A semester abroad in Utrecht
1 July 2022, by Dong Jian und Saskia Kahl
Photo: Dong Jian
Are you thinking about studying abroad? Last semester, one of the Ocean and Climate Physics master students studied one semester in Utrecht at Utrecht University. In this interview we talk about his time in Utrecht, the differences between German and Dutch universities and how to organize this.
Saskia: Dong, you didn't just decide to move from China to Germany to do your Master's in Hamburg. You went one step further and spent a semester in the Netherlands. How did you get the idea to go abroad again? Why the Netherlands? And how was your experience in Utrecht?
Dong: I chose Hamburg because of its reputation and relatively low cost. But my first year in 2020 did not go well due to the pandemic. So I thought, why not begin a new adventure? Then I consulted an advisor and finally landed in the Netherlands. In a word, my experience was amazing! I would call Utrecht home during my 5-months stay. Because I was lucky enough to meet my friends, and we had a lot of great memories. While completing a more challenging semester, I was engaged with its in-person teaching, which was filled with constructive interactions. I was motivated by my course-mates who were competitive but also very supportive. This experience is what I lacked in my first year.
Saskia: That sounds like a very nice experience! How do you organize a semester abroad? What did you not expect while planning?
Dong: The idea of studying abroad came up since I noticed our program handbook, then I contacted the Erasmus program coordinator Sonja Kanemaki and study advisor Dr. Thomas Pohlmann. They kindly offered me consulting, especially on paperwork. Having emailed back and forth with them and the coordinator at Utrecht University for a long period, they made my application go well. For the housing, Utrecht University would provide assistance and preserve apartments for exchange students, but one needs to book early, first come first served. I was worried that I had to extend one more semester, but I managed to take courses from both institutes during my third semester. I spent most of my time in Utrecht but went back to Hamburg twice by train to do tank experiments in the laboratory. These are part of a mandatory course in the third semester. What I did not expect was that the application process is long and bureaucratic, one has to apply on both sides, so just be patient.
Saskia: Did you have any difficulties because you are a non-EU citizen? Any advice you would have liked to have beforehand?
Dong: There is no big difference for non-EU citizens, as long as your German residency permit remains valid during your exchange period. One problem I met was that I originally planned to exchange two semesters but only did one semester because my residence validity does not cover the second semester. Besides, to get the exemption for the Dutch residence permit, one has to submit proof of insurance and financial statement to the Dutch Immigration Services. My advice is to keep in mind the application deadline, which is late January, annually, if you plan to go abroad in your third semester. Second, keep in contact with coordinators, because you may get valuable extra information that is absent on the website.
Saskia: Now, we've already talked a lot about the organisational side of things, but what exactly does student life look like? How do the courses in the Netherlands differ from those in Germany? Also, perhaps with regard to the pandemic: were there online or hybrid classes?
Dong: I really enjoyed my student life there. I was amazed that everyone has a bicycle and cycling in Utrecht made my daily life much more relaxing. My apartment is right on campus and neighbors a huge grassland, where I often see cows and sheep grazing. The classroom, library, or gym is just minutes away by bike, or I can enjoy the lively downtown by cycling in 20 minutes.
One is supposed to earn 30 credits per semester which is usually 4 courses, but I only took 3 courses there, namely "earth system modeling", "data analysis in climate", and "pattern recognition". At Utrecht, one semester is divided into two periods. So I finished the two courses in the first half of the semester and then the third course in the second period. The pace was tight but one can also be more focused. They provided a hybrid teaching, one can either go to the classroom in person or attend online meetings, and I always enjoy the classroom, engaging with my peers and lecturers was motivating.
Saskia: What about the exams and workload?
Dong: The workload was a bit tough, but they provide very detailed and transparent descriptions before you register for any course. The courses I did involved programming, team projects, written reports, presentations, and poster exhibitions, each part has a certain weight in the final grade. The lecturers are approachable and would love to provide detailed feedback on my schoolwork. My grading was rigorous but I enjoyed it.
Saskia: What surprised you?
Dong: Nothing much, I would rather say I enjoyed everything in Utrecht, even though the weather in winter is like that in Hamburg and living expenses are a bit higher. The most important thing for me was that I was lucky to meet my roommates and some friends, they made my life much happier.
Saskia: After you got back to Germany, was it easy to get the grades accepted? Any complications?
Dong: Yeah, the student office would recognize your achievement abroad. I didn’t mind that I earned 22.5 credits at Utrecht but only transferred 6 credits in the end, because I only need 6 credits to achieve my degree.
Saskia: Student life includes not only university events, but also life in the new city. How did you like Utrecht? Do you have any tips on what future students should definitely do there?
Dong: I loved Utrecht, it is a small city but full of lovely vibes. The city is passed through by canals, with flowers, bikes, bars, and clubs along the waterway. You may meet free open-air concerts on the streets occasionally. You can reach anywhere and get everything you need in the city by bike, and it is not as crowded and noisy as Amsterdam. I really recommend getting a bike once you arrive in Utrecht, paddling a boat through the old town is an activity one should definitely do in summer.
Saskia: How is it once you have been back in Germany?
Dong: The biggest difference is I really had a sense of belonging in Utrecht. I would miss it sometimes, but meanwhile, I should move on. Now, I am quite stressed with my Master's thesis.
About the authors
Dong Jian is a Master's student in Ocean and Climate Physics, and a member of the Data Assimilation group, he’s currently working on his MSc thesis on adjoint sensitivity modeling. Feel free to contact him for any questions.
Saskia Kahl is a former ‘Ocean and Climate Physics’ Master's student who wrote her thesis in the Sea Ice research group. Now she is doing her Ph.D. at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.