This month the second edition of the English language Campus-Union Guide has appeared. In it most, if not all, student societies present themselves. But are the societies ready for an influx of people who do not speak Dutch?
A survey of student societies at the University of Twente shows that where the non-Dutch join student societies, people are happy to help by translating where necessary and taking into account dietary needs and the like. The diversity that different nationalities bring is welcomed enthusiastically.
For some student organisations it can be difficult to accommodate non-Dutch speaking students. Integrand, which organises student-traineeships in companies, has tried to help foreign students but was unsuccessful. 'Even large multinationals are not ready for a group of students without adequate Dutch,' Integrand's chairman Chris Schaap explains, 'we can try, but there is only a slim chance that we can mediate for them successfully.'
Societies like the comedy society Contramime and the drama society Nest work only in Dutch, and a potential member should at least be able to speak some Dutch, even if only interested in building sets. Small and relatively unknown societies like the juggling society Catchup and the Jazz Podium Drienerlo, which organises jazz concerts, have not had any international students applying, but would welcome them if they came.
The Bellettrie library, however, positively embraces foreign students and staff and estimates that five percent of its membership is from outside the Netherlands. Not surprising, as it has a large collection of English language books, including science fiction and fantasy, and also books in French and German. Someone who has just started to learn Dutch might furthermore be interested in the comics present in the library, with the low level of language-understanding they require.
David Jansen, from the committee running the Bellettrie library, explains that they want to offer a relaxed living-room-atmosphere, not just a sterile reading room. As an example David says that when he came to Twente he had lived in Switzerland for a number of years and did not speak Dutch very well or know the culture. 'In the living room of the Bellettrie library I quickly found people to connect to and to ask how the Dutch looked at certain things. It certainly helped me find my feet here.'
For cultural societies whether or not they have foreign members is mainly determined by their activities. For study societies the deciding factor is the presence of foreign students in their faculties. No international students in the faculties of Chemical Technology,Applied Communication or Philosophy and Social Science, means no international students in Alembic, Communiqué or Ideefiks respectively. This is not to say, however, that they would be unwelcome there. At present everything they do is in Dutch, but when non-Dutch come calling they would be willing to accommodate them.
The faculties of Mathematical Science (study society Abacus) and Educational Science and Technology (TObias) have a fair number of Master's students. Therefore, both societies have a number of activities where, at the very least, they are taken into account. At, for example, barbecues dietary needs are considered, in meetings relevant issues are translated and e-mails are sent in Dutch and English. TObias has a special committee, the 'multi cultee', and recently they set up a 'masterbuddy scheme' where two fulltime students take a group of master's students out a number of times, for instance into town.
Many of the sports societies have not yet had foreign members, but would welcome them. They would appreciate the different perspective, interesting stories, and, perhaps, novel ways of training. Some of the societies are so small that all new members are welcome. Instruction in English is not a problem, even if the instructor would not know a term a fellow student would be able to help.
Exceptions with a fair number of international members include Arashi, martial arts, and Gascogne, fencing.
The fencing society is a small one and in a membership of approximately thirty, seven members from outside the Netherlands is on the upper limit of what the society can handle. AndrÚ Ligthart, the fencing instructor, says that he is at the moment almost exclusively teaching in English and French. But the extra effort is worth it. Some of the foreign members are from real fencing countries like Bulgaria and Hungary and that is truly enriching to the society. Here too the effort is made to translate relevant information into English, including speeches at parties, and parts of the minutes for official meetings.
If you would like a copy of the new Campus-Union Guide ask at Vrijhof reception, or send an e-mail to: [email protected].
