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I’m Younjung from South Korea and I study as a master’s student in Sustainable Development programme in the track of Energy and Materials. I did my Bachelor’s in energy resources engineering and business, and Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ was fit for me to deal with socio-economic topics related to energy and materials production industry.

Why did you decide to study here?

I am the kind of person who is full of curiosity to always seek adventurous and something new! I found out that Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ offers many programmes in English and after a research I did on Dutch culture and society I decided to apply here. Also, from the perspective of the applicant who wanted to study sustainability, Netherlands was absolutely great place to apply the knowledge we learn in school to real life more easily and see directly what is going on regarding sustainability issues.

How does it differ from (student) life back home?

The biggest difference was definitely the relationship between students and professors. Students call the first names of all teaching staff, say hello, and talk to each other freely, not in a hierarchical manner but more like friends! Students are also more active throughout the lectures and seminars asking questions and participating in discussion.  

For the other parts, I have discovered that the fastest way of transportation is usually biking. I have also became a serious cheese lover after moving here, since the prices are low and everything tastes so good. Also, in the Netherlands everything is so accessible! You can go almost everywhere and do whatever you want at any hour of the day. You can order delivery or fried chicken and beer at 01.00 a.m. if you want to and don’t need to always make an appointment with bank or hospital.

What’s one thing you wish you knew before studying in the Netherlands/Utrecht?

It surely took me some time to get used to the Dutch weather that is often rainy and grey, but luckily has its good days as well! When it comes to moving abroad to an unfamiliar place, I would recommend everyone to keep an open mind when coming across new and sometimes even uncomfortable things. I’ve learned a lot about myself and also grown during the first semester here. It has taught me skills to manage with ‘the unfamiliar’ and to live in the moment!

Your favourite things about Utrecht/being an international student?

Definitely buying cheese in open-market on Saturday, cycling around other cities such as Amersfoort and Bunnik, attending social events like Taste Before Waste and Eet Mee as a participant or volunteer, finding new tiny and cozy local cafes and decorating my balcony with pretty bottles of beer and wine.

Favourite café/bar/restaurant/park/place etc.

My favourite park is the ‘Weide tot Vermaeck’ in Bunnik near the Science Park. You can spend time in the park and once you get hungry you can visit the cute pancake house called Theehuis Rhijnauwen or grab a drink in a bar at the Stayokay Hostel Bunnik. In the city center I often find myself in Village Coffee and Music, where the coffee is delicious and the vibe is good! For hidden gems, in Zeist where I live at the moment you can find cafes such as Het broodlokkal B.V. and De Bio Basis.