So far, though, I have noticed some pretty significant cultural differences. They are seemingly small things, but they make a HUGE difference. First of all, the Dutch are not quite as individualistic as Americans. You could not ask for nicer people, but even beyond that everyone goes out of their way to make sure everyone else is doing okay. Regardless of your age or their age, their gender or yours, if they see you looking confused or carrying heavy luggage, they will ask if you need assistance.
They are also very clearly bread lovers. The grocery store nearest my dorm (JUMBO is its name - in all caps) has a full 100 square feet dedicated to breads and similar baked goods. There are then two whole aisles devoted to biscuits, cookies, and crackers. And the CHEESE! You will not find any sliced cheese here. It is all in huge wedges, and it is DELICIOUS. MMmmmmmmmm!
At our welcome meeting last night, we were also introduced to some fascinating differences in the education system. For example, the relationship between professor and student is less formal than in the United States (though of course in the US the level of formality can vary with the professor). For me the most interesting description of the Dutch university system, and Dutch culture in general, was as "feminine." Where as US culture is very "masculine" - favoring intense academic competition, treating academic accolades as markers of status and as a means of achieving a higher social and economic class - Dutch culture is apparently more "feminine," focused of education as a means of personal fulfillment, on compassion, and frankly on being average. Having many friends is a greater mark of character than having good grades. While they apparently grade more harshly, telling even a good friend that you got a good grade is apparently seen as arrogant, and is frowned upon (I will have to keep this in mind and be very careful!). Failing a class is not seen as a catastrophic event, unlike in the US. It simply means your education will take longer.
While I have definitely seen aspects of the cultural compassion that makes Dutch culture "feminine," I am curious to see more of it as I begin classes. I am pleased to find a culture apparently founded upon values that are not held as highly in America.
Class schedules are VERY different. Where at UN, I have been used to a fairly regular block schedule, my classes here are a bit...sporadic. I only have class once a week, in most cases. They are all 2 hours long. My Gender Studies class starts a few weeks into the semester. My History of Political Culture class (don't know what it means, but our textbook is on the French Revolution) begins the semester with a lecture, but a couple weeks in adds a seminar, and then a couple more weeks later drops the lecture. It is rather confusing. I'll have to keep a close eye on my schedule. We're also apparently expected to study for about 40 hours a week. Right...
Currently, my schedule is:
Tuesdays:
9-11am - History of Political Culture Lecture
11am-1pm - International Human Rights Protection
Wednesdays:
(Starting the 23rd rather than 16th) 4-6pm - History of Political Culture Seminar
Fridays:
11am-1pm - Scandinavian Literature from 1900
Should be interesting!
Finally, I could NOT help posting more pictures of the boathouses, especially since the weather yesterday was so lovely. Cold, yes, but sunny.
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| One of the more modern ones. I quite like it. |
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| I am attempting to show that this is a three-story boat house. I am impressed. |
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| This is the fine arts center in the city. |
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| Being a European arts center, it is of course required to have certain oddities. The flag is metal and an architectural feature, not simply decoration. |
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| And THIS is a tour coming through next week. I'm tempted to buy tickets to The National - not even 30 euros! - but I still have to think about it. They're not my FAVORITE favorite band, so we'll see. |
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| Remember the picture of that empty square I showed you on my last post? Yeah, not empty any more. There were markets going on in every square around the city yesterday. This was the clothing market. The square I photographed the other day was full of stalls for fresh fish, produce, and bread - staples of the Dutch diet. Apparently Germans drive in to Groningen every Saturday to partake of their excellent fish markets. I HAVE to be present for this. |
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| The main academic building. Simply more proof that this city was designed for bicycles. The bike parking lot extended farther even than this in both directions. |
