Home away from home: unexpected similarities between Dutch and international cultures - The Northern Times
NorthenTimes
logo The Northern Times
  • News
    • All
    • Crime
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Ukraine
    Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

    Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Weldoener Blond voted best beer of Netherlands

    UMCG and RUG researchers involved in stress study

    UMCG and RUG researchers involved in stress study

    earthquake_damage_home

    Audit Chamber slams slow pace of earthquake damage payouts

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food & Drinks
      • Nightlife
      • Shopping
      • What's happening
      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Trending Tags

      • Culture
        • All
        • Dutch history
        • Typical Dutch
        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

        Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

        Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

        Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

        Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

        Bittersweet Heritage

        Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

        Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

        Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

        A stumbling stone in Groningen

        New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        Trending Tags

        • People
          • All
          • Expats
          • International students
          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

          New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

          ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

          Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

          NHL_Stenden_studying

          New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

          Trending Tags

          • Opportunities
            • All
            • business
            • Education
            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

            Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Job opportunities in the North increase

            Job opportunities in the North increase

            Trending Tags

            • Submit A Tip/Article
            No Result
            View All Result
            The Northern Times
            • News
              • All
              • Crime
              • Economics
              • Education
              • Health
              • Politics
              • Sports
              • Tech
              • Ukraine
              Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

              Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Weldoener Blond voted best beer of Netherlands

              UMCG and RUG researchers involved in stress study

              UMCG and RUG researchers involved in stress study

              earthquake_damage_home

              Audit Chamber slams slow pace of earthquake damage payouts

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

                  Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

                  Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

                  Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

                  Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

                  Bittersweet Heritage

                  Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

                  Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

                  Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

                  A stumbling stone in Groningen

                  New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

                    New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                    ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

                    Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

                    NHL_Stenden_studying

                    New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

                    Trending Tags

                    • Opportunities
                      • All
                      • business
                      • Education
                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Job opportunities in the North increase

                      Job opportunities in the North increase

                      Trending Tags

                      • Submit A Tip/Article
                      The Northern Times
                      logo The Northern Times
                      Home People International students
                      Home away from home: unexpected similarities between Dutch and international cultures

                      Home away from home: unexpected similarities between Dutch and international cultures

                      Yelena Kilina by Yelena Kilina
                      September 9, 2019
                      in International students, People
                      0
                      Share on TwitterShare on FacebookWhatsapp

                      When international students first arrive in the Netherlands, right away they spot the differences: people cycle without helmets, eat sandwiches that involve only a loaf of bread and pack of cheese for lunch, and, when it finally stops raining, pause their work to enjoy a precious bit of sunshine. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and homesick when you dive into new culture, but hold on! We suggest making like the Dutch and building bridges: what about finding common ground? We asked newly arrived students about similarities between their homelands and the Netherlands.

                      Written by Yelena Kilina

                      People and practicalities

                      Queueing at the Immigration Service Desk of the RUG, Amir from Malaysia and Haewon from South Korea took a moment to think, as they only moved to Groningen around 2 weeks ago. ‘I cannot think of anything,’ Amir hesitates before coming up with an idea, ‘Multicultural cities and the combination of different cultures. We have Malays, Chinese, Indian people in Malaysia and Groningen is also very multicultural’.

                      Haewon notices that the price of food and transportation in Groningen is similar to South Korea, so it is a little easier for him to adapt to life in the North. As for the differences, he believes that Korean people are less independent and direct than the Dutch.

                      Trends and culture

                      Trying to use university printer for the first time, Joris from Germany lists corresponding ecological trends, like eco-friendly clothing, healthy eating and green cities. ‘Architecture is also similar, though German houses are usually higher.’

                      In the university canteen, law student Hüseyin from Turkey recalls people hanging out on the streets of Groningen at 11 pm, which reminded him of Turkish night life. However, there is more traffic in his country and pedestrians there are less ‘important’ than in the Netherlands.

                      Waiting for her lecture, Yixue, who came from China to study art culture and media, reflects: ‘In Southern China there are a lot of traditional houses and bridges over rivers, even though the style is different, Dutch buildings and canals remind me of them.’

