Ella (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Groningen

I found out about the exchange through a friend who was interested in doing one.

When I first arrived in the Netherlands, I was very anxious and overwhelmed, but the uni had students there to help us find our trains and our accommodation. My accommodation was a bit like halls as there were. lots of students sharing one kitchen (around 30 per kitchen). It was often dirty, and while we were there, lots of renovations were being done. It was not value for money in that regard but the social aspect more than made up for it and although I am someone who values a nice living space, I wouldn’t trade the social aspect for nicer accomodation.

The courses were high quality and interesting, however a very different style of learning than at UOA. Exams counted for 100% of our grades and we had no tutorials. We were expected to complete lots of reading by ourselves. I also missed the intercultural aspect of psychology that Auckland Uni offers and was very aware of the Eurocentric perspective the lecturers at Groningen University held.

The quality of life for me and many other students in Groningen was fantastic. Everyone cycles everywhere. The furthest cycle I ever needed to take was 25 minutes. The University facilities were also excellent. Sports classes, beginner sports courses, sports courts and a pool were all accessible for a fee of 80 NZD. I used the sports services multiple times a week with my friends to play beach volleyball, learnt the basics of squash with an instructor, took part in tournaments and attended fitness classes.

Nightlife in Groningen also feels very safe, and the city center is very close, so you don’t have to commit to a big night out with expensive Ubers. This was a surprising highlight for me as I don’t usually go out, but I found that I loved dancing and live music events. Being social is very easy and there are many places buzzing with students to find your people.

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

– Hearing new perspective about topics I have already covered at UOA

– Understanding more about where my education at UOA sits in relation to the types of educational approaches that are out there. Talking to other exchange students about the way their uni teaches psychology was some of the most interesting learning in my degree so far.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

– Joining ACLO (the equivalent to the recreation centre) and being as involved as possible.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

– Be intentional with friendships, most friendships form early on. For example, if you would like your semester to involve lots of sports, seek out sporty people to form connections with.

– Enjoy the fact that you don’t have to worry about grades, focus on enjoying the learning process, and let curiosity guide you. You’ll probably find your grades will be the same/ better this way anyway.

– At Groningen uni don’t be intimidated by how everyone says the courses are really hard. Yes, the grading is harsh, and if you’re used to getting high grades, you might be disappointed, but just do the readings and go to the lectures, and you will be fine. There is actually a lot less content than at Auckland uni. At Groningen, they just test memory, not so much application, so there is less to remember, but you have to be more detailed.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

My scholarship and my student loan covered all my expenses but I did also have substantial savings as back-up and peace of mind.

My rent + living costs for the whole time cost around $9,000 NZD, not including flights

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

– Languages are important and achievable to learn, I realised that learning Maori is important to me.

– I like to be more social and busy than I thought. It really improves my mental health.

– Auckland City’s sense of community is really hindered by how long it takes to get around. Public transport and bike paths are infrastructures I really value now.

Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?

I solo travelled a lot, and it really improved my confidence in decision-making and resilience.