Student review [#20331]
for Psychology
at University of Groningen - RUG
Groningen, The Netherlands
After studying here for over a year, I believe I can precisely pen my experience down so others can benefit from it.
To begin with, the professors are well-versed in their fields. They are also passionate and knowledgeable. Though I will not lie, there are some hiccups. On some rare occasions, professors tend to just read off the slides rather than to explain them properly. Additionally, since most of our lectures went online due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, professors also lost some enthusiasm. In contrast, other professors bring new information and ways of teaching. There are both highs and lows.
One of the other prominent aspects of this University, and in fact, the city, is the constant social interaction and diversity. With merely 200,000 (approx.) people, students run into each other all the time! Especially, if you are based in central Groningen. Additionally, this place is thoroughly multi-cultural and very diverse.
There is no way to sugar-coat this; the housing here is terrible. There appear to be more students than student accommodations. At the beginning of almost every academic year, new students are found homeless for the initial time period. And what’s worse is that the University does not attend to such students. Finding a roof over your head as an international student is even worse and some locations are predominantly for the Dutch-speaking. The rent will also rinse your bank account (mainly for internationals). You have to be eyes-wide alert and quick when looking for a place to stay.
Groningen is also very accessible and convenient. There are supermarkets in every single nook and corner plus the city centre has several restaurants and cute cafes.
The architecture here is wonderful. The diva of all, the Academic Building, is properly European with a very Hogwarts aura. But you will also find more recently constructed buildings like the Zernike campus. The buildings attend to all your tastes and choices. Additionally, every faculty has a canteen and reading rooms. And you have access to all the faculties. So even if you are a Sociology student who loves the Science and Engineering department, you can go study there every day!
All in all, sure the University has some faults and fallacies, but I have had a thrilling experience so far and would definitely recommend this place to newcomers.