The Northern Times
  • News
    • All
    • Crime
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Ukraine
    A bus at a bus station.

    New round of regional transport strike in the North

    The outside of a building by night.

    Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on UMCG

    A woman.

    Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

    Philips Drachten

    Philips to fire 6,000 staff to cut costs

    First flight from Eelde to Munich

    Eelde Airport secures two new summer routes

    A hydrogen bus.

    Lobbying for the North: Building a Hydrogen Valley

    An American Groninger in Madurodam

    Groningers have the best sense of humor in the Netherlands, study claims

    A band playing at a live concert

    Sold-out Eurosonic Noorderslag brings the best in European music to Northern Netherlands

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food & Drinks
      • Nightlife
      • Shopping
      • What's happening
      Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

      Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

      The anti Zwarte Piet protest in Emmen

      Emmen: Four people still detained after anti Zwarte Piet protest

      The inside of Forum Groningen

      “Let’s Gro” opens a discussion on the future of Groningen

      What about food in student city Groningen?

      Where to get knockout fries in the northern provinces

      Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

      Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

      Trending Tags

      • Culture
        • All
        • Dutch history
        • Typical Dutch
        A woman.

        Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

        Eurosonic Noorderslag

        Eurosonic Noorderslag

        Ending the Year with a Bang!

        Ending the Year with a Bang!

        It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

        It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

        A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

        A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

        Sinterklaas is Here!

        Sinterklaas is Here!

        A moment from NFF 2021

        Noordelijk Film Festival 2022 has started

        “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

        “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

        Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

        Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

        Trending Tags

        • People
          • All
          • Expats
          • International students
          The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

          The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

          Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

          Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

          It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

          It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

          People protesting on a street in Groningen.

          Former Sugar Homes residents protest for return of withheld deposit

          I’m not Black; I’m African

          I’m not Black; I’m African

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

          MPs call for cap on foreign student numbers in order to ensure ‘accessibility’

          Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

          Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

          Common cold becoming too common

          Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

          Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

          Trending Tags

          • Opportunities
            • All
            • business
            • Education
            The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

            The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

            Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

            Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

            Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

            Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

            Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

            Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            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)

            Trending Tags

            • Submit A Tip/Article
            No Result
            View All Result
            • News
              • All
              • Crime
              • Economics
              • Education
              • Health
              • Politics
              • Sports
              • Tech
              • Ukraine
              A bus at a bus station.

              New round of regional transport strike in the North

              The outside of a building by night.

              Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on UMCG

              A woman.

              Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

              The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

              The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

              Philips Drachten

              Philips to fire 6,000 staff to cut costs

              First flight from Eelde to Munich

              Eelde Airport secures two new summer routes

              A hydrogen bus.

              Lobbying for the North: Building a Hydrogen Valley

              An American Groninger in Madurodam

              Groningers have the best sense of humor in the Netherlands, study claims

              A band playing at a live concert

              Sold-out Eurosonic Noorderslag brings the best in European music to Northern Netherlands

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

                Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

                The anti Zwarte Piet protest in Emmen

                Emmen: Four people still detained after anti Zwarte Piet protest

                The inside of Forum Groningen

                “Let’s Gro” opens a discussion on the future of Groningen

                What about food in student city Groningen?

                Where to get knockout fries in the northern provinces

                Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

                Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  A woman.

                  Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

                  Eurosonic Noorderslag

                  Eurosonic Noorderslag

                  Ending the Year with a Bang!

                  Ending the Year with a Bang!

                  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                  A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

                  A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

                  Sinterklaas is Here!

                  Sinterklaas is Here!

                  A moment from NFF 2021

                  Noordelijk Film Festival 2022 has started

                  “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                  “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                  Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                  Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                    Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                    Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                    People protesting on a street in Groningen.

                    Former Sugar Homes residents protest for return of withheld deposit

                    I’m not Black; I’m African

                    I’m not Black; I’m African

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

                    MPs call for cap on foreign student numbers in order to ensure ‘accessibility’

                    Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

                    Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

                    Common cold becoming too common

                    Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                    Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                    Trending Tags

                    • Opportunities
                      • All
                      • business
                      • Education
                      The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                      The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                      Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                      Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                      Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                      Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                      Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

                      Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      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)

                      Trending Tags

                      • Submit A Tip/Article
                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      The Northern Times
                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      Home contributors

                      Nina Yakimova: “The north, mon amour”

                      Traci White by Traci White
                      March 11, 2019
                      in contributors
                      0
                      Nina Yakimova: “The north, mon amour”
                      0
                      SHARES
                      2.1k
                      VIEWS
                      Share on TwitterShare on FacebookWhatsapp

                      In the northern capital of the Netherlands, you will occasionally hear the locals (and local football fans) declare, “Nothing tops Groningen.”

                      By Nina Yakimova

                      You can take this literally (let’s not fool ourselves: Groningen is at the edge of the world) or metaphorically; either way, it is an expression filled with love, honor, and pride. And if you stay long enough, you too will glow with glee every time you hear someone mention your city on TV or read about it in the newspapers.

