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| Showing his moves, Vietnamese student So van Pham (left) learns to break dance from teacher Christiaan Versteegh (right), a member of the dance club Break Even. (Photo: Gijs van Ouwerkerk) |
Established just over two years ago by Karin Paardenkooper, head of the International Offices, the Meet and Greet the Dutch events serve to answer questions about practical matters, offer assistance and help students discover opportunities to join in the campus life through one of its many student organizations.
In the spacious area of the atrium, the event served many purposes: to provide an opportunity for associations, clubs and social groups to discuss with international students what they can offer, procedures for registration and what students can do with their leisure time. The friendly International Office staff, clad in blue polo shirts, offered drinks, trays of appetizers, and traditional Dutch candies.
Inge van Haare, coordinator for the International Office, offered a brief introduction and invited the group of thirty-five international students to walk around and learn about various student associations and clubs from member representatives.
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International and Dutch students discuss possible ways to spend free time at the second annual Meet and Greet the Dutch. |
Some of the associations present were the Turkish Student Association, Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Local Chamber of Associations (Fact), Break Even, and AEGEE-Enschede. According to Fact representatives Marthe Kampman and Paul Durenkamp, life on campus and in nearby Enschede should be nothing more and nothing less than gezellig (cozy). Located at the Pakkerij building on the Oude Market (old market) in Enschede, but linked with the University Twente, the Fact group serves as an umbrella organization for four associations with a total of 1,300 student members. Opportunities abound for international students to relish in a great student life alongside their studies.
Violinist Anne Maas of the Musica Silvestra Orkest (student symphony orchestra) was there to encourage international students to register. She said that now the group needs more musicians, certainly students who can play horn instruments. According to Maas, international students can rent a music instrument and rehearsals are held every Monday evening from 8:00pm to 10:30pm.
Thousands of miles away from home and having lived for only 4 months in the Netherlands, Tanzanian Kassim Nihuka had this to say, `These moments, when we get to meet other people, are really great. It keeps us from thinking about home. I miss my family-especially my children.'
