Groningen a city of international students: an XXL experience

What strikes you instantly when you walk through the streets of Groningen is probably the average age.

Indeed, one in four inhabitants is a student and half of the population is under the age of 35 years old. This makes Groningen the youngest city in the Netherlands.

This atmosphere can be felt at every moment, which transforms the Erasmus year into an XXL experience.

In supermarkets, shops, cafés, restaurants, students are everywhere, which makes it easier to meet people but above all it gives a more casual rhythm to everyday life.

It is therefore very easy to find students ready to party in the city's many pubs, clubs and pool centers, whatever the evening of the week (and yes, even on Mondays).

This destination is also very popular with young Dutch students. Even if some of them remain among themselves through "The Brotherhood private club" (a kind of private club on the German model exclusively for the Dutch) many are those who mix with Erasmus students. Besides, their English is impeccable!

This atmosphere, which is conducive to encounters, makes it easy to get to know students from all backgrounds, cultures and accents (hang in there!). Sometimes, there is only one thing that you have in common: English.

This is quite crazy, since knowing that for very few, English is the mother language, no one judges the level of the other. If you are looking for your words, it is normal at first, but often your interlocutor will make the effort to understand. This is very conducive to fast progress.

So I know what you're thinking: "This is the dream city!" And it is.

"But how can I go to others at first knowing that I am shy or not very confident with my English?” To this question, one answer: ESN (Erasmus Student Network).

Even if the city is full of opportunities to meet people, the ESN is probably the easiest way, because the association organizes weeks of integrations, parties and even trips.

That's what we were able to do with the two IUT students I left with.

Indeed, even if we missed the integration week because the tickets left very quickly, we were able to hang on to the ESN cars.

Over the evenings we were able to form a group of about ten students with whom we spent the entire first semester, especially through the various trips organized by the ESN to Ameland the islands of the North of the Netherlands or to Prague (two trips that I highly recommend to you).

So to conclude, you should know that the great strength of the city of Groningen is probably its warm and festive aspect of every moment. There are many opportunities to meet people, either at university, through ESN or around the passions you will develop there. For my part, it was music and theatre. This will be the topic of some articles in this blog.

For the most serious of you, don't panic, the city has only two major universities, which standardizes exam periods for everyone. This will give you the opportunity and strength to work without problems.

But do never forget that the most beautiful thing about travelling is to meet people, so you could as well choose the right place.