Every year, international students find their way to Nijmegen – either as degree-seeking or exchange students at Radboud University. This year, Vox asked some of them to make this-or-that choices for their upcoming study year.

Ellen Moore (23) from Ireland is starting her master’s in Biomedical Science this September. For Moore, this is her first time studying abroad for a full degree – but she has done a shorter exchange before.

Living in Nijmegen or commuting to the city?

‘I will be living in Nijmegen. I was lucky enough to get a place at Vossenveld. It is a bit far, but better than having no housing.’

Lessons at 8:30 in the morning or at 8:30 in the evening?

‘Definitely a lesson at 8:30 in the morning. I am a morning person and, as a scientist, I don’t have problems with early mornings.’

Finishing your study as fast as possible or taking your time with it?

‘I think there should be a middle way. I aim to not draw the study out very long, but I also want to enjoy student life and social activities.’

Making a lot of Dutch friends or sticking with other international students?

‘Both. I think making friends with other internationals is easier, but I don’t mind finding Dutch friends.’

Going to the gym or out for a drink after your classes?

‘I think both are nice, but I have to go with doing sports after classes. Despite being Irish, I am not a big drinker.’

Lauren Williamson from the UK has moved to Nijmegen for a bachelor’s in English Language and Culture. All of Williamson’s friends went abroad this year, the 20-year-old student says: ‘I think this is a good chance for me to make new friends.’

Radboud: your first or second choice of university?

‘Radboud is my first choice. I checked out other Dutch universities and this programme was my favourite out of all of them.’

Living in a student complex or in a private studio?

‘I currently live with 15 hall mates at Hoogeveldt and I think I will aim to live with hall mates or roommates during my entire study. I think that is part of the student experience after all.’

Cooking for yourself or ordering in?

‘I am not a great cook, but I definitely want to give it a try.’

Biking everywhere or taking the bus?

‘If this were England, I would not bike. But I got a Swapfiets and I plan to cycle a lot. It is the Dutch way.’

The seventeen-year-old Anna Shechkova from Russia is going to be a new International Business Communication student in Nijmegen next semester. Radboud was her first choice of university: ‘I love to chat with people, so I think International Business Communication here is going to be a good fit for me.’

Join a cultural or sports association at Radboud?

‘I think I will first have to look into all the associations during the upcoming week to make a definitive decision about that. I do really like skiing, but I don’t think that that’s going to be possible in Nijmegen – the Netherlands is not exactly known for its mountains.’

Hanging out on campus or in the city centre?

‘On campus. Even though I have not seen much of it yet.’

Renting a bike or buying a bike?

‘I’m renting a bike right now. And even though the introduction week barely started, I have managed to lose it already. There are so many bikes everywhere.’

There are more than 9,000 kilometres between Nijmegen and Jie Yun-Lin’s (21) home country Taiwain. For the upcoming year, the law student is studying for an exchange year in Nijmegen – and would like to learn Dutch while she is here.

Living on campus or in the city?

‘I will be living on campus. I got a room with SSH& and just picked up my keys. I’m really excited to see it for the first time.’

Have a lecture late in the evening or early in the morning?

‘Late in the evening. I already had a look at my study schedule and it looks like I got lucky with that; I’m going to have a lot of lectures in the evening for the upcoming semester.’

Fries or pizza?

‘Dutch fries, of course! I already had some and they were really tasty.’