Wisang

Bucket lists are fuuun – for a couple of years now, I’ve written bucket lists of things I wanted to do during the summer… and completed none of them. I mean, I do complete some of the things on the list, but by the time the next summer comes around, it really defeats the purpose of the last bucket list, if you get what I mean. This time, however, I’ll propose a ‘realistic’ bucket list – and maybe you guys can get some ideas if you’re looking for inspiration!

Developing yourself outside your studies is never a bad idea. It provides opportunities to grow, develop new skills, participate in interesting activities and meet exciting people. At the University of Twente, there are several ways to improve your skills, and if you’re looking for a challenge, then these opportunities might just be for you. With insights from Tymur and Jakub over at the UT Journeys podcast, we've compiled five unique opportunities to further develop yourself during your time as a student.

As a student you’ll have to do a lot of learning on your own, be it because you didn’t attend a lecture, or a professor explained the concept in a way you didn’t understand. In the Netherlands, a lot of emphasis is put on self-study, meaning you’re expected to learn individually, outside of lecture hours: lectures are meant to give you a place to start, but going in-depth is your own responsibility. Luckily, our forefathers on YouTube have paved us a path and given us priceless resources to study from, and I’ve compiled some of them just for you. So if you are an engineering student: keep on reading!

Because who needs sleep, right? We’ve all been guilty of it, and we all hate it: all-nighters generally suck. It’s during those twilight hours, midway through your study session, that you look back at your bed and think it’s the most comfortable it’s ever looked. I should say, however, that all-nighters aren’t usually good ideas – nothing beats a full 8 hours of sleep. If you don’t have any choice, well, congratulations: you’re in for a loooong night. But we’re here to help you through it!

Are you looking for a student room in the Netherlands? Then you will undoubtedly get acquainted with the somewhat peculiar phenomenon hospiteren – the process of applying for a room in a Dutch student house. If you’re new to this concept, it may be frustrating to go to several house viewings and interviews only to get the message afterwards that you didn’t make it. However, it’s possible to get that coveted room, also as an international student – and with these nine tips, you just might increase your chances!

Life has its ups and downs, and it’s no different at university. It’s turbulent at times: exams eat you up, and then suddenly you’re free - unless you failed an exam and need to study for the resit. We’ve all failed before, from exams to personal goals and more. And while it does hurt, you’re not alone: Let me help you out with some tips to get through failure.

Wondering what essentials you absolutely cannot forget to pack for your thrilling study abroad adventure at the University of Twente in the Netherlands? In this video, I’ll tell you what to pack!

Are you an international student looking to apply for a bachelor’s at the University of Twente? There’s a chance you might not be directly admissible. Luckily, the university has a solution: with the university’s foundation year programme, the Twente Pathway College, you might have a pathway into a top technical university in Europe! In this article, I’ll highlight what exactly a foundation year is, along with snippets of my experiences here and there.

To international students, the Dutch grading system in university can be a bit confusing. You won’t see people getting the coveted 10s very often, nor will you see people scraping the bottom of the barrel with 1s and 2s. Never fear, however: this guide’s here to help you make sense of the university’s grading system! So before your parents berate you for only getting an 8, make sure you read this guide first.

Deciding where to go to for university was a tough decision to make. The Netherlands was famous for its quality of education – but then again, so were many other countries. However, through reading and research, I found some things that made the Netherlands the country to go for, at least for me: from its campuses and student life to its close-knit communities of international and Dutch students. In this rather personal story, I’ll navigate you through how I decided to go to the Netherlands for my Bachelor’s.

Enschede, being a student city, has some very comfortable study spots. If you live on campus, then you’re lucky: most of the popular ones are minutes away. Those who live in the city must cycle a little more, but there are some absolute treasures around you. These study spots, carefully curated for both focus and inspiration, have served as my silent companions throughout countless nights of studying. Or… perhaps not during the night, as they do close at or before 10.

During your time as a student at the University of Twente, you may come across some funny-looking photos of very serious people posing in suits. That, dear reader, is probably a picture of the board of a study association – pretty much the faces of that study programme.

Preparing for university is… an experience. It’s stressful enough back home – going overseas is an entirely different beast. Getting the confirmation letter was one thing, but actually preparing for life in the Netherlands? I didn’t know where to start. Luckily, looking back, it wasn’t that bad of an ordeal, considering the huge step you’re taking in your life. There are mountains of resources you can use to help you navigate this new chapter in your journey, and now you’ll be able to add this guide to the top – I’ve been there, I’ve done that.

In the Netherlands, cycling is not just a mode of transport – for a lot of people, it’s a way of life! I know, I know, you’ve probably already read that same sentence a billion times in other guides, but the importance of owning a bicycle in the Netherlands can’t be stressed enough. They’re cheap, they’re efficient (one of the most efficient machines ever invented, in fact!) and they’re reliable.

Getting around in the Netherlands can be as easy as tapping a card on a reader – because, really, that’s all there is to it sometimes. This guide is here to help you easily navigate the Dutch terrain and make the most of your time in Enschede and the Netherlands.

As an international student, the prospect of being active on campus can be both exciting and challenging. Finding meaningful ways to fill your free time and connect with like-minded individuals can greatly enhance your university experience. For me, that meaningful thing turned out to be through active participation in my own country’s student association.

The Netherlands, renowned for its excellent education system and vibrant student life, is currently facing a housing crisis that affects both local and international students. Finding suitable accommodation has become a significant concern, but with careful planning and resourcefulness, students can successfully secure housing.

As my second year in the Netherlands is nearing, I’ve come to reflect on what I wish I’d known before coming here to make life in this wonderful country easier, and what I wish I’d realised sooner. There are a lot of stereotypes about the Dutch and Dutch culture in general, but I’ve found that some of them aren’t even true – they’re the exact opposite, from my own experiences.