How do Hanze students experience the lockdown in the Netherlands? We interviewed international students from different countries and asked them how they feel about the situation. We start this series with Irish student Amelia Hennigan, who decided to go back to her home country.
‘I’m a first-year International Communication student at Hanze. Before the Corona virus, I spent a lot of time meeting with friends and working in libraries or cafes, as I lived in the city center. But everything changed now. After the Dutch government decided to shut down universities, clubs, schools and pretty much all public places, I decided to go back to Ireland. So now I am back home, in the country side. I am staying in most of the time, doing all my university work from home. I only go out if I need to get food, or maybe for a walk. All my friends here are doing the same, so I only see my immediate family. I am social distancing from everyone as much as I can.’
I have no excuses because I can’t leave the house so I end up just studying the majority of the time
‘Online studying is different and takes some time to get used to. It’s a lot easier not to study, because of the online set-up. When I had seminars and lectures to go to, I would make an effort. It’s easier to miss the online classes, because you don’t see anyone anyway, but I’m trying harder lately and I think I just need to get used to it. ‘
‘To stay motivated I tell myself: I have no excuses because I can’t leave the house so I end up just studying the majority of the time.’
‘Right now, I am working on a project video as a new hobby… I know, that’s for the university as well, but I gained more interest in it and have a lot time to think and come up with cool ideas.’
‘If I would have to describe the whole situation in one word it is definitely: “Boring.”’
