Prioritizing your well-being as an international student in the Netherlands
My name is Vuslat, and I’m currently doing my master’s in English Literature and Culture at Leiden University. For the past year, I’ve also been working as a student assistant to the Student Well-being Officer at the Faculty of Humanities. In this blog, I wanted to share some tips with you on how to improve your well-being, particularly in relation to Dutch culture. Read on to understand what I mean by that!
Tip #1: Embody certain Dutch concepts such as ‘niksen’ and ‘uitwaaien’
‘Niksen’ is the Dutch verb for ‘doing nothing,’ and it can actually help us do more. One of my favorite ways to practice ‘niksen’ is to have my morning cup of tea while looking outside my window and watching people go about their daily lives. I don’t pick up my phone, check my emails, or plan my day, because all of that comes later. ‘Niksen’ comes first. This simple act helps me ground myself and stay in the present moment. I notice that whenever I practice ‘niksen,’ I am able to better show up for the day ahead.
Speaking of staying grounded, ‘uitwaaien’ is another (very simple) Dutch practice that can help you achieve this. ‘Uitwaaien’ is the practice of going outside and feeling the wind blowing against your body. Try this simple act and feel all your worries wash away. You can practice ‘uitwaaien’ at the beach, park, or simply at any outdoor location. All you need is wind, and the Netherlands has plenty of that!
Tip #2: Go on walks
Something you can easily combine ‘uitwaaien’ with is going on walks. I started going on walks about a year ago, and it has drastically improved my mental health. I would encourage you to take advantage of the beautiful parks that the land of tulips and windmills has to offer. If you live in Leiden, like me, then you should check out my favorite park: Singelpark. This park runs all around the city and was built and is being maintained by the residents of Leiden. How cool is that?
Tip #3: Socialize
Grab a cup of coffee with a friend, sign up to an event or workshop, or strike up a conversation with a stranger. I’ve noticed that all of these things make me feel better about myself and I feel more energized after I do them. One way the Dutch socialize is through ‘borrels,’ which are basically informal social gatherings with friends or colleagues. If you’ve ever attended a ‘borrel,’ you’ll know that a big part are the snacks, also known as ‘borrelhapjes’. My favorite ones are ‘bitterballen’, ‘kroketten’ and small blocks of ‘kaas’ (cheese). What are some of your favorite ‘borrelhapjes’?
Tip #4: Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is SO important. This is true for work or school related responsibilities (like setting a boundary to do no work during the weekends), but also social things. Remember: saying ‘no’ to something means saying ‘yes’ to something else. For example, if you say ‘no’ to a ‘borrel’ with your colleagues, you may be saying ‘yes’ to a cozy night in, which will help you better show up for yourself and for others in the long run. I'm sure your colleagues would understand if you were to miss a ‘borrel.’ After all, work-life balance is prioritized in the Netherlands.
And with that, we’ve come to the end of my blog. I hope you’ve found these tips useful, and that you can incorporate them into your life. Taking small actions every day for your well-being can be an immense help in the long run. And please remember that if you are struggling, reach out to someone. I’m certain that your university has people and resources in place to support you, such as study advisors, student psychologists and free e-health courses. Check out Leiden University’s Student Well-being Roadmap. You are not alone, and you got this!
Below, you can see a photo of me and my lovely colleagues:
