International students find their way around Leiden: 'Getting a feel for the city'
This week, around 1,200 brand new students from 68 different countries are getting to know each other and their new student city. Orientation Week Leiden (OWL) got off to a good start on sunny Lammermarkt, which was packed with enthusiastic internationals.
Between the many groups of students, there were also a few surprised tourists wondering what was going on. Many students arrived early and were clearly looking forward to the week ahead. They were immediately introduced to one of Leiden's traditions – the Leids kwartiertje ('Leiden quarter of an hour') – before the opening ceremony began at 10.15.
Rector Magnificus Hester Bijl welcomed the students and invited them to get to know fellow students and settle into the city. However, she also wanted to warn students about the Dutch climate: ‘The weather's lovely today, but winter's coming!’ She encouraged students to make the most of every opportunity: 'Whether you join a student association, accept a board position or volunteer at future introduction weeks, every experience will enrich your personal and academic growth.'
The theme of this year's international introduction week is 'CarnivOWL'. In keeping with this theme, students have the chance to join a mask making workshop at a festival in Huigpark later this week. The programme also includes an organised city walk, a bike sale, a boat trip, a sports day and a pub crawl.
Zhibek, from Kyrgyzstan, is the chair of the OWL board. 'We've worked hard all year to organise a fantastic OWL week. I hope all participants have a great time. This week's programme is packed with events to help you settle into the university, the city and the community.' She's really looking forward to the FestivOWL. 'Fingers crossed that it can happen outdoors – that would be fantastic.' Last year, she participated in OWL week as a first-year student herself. 'I had a great time, and I wanted to help international students learn about Dutch culture this year.' Her most important message for new students? 'Your studies are important, but you should enjoy living in a new country as well. Don't forget about your social life.'
Sharath is Indian, grew up in Dubai and has previously studied in the UK. Over the coming year, he will be studying European and International Human Rights Law. He says, 'Leiden University is the best university for this subject.' He hasn't found his OWL group yet, but he's looking forward to getting to know them. And he's especially looking forward to the boat trip. ‘Who wouldn't enjoy that?’ he says with a smile. Sharath is staying in a hostel this week and will soon be able to move into his own room. ‘Finding accommodation was quite an experience,’ he adds.
Natalia is Mexican-Panamanian and has previously lived in Texas. She's studying Industrial Ecology. Leiden University is one of the few universities that offers this particular master's programme. She's really looking forward to the introduction week – especially the boat trip and the bouldering session. She's already met several nice fellow students. 'It's a beautiful city – it's so nice to walk around here,' she says. She was fortunate to be able to secure a room through DUWO: ‘Luckily, I got that organised on time.’
Sophie and Karolina are chatting on a bench and are clearly enjoying themselves. ‘I was looking for someone in my group who has brown hair, and she was looking for a blonde. We haven't found the right people yet, but we're sticking together for now,’ says Sophie with a laugh. She's from Brussels and Karolina is from Poland. Sophie is studying Art, Media & Society. 'It's a broad programme – I don't know what I want to do with my life yet. Karolina will be studying for a master's degree in Economic and Consumer Psychology. They're both really looking forward to the pub crawl and boat trip. Sophie: 'That will give us a feel for the city. There are loads of activities I want to join in with, and I also want to meet new people rather than hang out with the same group all the time.‘ Karolina: ’You get to meet people from all sorts of different bachelor's and master's programmes. The coming week is a great opportunity to meet people you wouldn't normally come across in your study programme.'