Chapter 6
Social life: meeting people
The first weeks are the easiest time to meet people: everyone is new. Say yes to invitations.
The intro week
Almost every city and institution organises an introduction or welcome week at the start of the academic year, often with a separate programme for international students. Sign up in time: places can go quickly. You will meet the people you hang out with in the first months.
Associations and international clubs
- Study associations belong to your programme: drinks, book sales, talks and trips.
- Student associations come in every kind: big and small, with and without hazing-style initiations, for sport, music, theatre, faith or a shared background. Look around before you choose.
- International student organisations, such as the local section of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), run activities for international and local students.
Sport
Universities and university colleges often have a sports centre with a cheap student pass, and many sports clubs are looking for new members. Doing sport together is one of the easiest ways to make friends.
Events in your city
Find parties, sport, culture, networking and intro events on StudySlim Events, with an "international friendly" filter. Organising something for students yourself? Post it.
Tip for international students
Besides international friends, try to meet local students too, for example through a sports club or a study association. Your language and your way around the city will improve much faster.
In the Netherlands
In the Netherlands the start of the year is often called the introduction week (for example in August). Student and study associations present themselves there and during the first weeks.
In Belgium
In Flanders, student associations linked to a faculty or programme are often called "kringen". At the start of the academic year there are welcome days and opening parties.