Workshops for new master students: ‘Making friends is like doing a puzzle’

“Have any of you ever cycled in the Netherlands?” In the Echo academic building’s biggest lecture hall on Wednesday afternoon, 10 of the 44 participants hesitatingly raised their hands.

They had all chosen the workshop on safe cycling given by the Fietsersbond, the Dutch Cyclists’ Union. Using a PowerPoint presentation, two Fietsersbond volunteers explain what makes a bicycle safe and how cyclists should behave on the road. Their most important message? “Dutch people know the traffic rules, but do not always stick to them. Make sure that you do so and always be alert.”

Burn out prevention

Other workshops from which the new international students could choose cover topics like sustainability, burnout, the Dutch language, health insurance and inclusiveness. Most of the workshops are given twice so that all the students have the chance to attend. The second workshop on ‘the art of making friends’ attracts a handful of participants from countries such as India and China. The workshop is given by MoTiv and is grounded in the idea that friendships are important for the mental health of every student. “Making friends is like doing a puzzle,” one participant philosophises. “You are a piece of the puzzle and if you find a piece that fits perfectly, you have a friend for life.”

Eleni, a Greek master’s student, came to the workshop about the Dutch health and general insurance system. The participants learn what general practitioners do, when they do or do not need to have health insurance, what liability insurance is etc. “We don’t have general practitioners in Greece. You just go to the hospital, even if all you have is the flu.” Eleni found the workshop very helpful. “I will be here for two years so you need to know this kind of thing.”