Dear (Future) Hanze Student: Here’s What Your First Week Really Feels Like

Moving to a different country is as exciting as it is scary. Why do we feel such a strange mix of emotions? Maybe because adventure always comes with a bit of uncertainty. How do I pronounce my classmate’s name? Why does my teacher ask me to call him Pieter instead of “Mister”?? And what’s the deal with all the bikes flying past like it’s the Tour de France? Where did I put my bike key!? Dear student, welcome to your first week at Hanze! It’s new, confusing, thrilling, and unforgettable. 

I am assuming you are reading this the night before introduction week because the excitement already kicked in after the Welcome Day. (The picture is from my Welcome Day back in 2022. So many new people, eh?) 

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What to expect?

All classes, of course, are in English. But they follow Dutch time. That means if your class starts at 9:00, it starts at 9:00. At 9:01, you’re already late, sorry. So, be punctual. But if you're running a little behind, just enter quietly and take a seat without disturbing the lecture. 

In your first class, the professor, let’s call him Pieter, will probably ask you to call him just that - Pieter. No "Mister," no "Sir," just his first name. If you come from a culture where the classroom has a strict hierarchy, that might feel strange at first. Take your time to adjust and don’t let that weird feeling overtake you. 

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At Hanze, your lecturers aren’t distant professors. They’re more like mentors. It’s expected of you to actively participate and share your thoughts. Even if you're not fully confident in your English, don’t worry- for most people, it’s not their first language either. I know that in many cultures, students are quieter and just listen in the classroom, but here, it's okay (and encouraged) to speak up. Give yourself time to get used to it. 

What to keep in mind

You're not the only one who just moved from who-knows-how-far-away. You're probably also not the only one still figuring out how to get to uni, or walking in the wrong direction on your way to the classroom. Everyone is learning how to use Brightspace, how to read the Digirooster (your schedule), and where and even what ZP11 or ZP07 are. 

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  • Zernikeplein 7 – ZP7  
  • ZP7 Van Olstborg – International Businn 
  • ZP11 Van Doorenveste – Communication, Media & IT + Engineeing programmes 
  • ZP17 – Willem Alexander Sports Centre – Sports Studies 
  • Wiebenga – Physiotherapy 
  • Minerva – Art programmes 
  • Prins Claus Conservatoire – Music programmes 

Be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You might be surprised by how nice your classmates, or even random people in the hallway, can be. 

Weather

Let’s be honest, the weather probably wasn’t the reason you moved here. Experiencing all four seasons in one day is completely normal in the Netherlands. The key to surviving it? Layers! Lots of them. Ones you can add or remove every few hours. 

As the Dutchies say - there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.  So, invest in a proper rainproof jacket. It might not be the most fashionable piece in your wardrobe, but trust me, it will be your best friend during the rainy months. By the way, there are special bike-friendly jackets that are not just waterproof but designed for cycling too. Totally worth it, I have one myself.  

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In September, when school starts, you might not need it right away. But believe me, you’ll be glad you have one very soon. 

How you might feel

It’s completely normal to feel a bit of everything- excitement, nerves, homesickness, curiosity, and joy, sometimes all at once. Personally, in the beginning, I felt like a tourist. It didn’t quite feel real until about two months in when reality finally hit me. But that’s different for everyone. If you’re feeling a weird mix of emotions, I can guarantee you’re not alone. 

Learning how to live on your own is a long process. Figuring out how to cook, clean, plan your shopping so you don’t run out of money or end up throwing away spoiled food, it takes time. And, if you’re only surviving on pesto pasta in the beginning, that’s totally okay. 

(But pro tip: look up a few easy one-pot meals or check out those cooking boxes from Albert Heijn. I love them! Super handy, tasty and no food waste.) 

Life outside of uni

After class, a whole city is waiting for you. Groningen is full of cozy cafés, cute restaurants, park picnic spots, and events organized by student associations. Especially in your first week, you’ll easily spot the biggest ones- like KEI Week and ESN all over the city. 

But don’t miss out on the smaller associations too! For example, Amicus Civitas, organizes amazing events that are definitely worth checking out. There are also many cultural-based associations if you ever feel like hearing your own language or connecting with people from similar backgrounds. That said, most of them are super international-friendly, so you can bring a friend along, no matter where they’re from. 

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Final thoughts: Embrace the chaos

Your first week might not be perfect and that’s okay. But when the years go by (like they did for me), you’ll mostly remember the good moments, how exciting and fun everything felt. 

You won’t remember the headache from listening to English for more than two Netflix episodes in a row. But you will remember that random KEI Week party where you needed a special card to buy drinks (I still keep mine as a souvenir). You’ll remember your first class. The one you’ll probably idealize forever because no other class will feel quite the same. 

You’ll think back to the parties with your flatmates, your first questionable spaghetti attempt (when you didn’t even know how to turn on the stove), or that visit to the Chinese garden with a friend. Maybe even the coffee machine you bought in your first week, the one you still use every morning. 

You probably won’t remember how scared you were. I honestly don’t. But I do remember that Portuguese girl who wasn’t afraid to ask questions in class. I thought she was so brave and confident. Turns out, that’s just normal here. 

In the end, it’s the fun, the firsts, and the little wins that stick with you. They become the memories that mark the start of your journey. 

 

Sla over