                      Groningen can be harsh – you are miles away from home and family, most of the time it’s cold and dark, and you’re forced to decipher this beautifully weird Dutch language. But it is also loving, exciting, and inclusive.

                      Home away from home

                      I first visited Groningen in February 2012. It was dark, damp, and miserable. When I moved (permanently) in the late summer that same year, I knew what to expect. But to my surprise, Groningen welcomed me with green grass, sunshine, and Seurat-esque scenery in every park. Locals and internationals were united by Groningen’s warmth, soaking up the sun, happy and carefree.

                      Coming from the capital of Bulgaria, with more than two million citizens, the prospect of living in a small town terrified me. I was afraid I would discover everything in Groningen in a day and spend the rest of the year bored and trapped in my student room. But soon enough, Groningen and the rest of the Northern provinces proved me wrong.

                      From quirky antique winkeltjes and cafesto fancy clubs and restaurants to gardens and lakes, Groningen has everything. Throughout my short stay (it’s about to be six years this August), I have heard people say that the northerners have a reputation of being unwelcoming and somewhat cold. Au contraire: Groningen is always changing, as are its citizens.

                      Groningen is an international hub. I didn’t feel like I was living in a secluded small town in the far north of the country. Quite the opposite: all of the international students and visitors give the city a hip vibe, which very much reminds me of my hometown. In addition to being immersed in different cultures, I did learn Dutch, which helped me experience Groningen and the local culture in a different way.

                      Big city life turned small town romance

                      Falling in love (not only with the country, but also with one particular person) was another reason I put in the long hours to learn Dutch. After I met my boyfriend at a concert in the indie club Vera in Groningen, I soon moved in with him in a small town on the edge of Friesland called Wolvega.

                      It was, and still is, a turbulent experience living in a small town with around 12,000 citizens. “Now this is the middle of nowhere – nothing happens here”, I would catch myself thinking. I was afraid to leave yet another big city and move to a tiny village. I was so terrified I would lose my friends in Groningen.

                      But it turns out that even the smallest of villages in the Netherlands are bubbling with (international) life. Compared to Bulgaria, where most of the county’s population is concentrated in the big cities, I felt at home here because this small town and its inhabitants welcomed me into their lives. I particularly like the familiarity you experience in small towns. Everyone says hi to you on the streets, or even stops you to ask how things are. I have a favorite café in Wolvega called De Thee van Tat, where you can drink coffee with the staff like you were visiting them at home for an afternoon treat. If you feel like coffee on Sundays, you can even call them and they will open just for you – a cool way to make you feel fancy and special.

                      On top of making new comrades in Friesland, I still travel regularly to and from Groningen and the surrounding area. I’m painfully aware that most Duchies will disagree with me, but I love the public transport: it’s easy to use, and most of the time, it’s on schedule. Compared to the trains in Bulgaria, NS is out of this world – in a good way!

                      But what I love the most about living in the Netherlands is my relationship with both Groningen and Friesland. I’ve travelled the country and had plenty of typical Dutch experiences: getting stuck at a train station in the south, exploring weirdly symmetrical forests, lounging in the park, drinking beer with my friends, sitting in a circle at a birthday party, walking the busy streets of Amsterdam.

                      But the simple joy of reading a book in my own back yard (yes, in the countryside you get a front anda back yard!) reminds to me that after all these years, I’ve found an impossible love in the strangest of places: The Netherlands’ northern provinces.

                       

                      Tags: BulgariaFrieslandGroningenWolvega
                      Previous Post

                      Police uniforms, service weapon stolen during break-ins in Groningen

                      Next Post

                      Tuesday Arriva strike called off

                      Next Post
                      Arriva

                      Tuesday Arriva strike called off

                      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

                      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

                      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 (56) Art (62) Assen (184) Climate Change (51) Coronavirus (501) coronavirus regulations (49) COVID-19 (334) COVID 19 (59) culture (46) Drachten (48) Drenthe (886) earthquakes (56) Eelde (45) Emmen (159) festival (47) football (62) Friesland (958) Groningen (1920) Groningen Airport Eelde (53) Groninger Museum (50) Grote Markt (46) Hanzehogeschool (53) Heerenveen (41) Hoogeveen (49) housing (113) international students (59) jobs (65) Leeuwarden (413) Make it in the North (60) Mark Rutte (44) music (43) natural gas (58) Netherlands (71) NHL Stenden (52) NS (47) police (67) protest (58) RUG (151) Sneek (43) students (94) train (65) UMCG (111) University of Groningen (202) Wadden Sea (43) what's on (67)
                      • News
                      • Lifestyle
                      • Culture
                      • People
                      • Opportunities
                      • Submit A Tip/Article

                      © 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

                      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

                      © 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

                      Welcome Back!

                      Login to your account below

                      Forgotten Password?

                      Retrieve your password

                      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

                      Log In

                      Add New Playlist

                      Submit a article

                      Send in an article to be published on The Northern Times.

                      Send a news tip

                      Got a story idea or want us to be aware of anything?