How do cultural norms shape international students’ experiences?

International students at Hanze say cultural sensitivity plays a defining role in how they experience university life, shaping everything from friendships to classroom communication.

‘I don’t recall anything being perceived negatively’, says Navod Daks, who grew up in Sri Lanka and moved to the Netherlands to study Electrical Engineering. He quickly noticed that everyday habits did not always translate across cultures. ‘As a child I was taught to serve food to elders first. But when I started dining with people here, everyone just served themselves on a first come first served basis. It was something really uncommon for me.’

The difference did not create conflict, but it made him aware of how invisible cultural norms can be until they change. The tone of voice, he adds, is another frequent source of misunderstanding. ‘Someone could speak in a normal tone but be perceived differently by the listener. I try to express my emotions clearly so people don’t have to guess how I feel.’

‘He rejected the tea because I used the wrong hand’

Navod recalls a moment abroad that showed him how small gestures can carry deep cultural meaning. While living in the Middle East, he once served tea to a friend using his left hand. ‘He rejected it and explained that in his culture the left hand is considered unclean. That’s when I realized cultural sensitivity can prevent awkward situations.’

When misunderstandings happen, he prefers reflection before reaction. ‘I think about what went wrong and then talk it out and apologise if needed.’ He believes university life already helps students adapt to local norms, particularly the direct communication style common in the Netherlands, but he says more preparation would still help. ‘Future students should be made aware of cultural differences before they arrive.’ For more sensitive students, the cultural shock you encounter when living in the Netherlands can be quite harsh and give them a wrong start in this country.

Ralph’s Asian appearance leads many to assume he is from just one specific background

Ralph, a physiotherapy student who grew up in several countries such as Singapore and Poland says communication differences have often led others to misread him. ‘I find it difficult to break down my internal thought process into a sequence that makes sense to others’, he explains. ‘That can make people misunderstand my level of insight.’

For Ralph, cultural perception is closely tied to identity. His Asian appearance leads many to assume he is from just one specific background, he often faces incorrect assumptions. ‘Usually it’s stereotypes based on my looks. People don’t know I’ve lived in different countries, so they make wrong assumptions about everything.’

These experiences have affected his social life. ‘I’ve started distancing myself in class and don’t start conversations anymore’, he says. ‘It has made me less social because my emotions have been consuming me.’ Questions about where he is from can also feel complicated. ‘My background is mixed, so it sometimes confuses people or surprises them. It even made me hate that question.’

Most misunderstandings happen during informal conversations

Abdullah, another physiotherapy student, shares a different experience, one shaped by language. In his culture, he often calls friends habibi, a friendly expression meaning my love. On campus, the phrase caused confusion. ‘A friend reacted by saying it sounded romantic. That surprised me because for me it’s purely friendly’, he says. ‘It showed me how easily everyday expressions can be misunderstood in another cultural context.’

Abdullah says informal conversations are where misunderstandings happen most. ‘I naturally communicate in a warm and open way, but sometimes people interpret it differently than I intend’, he explains. Discussions about culture can also shift unexpectedly. ‘Sometimes the focus moves to my religion even when I’m talking about cultural differences. Things like these don’t make it easy to connect.’

Despite this, he finds that explanation usually improves things. ‘People respond positively once they understand the context. They become more curious and open.’ Still, he notices how strong stereotypes can be. ‘Some people have fixed ideas about how I think or live without knowing my experience.’

‘Understanding small differences in habits or expectations can really change how people see each other’

Unlike Ralph, Abdullah says these moments have not made him feel excluded, though they do make him more aware of being different. ‘That feeling comes more from within than from how others treat me’, he says. ‘Living in a multicultural society has helped me adapt and feel comfortable.’

Navod believes that greater cultural awareness could make everyday interactions on campus smoother. ‘Understanding small differences in habits or expectations can really change how people see each other.’ According to him, recognising these nuances helps prevent misunderstandings before they even arise and allows students to interpret each other’s behaviour with more patience and openness. ‘When people take time to learn about customs outside their own experience, it becomes easier to build trust and communicate without unnecessary tension.’

For privacy reasons Ralph and Abdullah prefer not to mentioned by their full name.

Photo: Navod Daks (photographer: Hristina Petrova)