Illustration Valerie Geelen You are faced with a lot during your first year: studying, making friends, finding your place. Resource asked four or last year’s AID participants to look back upon their first year and provide tips for new students.
‘I experience great academic freedom’
Nikshep Trinetra Bangalore Suresh, master’s student in Environmental Sciences from India
‘My study time in Wageningen so far has been great. Academically, I experienced a lot of freedom, and the courses have really made me think critically. Because we have an international classroom with students from all over the world, we are confronted with numerous views and perspectives. This has opened my eyes to how people with different backgrounds come up with different solutions to problems and challenges.
‘Besides studying, many things are happening in Wageningen. I like to learn the language wherever I travel, so I have been learning Dutch on the side. This helps me feel more included and allows me to join conversations. Besides that, I have been a part of the international student organisation ISOW. It is nice to meet people from outside your study programme and organise activities with and for them. As I love cooking, I was often involved in cooking for those events. I also signed up for Bachata dance lessons at Lafrique. I can recommend it to everybody!’
When you have found your place in Wageningen, it is also nice to explore the city’s outskirts
‘When you have found your place in Wageningen, it is also nice to explore the city’s outskirts. The forests of the Veluwe basically start at the edge of Wageningen and Bennekom. It’s definitely worth visiting if you enjoy nature. And if you like to learn about growing fruits and vegetables, you can volunteer at De Ommuurde Tuin.’
‘Making friends with fellow students is a bit difficult’
Naurah Nadzifah, masterstudent Sustainable Business & Innovation uit Indonesië
‘I think my first year in Wageningen went pretty well. When it comes to my study programme, some things really were beyond my expectations. We had a chance to speak with global managers of multinational companies about the challenges of applying sustainability in real-world companies, for example.
‘Before coming to the Netherlands, I was a bit scared because I was overexposed to bad news about discrimination against Asian people and Muslims in the Western world. However, so far, these stories don’t match my own experience. The attitude here is a bit like “you do you, I don’t mind”. Making friends with other students is a bit difficult for me, especially with people who are more individualistic compared to the collective culture in which I grew up. These differences also affect how you build friendships and your expectations of a friendship. However, during the AID, I met a girl from Germany with whom I have become close friends.’
Embrace the opportunities you have as a student
‘If I can give one advice to new students coming to Wageningen, it is to embrace the opportunities you have as a student. Use the AID to get to know organisations and associations. Make friends, enjoy life and enrich yourself outside the study programme.’
‘I always seize every opportunity that presents itself’
Jennifer de Jong, master’s student in Food Safety from the Netherlands
‘I had a fantastic year. I learned a lot of new things during my master’s, which enabled me to specialise in food safety. During my bachelor’s at the Haagse Hogeschool, I lived with my parents, but here in Wageningen, I live in a student house with two fellow students. I really like it. We live close to the bar called Onder de Linden, and their outdoor terrace has become one of my favourite spots in Wageningen. They are also quite affordable.
‘The AID helped me find my place in this strange, new world. I made friends, got to know the city and university, and caught a glimpse of all the fun there is to be had outside of your studies.
Get out of your bubble; there are amazing activities waiting for you!
‘I always seize every opportunity that presents itself because it always yields great new experiences. Thus, I became chair of my master’s programme committee. But things like an honours programme or study associations are also very worthwhile. Get out of your bubble; there are amazing activities waiting for you!’
‘I wouldn’t mind a bit more of a challenge’
Jop van Veenendaal, bachelor student in Business Sciences from the Netherlands
‘My first year was slightly stressful. Not my studies, but all manner of side issues. The study advisors, for example. Normally, you have one study advisor, but I am currently on my third. Each new advisor requires a meeting to introduce yourself. I have taken some extra courses, and doing so is a lot easier if you have a single point of contact, but with three advisors, it’s quite a hassle. Moreover, having protestors entering the classroom and yelling loudly during self-study week was quite disturbing. Not chill at all. Other than that, I obtained all my credits. The course material was a little too easy; I wouldn’t mind a bit more of a challenge.’
Go wild in your first year, the second is likely to be a lot busier
‘With regards to student life, I recommend becoming a member of a student association. That provides you with a great chance to get to know people and make friends. I am a member of Ceres. The association is a place for partying and developing yourself in other ways. I have also become a member of the local rugby club. All in all, it is quite a lot, but, to be honest, I like it that way. It keeps one busy. My tip? Go wild in your first year, the second is likely to be a lot busier.’
