A new program, a new world: ESN Family program

Being an international student, there’s a big chance that you live in an international student
house. You eat breakfast with internationals, go to the library with fellow international
students, eat a foreign dinner with internationals and at night go to an ESN international party.

Of course these are the perfect opportunities for meeting people from other countries and
learning something about other cultures: the main goal of studying abroad. But what about the country where you chose to study: the Netherlands? How many Dutch people have you got to know well? How many Dutch customs –except for biking, of course- have you yet turned into one of your own?

If you answered ‘a lot’ to these questions; if you have more Dutch than international
friends: you’re a big, big exception. Most of you will live in a very international, though
pretty un-Dutch world. Maybe not because you chose to, but in an international student-
oriented city as Groningen it’s just way easier to get to know the international way of life, as
opposed to the Dutch way. And there’s not necessarily something wrong with that, of course.

But for those of you that have come to Groningen to get a full immersion in Dutch culture,
this might be a bit of a disappointment. Buuuut of course ESN Groningen is here for you to avoid such disappointments! To prevent you guys from going home without any firsthand knowledge about or experience with Dutch customs and culture, ESN decided to run the Family Program. This genius program matches an international student to a Dutch family, so they can spend a weekend together at the family’s place. You will eat Dutch food, at Dutch times; maybe play Dutch sports, Dutch games, or listen to Dutch music; and experience Dutch family life all together. Maybe you’ll even find the Dutch family you’ve (obviously) always wanted.

Sounds interesting? Then check out this page to find more information or to apply directly: http://esn-groningen.nl/content/esn-family-program. Experience the Netherlands from a Dutch point of view!

Yvonne