What students say

"Hi! I'm Oona and I'm a 20-year-old girl from Finland. I come from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and I'm the first student from there to study Applied Gerontology at Windesheim. It has been quite the ride, but all in all it has been a positive experience. There's always a first time for everything and I think my stay here really gave a good kick-start for the cooperation of Seinäjoki and Windesheim!

Language as a challenge
I studied several courses like case managing and Dutch language. The teachers were professional and I have to thank them for teaching in English. I believe it has been as challenging for them as for me to study in English. I did my 4-week practical training in Het Zonnehuis in the department 't Loo in Beekbergen. It was positively challenging to be working with people who might not speak English. The practical training was very nice. Mostly I learned some language and saw different ways of basic care than what I'm used to.

Not just studying
My stay hasn't been only studying, it has also included travelling around the country and seeing things that are typically Dutch. But I’ve also learned it's much more than windmills and wooden shoes. The people here are so nice and I've felt very welcome from the first day. I made so many new great friends! I'm in love with the Netherlands and I've spent the time of my life here.”

I always feel supported here. The International Office, the group of mentors from SUN and my teachers from Applied Gerontology make that I never feel lost. This University should feel really proud for the hospitality they give us. Entrepreneurship and Innovation is giving me the opportunity to do what I was missing in Portugal: to create and innovate for elderly people! It’s an awesome opportunity to gain extra skills! After this, I hope that my experience will inspire my fellow students in Portugal to join the Exchange Programme at Windesheim. Besides the personal development and the awesome experience of Erasmus, Iam getting the opportunity to grow as a future professional in Gerontology. Without any doubt: this was the best decision I made.

In love with Zwolle
For me it´s an unforgettable adventure because it means living in a completely different culture. Before I came here, I expected this would be an awesome experience, but I never thought I would fall in love with this city. And to live in a student’s dormitory allows me to be in constantly contact with a huge variety of cultures. It’s impossible to feel alone here!
In the first week I bought a bicycle because I experienced it is impossible to move in the Netherlands without a bicycle. And I like it: besides from being a friendly transportation, it’s healthy, fun and gives me a feeling of freedom. Getting lost in the city is fun and almost happens by purpose. Living in the Netherlands teaches me to ´think out of the box´. I think there are less differences here because of age, color of skin and between men and women. And Learning Dutch? It’s fun but also a tough challenge!

Chips, cheese and stroopwafels
I never saw anyone selling fried chips in the street before. And here you don’t have just fried chips, you can eat them with all kind of sauces! Absolutely delicious! Another thing I like is to go to the market and eat free cheese. Also important: someone should open a shop in Portugal with all kind of stroopwafels!

When the programme is finished I really hope to come back and learn even more. And of course to meet again all the people. But I don’t want to say goodbye yet!