D-I-E Netherlands

1. DESCRIBE: Think of one episode that has left you confused or that you think was strange/different. Describe the object or situation in concrete, observable terms. What happened in the interaction? What was said? What did you see? What did you feel at the moment?

In Netherlands, people are very friendly and social. However, in situations where something goes a little wrong, you can run in to a phenomenon called "Dutch comfort". It is something like cold comfort, meaning you do not get very sympathetic response, but for an example "better you than me". When I was registering as a resident of Enschede in City Hall, there was many problems along the way. I was very relieved when I finally got it done, and I thanked the person at the desk and said that I am glad it's over! The office worker started laughing at my face and said that it is not over yet, I still need to wait about a week for them to send the forms back to me. 

2. INTERPRET: Think of possible explanations (interpretations) for what you observed or experienced. From your cultural perspective, try to explain why you think this situation or experience occurred? Try to find at least 3 different interpretations of the interaction or occurrence. What cultural information have you used to produce these interpretations?  

In the beginning of my stay the Dutch comfort was quite a shock, but luckily our Dutch cultural studies contained a mention about this phenomenon. My first interpretation was that some people are rude and that customer service is bad. This first interpretation was from my Finnish point of view. Then I started to realize, that the Dutch comfort is actually a way to cope with hard situations and the people can actually mean well. To get the second interpretation, I had more experience and knowledge. Now the third interpretation is that the Dutch people are kind of friendly, they regard even strangers like their acquaintances, and they can say things that in Finland would be said only to a friend.

3. EVALUATE: Evaluate what you observed or experienced. What positive or negative feelings do you have regarding the situation? Consider how you might feel if you were a member of the host culture and held the dominant cultural values and beliefs?

The Dutch comfort now can even make me smile because I know it means well. I can even say something like it myself. I think if I was Dutch, I wouldn't even think about this phenomenon because it is so deeply rooted in their communication.

Letter home Milla

1.       In what country and University are you studying?

The Netherlands, Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

2.       In what Study program are you studying at Centria?

Industrial management, courses in Finnish language.

3.       What are the courses like at the host University?

Interesting. I study Business Engineering here and it’s so far different from the Finnish schedule I would have had.

4.       Describe the study culture?

We get a lot of homework compared to Finland. We are expected to read hundreds of pages theory every week and do multiple assignments for each class.

 There is lot of groupwork and studying is quite independent, the assigments are mostly done outside classes. During classes we have conversations on the theories and we are allowed to ask questions if something in our independent studies was incomprehensible to us.

5.       What is your study group like?

I think we have people from 14 different countries. Surprisingly we have about the same amount of men and women, which is unusual in engineering studies.

6.       Please describe what the everyday life is like in your host country? What do you like in particular?

I spend most of my time at school and at our flat, because of the amount of schoolwork. 

The food in shops is a little cheaper than in Finland, but the food at cafeterias and restaurants unfortunately isn’t.  I like the Unioncard student card, which grants me free swimming at a local pool and the possibility to join student sport associations at University of Twente. For just 30 euros extra fee, I now get to train boxing 3 times per week for my entire 6 months stay. 

Our flat is also quite nice, but the rent for this one room in a flat with 3 other students is 500 euros, which is more than I would pay in Ylivieska for a flat for myself alone.

7.       What has been challenging? Why?

The amount of schoolwork and meeting the expectations of the teachers, which seem to be set a lot higher than in Finland. In Finland I was able to get a top grade by showing up in all classes and doing all assignments in time, but in here, it doesn’t even guarantee passing the course. I am making some Averko courses to Finland to ensure I have enough credits, because in here, we are also allowed only one re-take of exam for this whole time!

8.       What has been the highlight of your exchange so far?

My roommates surprised me on my Birthday – they had secretly decorated our flat with balloons and a ”happy birthday” banner before I woke up in the morning! It was the best surprise I ever had on my birthday and I didn’t expect to celebrate at all.