Studying abroad — a mature student’s experience
My reflections on attending a two-week Summer School at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, facilitated by the Study Abroad office at Leeds.
Tulips, wooden clogs and windmills? These are some of the things the Netherlands is known for, but I recently got the chance to see past the stereotypes and explore Dutch Culture: Society and Current Issues in a fascinating two-week Summer School held at Utrecht University.
After participating in a range of lectures and seminars on topics as varied as Dutch colonialism, immigration, the ‘Nitrogen Crisis’ in Dutch agriculture, the political system and the Dutch monarchy, I’ve learnt so much and had the opportunity to talk to local people, make new friends and explore such a beautiful city.
Many of the issues we discussed are global issues that affect us here in the UK too. How do we deal with the legacy of colonialism? How can a densely populated country protect the planet in a globalised world?
In the first year of my degree at Leeds I considered applying for a summer school through the Study Abroad office, but it seemed complicated and a bit scary (I struggle with anxiety) — so I didn’t pursue it. When a course-mate suggested applying this year, I agreed thinking it would be great to go together.
We chose Utrecht as travel to the Netherlands is relatively easy, their Summer School only lasts two weeks and the course deals with many of the issues we cover on Professional Studies, such as immigration and sustainability.
We both applied but the course was oversubscribed and — despite an excellent application — my friend missed out on a place. To be honest, at this point I felt like not going…but my lovely friend insisted I had to take the opportunity.
Once I’d made that decision I received a lot of support from the Study Abroad team with advice on how to research travel options, local culture and accommodation. Although I had to fund my travel and accommodation myself, my tuition fees were paid as my place was part of an exchange programme.
I took the Eurostar from London to Amsterdam and then travelled on by train to Utrecht. I went a few days early, accompanied by my husband, to get to know the area — he then left on the Sunday before the Summer School started.
Students at the Summer School came from many different countries, including Hong Kong, China, Peru and Switzerland, as well as other parts of the UK (there was also one Dutch student). Each day we studied from 10.00am until 3.00pm with an hour for lunch, when we could visit local cafés or sit in the gardens outside our building.
Aside from lectures with Kristian, our course leader, we had many guest lecturers presenting on their specialist interests. One seminar involved looking at Chinese school textbooks from different decades to see how descriptions of Dutch history varied (Google Translate and students who spoke Mandarin were vital for this task!). We were required to prepare mini-presentations on Dutch political parties and issues relating to agriculture and immigration.
We also had a great day trip to Rotterdam, witnessing vast container ships being loaded and unloaded at the modern port, and visiting the picturesque and historic borough of Delfshaven. One afternoon we watched and discussed a Dutch movie; another day some of our group climbed the Dom Tower of Utrecht while the rest of us visited St. Catherine’s Convent Museum.
We had reading to do every night to prepare for the next day, and short assignments to complete each week. At the end of the final week, we sat an exam — the first I have done since my twenties! — for which we were given certificates on the final day.
Friends and food were real highlights of the experience for me. I had delicious lunches of salads, kaas tostis, or pancakes every day with my fellow students, and got to hear about their lives and studies at home. Dutch coffee and pastries, especially fresh stroopwafels, are very good and I became fond of the homemade iced tea that’s available everywhere. The streets and squares of Utrecht are full of pavement bars and cafés which create a lively atmosphere at weekends. I don’t usually drink beer but there was such an excellent choice available, and I found some I really liked!
In my free time I wandered around Utrecht, which boasts some beautiful architecture and stunning public art. I also visited the Museum Speelklok which houses clocks and musical organs from fairgrounds and dancehalls, some of which are played on a guided tour.
Utrecht is a beautiful city that I’m most definitely going to return to. The people are friendly — and all speak perfect English! I got to make some lovely friends (although I was the oldest by far it really didn’t matter as everyone was so nice and we were all learning together), chat to Dutch people about their city and country and spend longer in a country than I normally would. I almost felt like a local as I made my way to university each morning, after coffee at my favourite café!
Attending the Summer School increased my confidence enormously — taking part in seminars and applying my previous knowledge showed me I had something useful to contribute, especially as I had more life experience than many of the other students.
I never imagined I would travel abroad alone but I did it — and thrived on the experience. My solo return journey went smoothly, and I navigated busy rail stations without trouble.
It’s worth remember the sources of funding which exist at Leeds to potentially help mature students take up opportunities like this one. The Plus Programme, for example, offers an Opportunities Fund which welcomes applications from students who would otherwise be unable to do so for financial reasons.
Students such as myself who are studying courses taught by the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC), meanwhile, or who have progressed from one of their foundation programmes to an undergraduate degree taught elsewhere at Leeds, can also apply to a separate fund.
I appreciate not all mature students will be in a position to consider studying abroad, particularly if they have caring responsibilities or other commitments, but I’d definitely say a short Summer School like the one at Utrecht is an option worth considering!
