International students from 75 countries begin studies in Leiden
All the continents are represented, as around 1,300 students from 75 different countries start Orientation Week Leiden. What’s on the programme?
A crowd gathers at Lammermarkt on Monday 24 August. This is where the mentors find their groups and this introduction week for international students officially begins. For these students, going to university can be extra scary, as they say goodbye to their family and friends to start a new life in the Netherlands. But thanks to Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), they soon get to know their peers, the city and their degree programmes.
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This week wouldn’t be possible without the student organisers and mentors. -
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Reach out and connect
‘Any students here from Asia? Put your hands up!’ says Carlijn Bergwerff, Vice-Dean of Education at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, to the crowd on the square. She lists the other continents, and they too are represented, if the cheers from the crowd are to be believed. ‘We’re pleased you’ve chosen Leiden’, she continues. ‘You bring different perspectives to our teaching and international collaboration.’ She praises the courage it has taken to leave their own countries for this new adventure. ‘Reach out and to each other and connect.’
From Kos to Leiden
Georgia from the island of Kos is one of the participants. She has gathered with her group at the windmill. Why Leiden? ‘I really liked the look of the clinical psychology programme. I’d never been to the Netherlands before, but I really like Leiden. It’s a civilised city. I don’t know anyone yet, so I’m glad to take part in this week.’
Boats and bikes
After the organisers and the municipality have welcomed the new students, the groups head into town. A bike is an essential part of student life, so there’s always a bike sale at Pieterskerkplein on the first day. Other traditional fixtures are the barbecue on Tuesday, the info market at Hooglandse Kerkgracht on Wednesday and FestivOWL on Thursday. The students can also see Leiden from the water and take workshops on topics ranging from climbing to painting. And to give them some downtime, the programme also includes a few hours relaxing at the Hortus.