Photo Guy Ackermans In June 2025, the Netherlands hit a blistering 36°C and I realized something chilling (ironically): Dutch summers aren’t cute anymore — they’re too hot to handle.
I used to romanticize the Dutch summer. A gentle 22 degrees, bikes weaving through sun-dappled streets and terraces buzzing with people with beer in hand. But this year? My sunscreen couldn’t keep up. Neither could my concentration.
As a student, summer once meant long evenings in the park and guilt-free study breaks. This year, it’s meant sunburn after 10 minutes outside, melting on a desk chair and turning study sessions into slow-cooked endurance tests.
And here’s the kicker — I grew up in India, where summers regularly hit 45°C. But this Dutch heat? It’s different. It sticks to your skin, refuses to leave and makes every small room feel like a pressure cooker. Dutch buildings, designed to trap warmth like it’s a national treasure, don’t help either.
Dutch buildings, designed to trap warmth like it’s a national treasure, don’t help either
Most Dutch homes aren’t built for heat — they’re like saunas with windows. No ceiling fans, no cross-breeze, just thick, sticky air. After a few sleepless nights and sweaty afternoons trying to study, I gave in and bought a standing fan. It’s loud, clunky, but right now, it’s the hero of my summer survival kit.
I was psychologically unprepared for this weather. Climate change has turned what used to be a postcard-perfect summer into a climate stress test. One moment it’s pouring rain like we’re in monsoon season, and the next, the sun is back with a vengeance, turning the soaked streets into steaming ovens. The unpredictability is just as exhausting as the heat itself.
For now, I’ll keep my reusable bottle full, hunt for air-conditioned study spots and daydream about summers that don’t feel like Delhi in May. Until then — pass the aloe vera, crank up the fan, and if climate change was a dish, I’d say it’s getting extra spicy.
Arohi Natu, is a first year Master’s student Food Technology from India. She is a creative person who likes to try new things and also loves cooking, singing, painting and exploring new places.
