Linesh Maharaj: Universiteit Utrecht

Name: Linesh Maharaj
UOW Degree: B Commerce/LLB
Major: E Commerce/Information Systems
Host University: Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands

Upon being accepted at Utrecht Universiteit, I was contacted by the international co-ordinator informing me that my accommodation was to be at a Dutch student house. I was to be sharing a house with 9 Dutch and a German whilst I stayed in Utrecht. Before I departed I managed to convince one of my house mates to meet me at the Utrecht Centraal Station (Central Station) when arrived.

In order to get to Utrecht and old city in the centre of the Netherlands from the airport you need to catch a train from the airport. The trip is about 40 minutes with one stop at a station called Duivendrecht. You need to change there for Utrecht Centraal. The trip is about 15 euros so not cheap but not overly expensive either.

I arrived at about 8 pm and was met by Pieter, one of my flatmates, and caught a 5 minute bus 'home'. To my pleasant surprise I am close to the heart of the city, and have a double room with full facilities to myself. I have to share a kitchen and bathroom with 4 other people, and thus far hasn't really been a problem. Most of the Dutch house mates have lived her for a couple years and this is home to them.

The first priority when getting here was to buy a bicycle or fiets as its known in dutch. being a flat country it is by far and away the most popular mode of transport. 2 options. The first one is to spend about 50 euros and get one from a bike shop - second hand off course and the buy a lock for another 30. the second option ,though illegal, but far more popular is to buy one of a junkie, for about 10 euros. This is common practice and inevitable the lock becomes worth more than the bike. Hence bikes here are ones you are more likely to buy at a garage sale back at home.

The next few days was spent getting to know the city. There is no campus for the Law faculty and the buildings are scattered in town. there are 261 000 people in Utrecht and 51 000 are students. the city is an old one, and so is the university being established in 1634. In the second week I had 3 introduction days. The first for all exchange students, and the next 2 for my law faculty.It was good as there are a few administrative things that need to be done, but the best part about it was that I met some people that have turned out to be my social group. The exchange students here are mainly from europe, with a few from Australia, Canada and the States. You are given a tour of the city and of the different buildings where the classes are, but it does become quiet repetitive and a lot of the information was repeated.

My first experience of lectures came early this week, and it turn out that I have a Thursdays and fridays off, which is great for traveling. The law lecture are taught in a very similar way to how they are back at Wollongong. Small seminar type group where discussion is encouraged. With people coming from different legal systems, I recommend doing the comparative legal courses as I think you will get a lot of benefit with the different legal cultures in the same class.

The Eramsmus Student Network or ESN is a body that looks after the social aspect for international students. It is a great organisation as they provide a lot of support through providing new student with mentors, and mentor groups to meet people and to help you if you have a bit of culture shock. We tend to meet at least once a week so far. The ESN also arranges trips to Amsterdam, BBQ's, International parties, and a lot of different social functions. It is a great way once again to meet people from different cultures. By me living in a dutch student house, I have a good balance by meeting with the internationals at uni, and the locals at home.

Well that's it for me so far, when I travel around holland ill send you more photos

- Linesh Maharaj

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Last reviewed: 4 April, 2007

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