So today’s Welcoming Ceremony kicked off at 11:00 a.m. with a few speeches from the Mayor, the Head of the university and an English Professor. Each talked about life in Groningen as well as studying abroad, and gave a little background about the city. There was also music played before the event started and as the speeches came to an end. The music was by a bunch of talented violinists who perform under the name ‘BRAGI’. As the ceremony took place in a church (Martinikerk) there was also a few songs played on a very old and impressive looking organ.
There was one speech in particular that I found quite enjoyable, and that was the one from the English professor, whose name I can’t recall. He said that there are two ways to study at university, an easy way and a difficult way; the easy way would involve staying in our home countries, with family and friends that we know, a language that we know in a surrounding that is very natural and comfortable to us, he then added that we we’re all quite mad for choosing the difficult way of studying abroad, in a country and city we didn’t know, with people we don’t know, surrounding by a unique language and culture. I have to admit, it did make me stop and think. He then added that there may be many reasons for someone to choose to study abroad, but that he considered the main reason to be self-discovery – to explore ourselves and push our boundaries to see if we can adapt and cope to a whole new lifestyle. The professor seemed really friendly and approachable, and I think the majority of students in the church related to his speech, making it even more fascinating.
After the speeches in the church we walked over to the main university building, the Academia Building, where different student organizations had stalls set up outside, offering different opportunities to join or just receive information. There were also a few information stalls set up which gave information about the city and places to see, such as the museum, the library and the town hall.
Inside the main building there was a chance to sign up for ESN week, which is an introduction week for all international students. This week includes a tour of the city, a few pub crawls, parties and trips places such as the museum and the cinema – making it a great way to meet new people and learn more about the city.
At 13:00 I had a lecture on living and studying in Groningen, which also included the experiences of two students, one from Ethiopia and the other from Indonesia. The lecture also talked about different student help centres, such as the ‘Student Service Centre’ and the ‘International Student Office’. It also included a talk on where to find help if students were struggling, homesick or stressed.
Overall I think that the Welcoming Ceremony was a nice way to introduce international students to the city of Groningen, and also to the university. It detailed some useful information, but without seeming dry or excessive. The staff all seemed very friendly, and the students I managed to speak to also seemed polite, albeit a bit nervous and not knowing what to expect.
(I didn't take my camera due to having too many things to worry about, however there was a photographer at the ceremony, so I will try and update this post with pictures if any become available over the coming days!)
There was one speech in particular that I found quite enjoyable, and that was the one from the English professor, whose name I can’t recall. He said that there are two ways to study at university, an easy way and a difficult way; the easy way would involve staying in our home countries, with family and friends that we know, a language that we know in a surrounding that is very natural and comfortable to us, he then added that we we’re all quite mad for choosing the difficult way of studying abroad, in a country and city we didn’t know, with people we don’t know, surrounding by a unique language and culture. I have to admit, it did make me stop and think. He then added that there may be many reasons for someone to choose to study abroad, but that he considered the main reason to be self-discovery – to explore ourselves and push our boundaries to see if we can adapt and cope to a whole new lifestyle. The professor seemed really friendly and approachable, and I think the majority of students in the church related to his speech, making it even more fascinating.
After the speeches in the church we walked over to the main university building, the Academia Building, where different student organizations had stalls set up outside, offering different opportunities to join or just receive information. There were also a few information stalls set up which gave information about the city and places to see, such as the museum, the library and the town hall.
Inside the main building there was a chance to sign up for ESN week, which is an introduction week for all international students. This week includes a tour of the city, a few pub crawls, parties and trips places such as the museum and the cinema – making it a great way to meet new people and learn more about the city.
At 13:00 I had a lecture on living and studying in Groningen, which also included the experiences of two students, one from Ethiopia and the other from Indonesia. The lecture also talked about different student help centres, such as the ‘Student Service Centre’ and the ‘International Student Office’. It also included a talk on where to find help if students were struggling, homesick or stressed.
Overall I think that the Welcoming Ceremony was a nice way to introduce international students to the city of Groningen, and also to the university. It detailed some useful information, but without seeming dry or excessive. The staff all seemed very friendly, and the students I managed to speak to also seemed polite, albeit a bit nervous and not knowing what to expect.
(I didn't take my camera due to having too many things to worry about, however there was a photographer at the ceremony, so I will try and update this post with pictures if any become available over the coming days!)
