English
Once or twice a month we give students of the RuG the opportunity to share their opinion on education and studentlife. Within the context of ‘How good is it to hear your own conviction from someones else’s mouth’ (Goethe 1749-1832) we offer in Student aan het Woord students the chance to write their own column. This time Timon den Hertog is sharing his view on integration in Groningen. Timon is this years President of ESN Groningen.
Mission (Im)possible: Integration in Groningen
Internationalization is one of the main objectives of the University of Groningen. Just as the ACLO facilitates sports and the KEI facilitates the introduction week, the University of Groningen makes use of ESN to take care of the international students. This is necessary because the number of international students in Groningen is growing, with nowadays close to 6000 students coming from over 100 countries in the world attending the RUG and the Hanzehogeschool.
With more and more internationals coming to Groningen for a full degree, ESN Groningen will be focusing more and more on the integration of internationals into the Dutch society. This is easier said than done however, because right from the start international and Dutch students are pretty much forced into two different programs, with Dutch students attending the KEI Week and international students the ESN Introduction Week.
Although the KEI is doing great work by improving ways of internationalization of the KEI Week, they are not being helped by the fact that the Welcoming Day of international students doesn’t take place until the end of August. After this first separation between the two groups, the situation gets reinforced during the weekend in which the ESN Introduction Week starts. Because of the shift from exchange to degree students, there’s a growing demand to participate in the introduction period of their study associations or faculties. However, because most introduction periods start together with the ESN Introduction Week, international students are forced to choose between one of two programs.
For international students the ESN Introduction Week is the perfect way to get to know the city, Dutch customs, and make their first friends in a city they don’t really know yet. It is in my opinion an essential first step of the integration process, participating in the introduction period of their own program being a logical second.
It is because of this that we as ESN are very happy to see the University of Groningen recognizes this problem and is seriously considering of changing the way the introduction period is being offered currently, into one in which international students are given a better chance to make Dutch friends but at the same time enjoy the international life in Groningen as well. Bringing the welcoming day of the University of Groningen one week forward and at the same time the ESN Introduction Week would be a possible solution, in which most international students would be able to participate in the KEI Week, ESN Introduction Week, as well as the introduction periods of their studies.
Regarding efforts of the university to promote integration, it is also a very positive development that starting in February the RUG will offer 50 hours of free Dutch language lessons to international students who will be studying in Groningen for at least one year.
As for now, ESN Groningen will keep organizing their mentor and integration activities, in which Dutch students and international students go bowling, ice-skating and speed-dating together, as well as celebrate Sinterklaas. Furthermore, as of February 2013 ESN will start with the ESN Family Program, in which international students enjoy the hospitality of a Dutch family for a weekend, and cultural exchange and integration will take place in a very natural way.
Lastly, I would like to emphasize on the fact that integration is a two way stream. Where I have spoken to many international students very interested in meeting Dutch students, a lot of Dutch students still seem a bit reserved concerning hanging out with internationals, something we also experience at our activities. ESN is an organization focused on, but not exclusively open for international students. Through this column I would like to challenge you to visit one of our Beerpong Nights, Integration activities, and/or become an Introduction Week Guide, a mentor for international students or even an active member in one of our committees. It’s the perfect way to broaden your horizon, make new friends and have the time of your life: The world is so much bigger and more interesting than the Netherlands only, so don’t waste the opportunity to discover this!
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