Hi, I’m Lydia, an English Literature student, and I have just finished my year abroad at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. I had not heard of Groningen until the application process, but I liked the look of the city and the fact that it had a big international student population.
Groningen did not let me down; it’s a lively, studenty city that’s always moving, and very beautiful. Canals run through the city, and it is packed with markets, cafés, bars, swimming lakes and green spaces. There’s always something happening: live music, nightlife, markets all year round, and seasonal or national holiday events and celebrations. Celebrating King’s Day, a national holiday where everyone dresses in orange and the whole city turned into one big street party, was definitely a highlight.
I lived in international student accommodation, called Winschoterdiep, and shared a flat with over twenty others. It was overwhelming at first, trying to settle in and be constantly social, but this also helped me feel at home much faster, and pushed me to meet people immediately. Winsc
hoterdiep became its own little community and ended up being the backbone of my social life in Groningen. In my first week, there was also an international student led introduction week called ESN week, which was another great way to meet people and settle in. One thing to know is that finding accommodation is quite challenging in Groningen, so make sure to start looking early.
At the University of Groningen, the academic year runs on a block system rather than semesters, which means you study modules in shorter, more intensive periods. At first, I found the pace intense, as it means you’re switching topics and preparing for assessments with a quick turnaround, but I ended up really liking it. It kept me more focused and engaged and allowed me to explore a much broader range of modules. Exams normally required me to memorise lots of information, but I also had some open book essay style exams. I took modules from outside the usual scope of my degree at Southampton, for example on journalism, cultural theory, and world literature. I have definitely been introduced to more writers and perspectives I might not have encountered otherwise. The university leaves you responsible for your own timetable, so I would definitely recommend double checking that you have no clashes, and make sure to sign up on time for your seminars to avoid this.
Once I got the hang of it, biking became one of my favourite things about living in Groningen. It made the city feel smaller, more accessible, and made getting places so much more fun. It also helped me feel more part of Dutch life and allowed me to explore green spaces and countryside outside the city.
Looking back, this year challenged me in ways I didn’t fully expect. There were ups and downs, moments of homesickness and exam stress, and it did take me a while to settle in. But overall, it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.