Starting your life
in Groningen
Internationals, let's discuss the first steps & tips on starting your life in Groningen in our new IG podcast! Joining our Host Anastasija Zihareva this episode are Elli Winetsdorfer & Emilio Muñoz.
ESN
(06:40 - 09:19)
Groningen has the largest ESN section in the world! Throughout the year, over 150 events are organised by ESN making sure that international student's find their place away from home. Do you want to meet new people who are internationally oriented? Then look into their events!
Elli: "Our mission is to show society the positive impact that international students have but also to represent international students and to help them intergrating."
Housing
(12:00 - 15:23)
It's possible to find housing, but be cautious, prepare and know that it can take quite some time and energy. Do not underestimate it! A webpage that can help you with practicalities to house searching is At Home in Groningen. Furthermore, Reddit-pages and our very own page about different housing agencies etc. are your biggest friends.
Emillio: "Don't take accomodation lightly, if you come to Groningen and you need a place to stay, don't think that you are easily going to find one."
First Steps
(15:23 -16:30)
The first steps you need to take before or once you’ve moved to Groningen are also very well described on our informative pages.
Financial help
DUO is the place to be when it comes to loans and other student financial matters. You can get financial help from the Dutch government when you study in the Netherlands!
Transportation
Elli: "Get a bike, very important, get-a-bike!"
Bikes are a very important form of transport in the Netherlands, as is in Groningen! You can get lessons on how to bike hosted by the
International Welcome Center North.
Social Life
(16:30 - 23:33)
Emilio: "You are not just here to get a degree, your here to make friends for life, to make an amazing experience out of it. and i think that groningen really offers all of it so just really do take it!"
All international oriented events that are happening in Groningen are shown on the Here and Now website. It's an online agenda with all kinds of events that keeps on growing!
However, don't lose yourself in all the fun. Prioritise and choose! And if you ever find yourself in a hard position, don't hesitate to talk about it, like our guest do.
Elli: "Coming to Groningen, and out of no where you have so many opportunities and things you can do that for me it was quite overwhelming in the beginning."
Culture Shock
(23:33 - 31:20)
Feeling a little odd or different to others is quite a normal feeling when moving to another country or even part of the world! You are not alone in this and it can even be explained theoretically. Take Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory or Hall's Cultural Context Theory, they explain a lot about why Dutch for example are as they are.
Student Job
(35:24 - 41:17)
Depending on how much you want or need to study you can always get a job alongside your studies! There are many places where you can find such jobs; Make it in the North is a platform where jobs for internationals are compiled and presented to make it easier for you! The University of Groningen, the municipality of Groningen or different shops and cafe's in Groningen offer jobs too. And don’t forget, tips on this topic can also be found on the International Groningen website.
Elli: “as an international it is of course sometimes a little bit harder than for dutch students, just because of the language barrier. But what I've also noticed is that lots of cafe’s and restaurants don’t mind if you don't speak dutch so you can always check that out, they are always looking for students.”
Cost of living
(41:17 - 45:20)
Our Personal guest experience shows us that to study and live in Groningen you need to have around a 1000 euro's a month. It's good to keep this in mind so as not to get into financial trouble. Rent and traveling take up a lot of the costs. To save some money on traveling, a subscription on the local public transport is wise. Putchase an OV travelingcard and look for a discounted traveling subscription to travel more freely.
Made possible by Akkoord van Groningen