer school in 2024

NEW BEGINNING

We are excited to announce that our summer school is in the process of repositioning and rebranding. This change will require us to cancel CuriousU summer school 2023, but we are incredibly proud of our progress and look forward to offering a refreshed and improved program in the near future. We thank all our students and staff for their support and look forward to continuing to serve our community.

Welcome to the Netherlands!

The Netherlands is known as the land of cheese, windmills, wooden clogs and tulips. Yet, there is a lot more to discover once you get here! Are you curious about the Netherlands and the Dutch language, culture, and way of life? This course will help you to start understanding and connecting with Dutch people. You will also learn more about Dutch history and culture: why do the Dutch speak so many languages? How do they celebrate birthdays? Why do they need to make appointments for everything? And… why are carrots orange?

Course aims

This course aims to give you an introduction to the Dutch language and culture, providing you with basic knowledge to get around in the Netherlands. The course covers speaking, reading, listening and writing to get you to a CEF-level of A1-, as well as more cultural aspects. 

Course video

Course topics

Each day of the course, we will cover both language and culture. Topics include:

In addition to the above topics, you are encouraged to ask about topics you are personally interested in. After all, we want you to be able to use your Dutch language skills and cultural knowledge in daily life!

Learning outcomes

This course will provide participants with a basic knowledge of Dutch (CEFR-level of A1-). Following the CEFR guidelines, this means that you will be able to:

You will also have a basic understanding of Dutch culture, lifestyle and history.

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Dutch Language & Culture 2022

Day
Arrival day: check in
Time:10:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

The registration point will be in the biggest tent. Please register as soon as you arrive. If you arrive earlier or later please contact us via curious@utwente.nl 

Meet-up and pizza
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

Eat pizza and meet up with your fellow students!

Dutch birthday parties and your own topic
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

In the afternoon, we will talk about and replicate a Dutch birthday party, before we move on to your own suggested topic(s).

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Days, months and times
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

Today you will learn to talk about the days of the week and months of the year in Dutch. After that you will learn to count. You will use the numbers right away to tell the timE! Lastly, you will learn how to ask someone how they are doing and to say how you are doing yourself.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

We serve you a fantastic dinner!

Game Night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

During this evening activity you can join our lean simulation game, dungeons and dragons and many more!

Lunch: Artist for a day
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the chance to get to know the programmes of our university and speak with representatives from our admissions office in case you are interested in continuing your studies here! During this lunch activity, you can also get to know the different student teams of our university.

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

A trip to the supermarket, the Golden Age and your own topic
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will bring the morning’s lesson into practice by visiting the supermarket on campus and buying some items in Dutch. After that, you will learn about the Netherlands in the Golden Age and lastly we will move on to your own suggested topic(s).

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our inspirational speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Grocery shopping
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

During this session, you will learn to buy things in Dutch: you ask about the price, you say what (food) items you want and how many and you order a pizza!

More information
Dinner & Barbecue
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will serve an amazing BBQ dinner tonight!

Beach volleyball tournament & DJ
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

Enjoy a unique volleyball tournament together with your fellow CuriousU participants! Are you gonna be the winning team? Let's find out!

Lunch: C- your future
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You can do one of the following lab tours: Behavioral Management and Sciences LabWearable Robotics Lab, combined tour in AeroAcoustic WindTunnel & Rapid Prototyping LabNanoLab or the Experimental Centre for Technical Medicine. Enjoy our dance workshop too!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Breakfast
Time:08:15 - 09:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

Have a breakfast first.

CuriousU Participants Departure
Time:09:00 - 10:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

The last day: please check out (i.e. returning the keys) and saying goodbye to all your new friends. By returning your key you will get back your deposit for the log cabin or student dorm (online refund).

Hobbies and the Dutch royal family
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

This afternoon you will learn how to talk about your hobbies and about things you (dis)like. This is also the best time to tell us about topics you would like to talk about during the rest of the week!

We’ll also discuss the Dutch royal family: who they are and what they do.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

We will kick-off breakfast and CuriousU with the first inspirational speech!

Me and my family
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

During this first session, we will get to know each other and get started with Dutch. You will learn how to introduce yourself and others, how to greet people and say goodbye, how to spell and how to talk about your family and relatives.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Stand Up Comedy
Time:20:00 - 22:30
Day:Mon. 15-08
Lunch: Taste the Netherlands
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

The Dutch education system and your own topic
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

This afternoon we will discuss the Dutch education system: how you go from attending elementary school to attending university, but also how students and lecturers interact. Afterwards, we will have time to look into a topic you are interested in.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast. 

Public transport and asking for directions
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

On Thursday you will learn to ask about public transport: when your train is leaving, from what track, etc. You will also use a few apps that help you schedule your travel in the Netherlands and you will learn how to ask for and give directions.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

We go out for dinner at the city: Happy Italy

Summer sounds
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

Enjoy the night in the city listening to some musical entertainment at Grolsch Summer Sounds.

Lunch: Playland
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.This is one of the most popular lunch activities where together with your fellow participants you can enjoy some outdoor games in the main festival area! Join us!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Student life in Enschede
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Today, you will visit Dutch students in their house on campus. They will tell you what it is like to be a student here and give you advice on how to make the most out of your student life in Enschede.

Breakfast & Inspiration
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Meeting with friends
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

Today you will learn how to make an appointment, either with friends or with more formal institutions. We will also talk about sports and learn how to book a table at a restaurant.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Music night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Tonight we will have a great band night in our main tent! Next to that, a dj to play music and karaoke activity are planned for you!

Lunch: ExploreU
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself by doing some career and personality tests ! Do not miss the chance to try the VR Parachuting experience!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Visit to Rijksmuseum Twenthe
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

This afternoon we will visit the Rijksmuseum Twenthe! You will get a special tour so that you can enjoy the museum while also learning some Dutch.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our inspirational speaker over breakfast. 

Dutch art and your own topic
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

In preparation for the afternoon, we will talk about Dutch art: we will talk about famous Dutch painters as well as museums that are worth visiting. We will also cover some key words to prepare for the afternoon activity before moving on to your own suggested topic(s).

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Escape Rooms
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

We'll watch a cool movie together!

Lunch: Dutch Olympic Games
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.


During this lunch you can join a sand castle competition and a graffiti workshop!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Project presentations and games
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

In the afternoon we will have a look at each other’s mini-projects before playing some traditional Dutch games as well as language games.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast.

Wrapping up
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

On this last day you will review what you have learnt and bring everything together working on a very small project. We will also discuss one final topic suggested by you.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

CuriousU Closing Ceremony
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This night we'll close off CuriousU 2022 with everyone and you'll receive your certificate.

Lunch: Cherishing Moments
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. Here is the chance to lock all the memories you made the last days into pictures! During that lunch break you also have the chance to break some pinatas!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Free day & Movie night
Time:08:15 - 20:00
Day:Sat. 20-08

Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday!

Course details

Methods: Interactive lectures, group and individual assignments
Target group: Anyone interested in learning more about the Dutch language and/or culture is welcome to participate. Participants are not expected to have any prior knowledge of Dutch. Knowledge of English with an approximate level of B1 is required.
Credits: 1.5 ECTS for successfully completing the summer school
Relevant UT programmes: The University of Twente Language Centre offers Dutch courses for UT students and employees as well as external students, from CEFR level A1 up to B2 (UT students) or C1 (UT employees and external students).