                      Food and customs

                      Chatting in front of the Academy building, students from Finland, Germany and Estonia discussed cultural similarities from the perspective of food. International and European law student Saara is happy that fish is a common part of both Dutch and Finnish cuisine. Her classmate, Henneke from Germany, adds that beer is equally popular in the two countries. Birk from Estonia found out that Dutch dishes remind him of food in Estonia.  ‘Even though Dutch food contains different ingredients, it has similar taste. Perhaps, thanks to sourish sauces’, smiles the behaviour and neuroscience student.

                      When I arrived in Groningen myself, I was also quite surprised to see pancakes and mashed potatoes in the Dutch cuisine – the all-time favourites are also popular in Russian-speaking countries. Speaking of language, Dutch words for mum and dad are ‘mama’ and ‘papa’, which sounds very pleasing to Russian ears. And to conclude my personal top-list, the sweet tradition of the three cheek-kisses to greet and say goodbye is known among both Russian and Dutch people!

                      Have you discovered any other surprising similarities or differences? Share them with us in comments!

                       

                      Tags: cultural similaritiesDutch cultureGroningeninternational studentsmoving to the NetherlandsRUGsimilarities and differences
                      Previous Post

                      Ferry to Edinburgh postponed for half a year

                      Next Post

                      Northern cities to attract more inhabitants, whilst populations to fall out of town

                      Yelena Kilina

                      Yelena Kilina

                      Related Posts

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      May 17, 2022
                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      February 13, 2022
                      Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

                      New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

                      January 28, 2022
                      ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                      ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                      April 22, 2021
                      ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                      ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                      April 8, 2021
                      A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                      ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

                      March 3, 2021
                      Next Post
                      Northern cities to attract more inhabitants, whilst populations to fall out of town

                      Northern cities to attract more inhabitants, whilst populations to fall out of town

                      Leeuwarder man given 400 Euro fine for accepting stolen 50 Euros

                      Leeuwarder man given 400 Euro fine for accepting stolen 50 Euros

                      Discussion about this post

                      Most popular this week

                      • Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                        Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Back from the dead: previously bankrupt Vapiano may re-open on June 1

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Powered by:

                      Akkoord van Groningen, Gemeente Groningen, Koninklijke Metaalunie & FME, University of Groningen, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Samenwerking Noord, Campus Groningen, and DUO/NEC NL (Nationaal Europass Centrum Nederland). 

                      Privacy statement and disclaimer 

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Newsletter

                      Once or twice a week, we send out a digital newsletter to our subscribers. We will not and cannot share email addresses or any other personal data provided by our subscribers with any third parties, nor will we use this information for any purposes other than providing the newsletter. 

                      Questions or comments?

                      If you have any questions concerning your privacy or comments about ways that you think we could further protect and inform you about your privacy, please let us know by contacting us at info@tammeling.nl

                      Disclaimer

                      The Northern Times reserves the right to change its privacy policy, but will inform our subscribers and readers in advance prior to implementing any such changes. These changes will be published in a timely manner on The Northern Times’ website.

                      Tags

                      Arriva (49) Art (62) Assen (181) Climate Change (49) Coronavirus (498) coronavirus regulations (48) COVID-19 (331) COVID 19 (58) culture (44) Drachten (47) Drenthe (863) earthquakes (52) Eelde (44) Emmen (157) festival (43) football (62) Friesland (934) Groningen (1856) Groningen Airport Eelde (51) Groninger Museum (48) Hanzehogeschool (53) Heerenveen (41) Hoogeveen (49) housing (110) international students (53) jobs (63) Leeuwarden (406) Make it in the North (55) Mark Rutte (44) music (41) natural gas (55) Netherlands (67) NHL Stenden (50) NS (43) police (66) protest (56) RUG (146) Schiermonnikoog (40) Sneek (43) students (92) train (63) UMCG (108) University of Groningen (197) Wadden Sea (42) what's on (67)
                      • News
                      • Lifestyle
                      • Culture
                      • People
                      • Opportunities
                      • Submit A Tip/Article

                      © Copyrights The Northern Times 2018

                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      • Culture
                        • Dutch history
                        • Typical Dutch
                      • Lifestyle
                        • Food & Drinks
                        • Nightlife
                        • Shopping
                        • What’s happening
                      • News
                        • Economics
                        • Politics
                        • Sports
                        • Tech
                      • People
                        • Expats
                        • International students
                      • Opportunities
                        • business
                        • Education
                      • Bloom: Subscribe