2 H/LINK • 23

the Queen in the Classroom The Hague University looked a lot like a CSI lab in late August as the school hosted the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS), a four-day conference for Crime Scene Investigators. story René Rector • image Quintin

van der Blonk

The ceremonial high point of

the conference was a visit from

Queen Beatrix, who, together

with an entourage, visited the

conference on the last day,

spoke with the scientists about

their results and attended

the final keynote speech. The

Hague University hosted the

conference on behalf of the

Dutch Forensic Institute, which

organised the event.•

Spotlight

23 • H/LINK 3

First timersThe magazine you are holding in your hands right now is pretty

unique. It is the first all English magazine ever released for the

whole of The Hague University of Applied Sciences. It is more or

less coincidental that the main topic is the internationalisation

policy at THU.

Why now? Why the heck would you wait so long to do your first

all English issue? Why not twenty-something years ago? Well, if

you ask around, you’ll find out that there were a lot less foreign

students back then, and even now, you are outnumbered ten to

one at least by Dutch speakers.

But I think it’s not only the numbers that count here. I like the

explanation I heard from James Kennedy, an American professor of

Dutch culture, a while ago. The Dutch appear to have a love-hate

relationship with internationalisation. As you might have noticed,

Dutch politics are obsessed with issues related to the mixing of

cultures, whether it is about headscarves or about Europe and the

euro. The professor explained it this way: the Dutch tend to break

with their past, rather than be proud of their heritage. One of the

major political discussions ten years ago was about the true face of

Dutch culture, since nobody knows what that is exactly (except for

clogs and tulips). Continuing our history as salesmen (in the Gold-

en Age, when we were also ‘sails men’), Dutchies do go abroad and

speak their languages well, but are, on the flip side, xenophobic.

Without proper knowledge of our own past, everything from out

there is a bit threatening. Not because it’s from out there, but be-

cause the Dutch have no clue on what they can or should be proud

of. (Clogs and tulips are usually considered stupid and touristy)

The result is ambivalence when it comes to internationalisation.

Yes, we want to internationalise, but we don’t want to lose our-

selves in it, whatever ‘ourselves’ might be.

But not in this special issue of Link. We are releas-

ing two of these English-language specials this

year: one in September and one in February. To

be kept up to date with what’s going on at THU

in the meantime, you might want to tune in to

our website: link-en.hhs.nl, or to keep in

touch via facebook.com/thulinkonline.

And for the record: we are proud of it.

René Rector

Editor-in-chief

EditorialContent6 how to survive your first

year Second year students share their experiences from their first year. And they give practical tips for a good start.

10 thU students required to become world citizens Including a quiz: how internationally competent are you?

18 Europe vs the netherlands The Netherlands went to the polls on 12 September, but parliamentary power in the country is crumbling.

16 Student Associations A-Z

20 Find your way around the THU maze

Columns

4 Picture this: your vacation

5 On the line with… Rob – the boss - Brons

9 Self-image: Hans Hoekstra

13 Legal briefs

17 Melting pot: Turkish cigars

22 Gems: get cultural tips, learn about Prince’s day and win a comic

Schoolstraat 212511 AW Den Haag

070 - 3 65 73 06www.stanley-livingstone.nl

link is published and produced by the communication & marketing department at the hague university. editors room: ovaal 1.06 address po Box 13336, 2501 eh the hague email: [email protected] f: 070 445 7554 i: link.hhs.nl editors dieuwke de Boer (070 445 8851), rené rector (070 445 8813, editor-in-chief), martine seijffert (070 445 8814), youri van vliet (070 445 8796) student editors Qushal Bansraj, ilse van Beest, esther Bliek, martin cok, patty elbersen, ruurd de graaf, can guneyli, tim de Jong, martina Koleva, simone Krouwer, paul van leeuwen, michael rizkalla, thalita da silva lingers staff charlotte fritschy, dave van ginhoven, christin zitter comic margreet de heer images mieke Barendse, Quintin van der Blonk, david van dam, Kim eijkelhof, Bas Kijzers, anke nobel design mustafa Özbek, Josean the pie print oBt bv, the hague advertisement Bureau nassau, achterom 100c, hoorn po Box 4130, 1620 hc hoorn e: [email protected] t: 020-623 0905 f: 020-639 0846 i: www.bureaunassau.nl issn 2210-7983 copyright it is not allowed to copy articles of images without permission of the editors. link is published monthly in dutch and twice a year in english. the next dutch release is on october 4. the next english special is on february 14.

AB

OU

T L

INk

4 H/LINK • 23

In pictures

At home, on the beach, or off on adventureWhen do we take the most pictures? On vacation, of

course. The number of submissions this summer was,

as a result, overwhelming. What were you up to all

summer? One student may be happy with his or her

well-deserved rest while another takes pictures of all

the fun they’re having. Sunsets are also popular, and

a large number of the submissions came from people

who went looking for adventure. In order:

[1] Lisa Diericks (International Communication

Management), [2] Olivia Flasch (International and

European Law), [3] David Moellers (European

Studies), [4] Tobias Büschel (International Business

and Management Studies), [5] Petra Marinova

(International Business and Management Studies),

[6] Sebastiaan Rijntjes (International Business and

Management Studies), [7] Arin Sen (International

Communication Management), [8] Alina Naimovic

(International Business and Management Studies),

[9] Marie Bantje (International Communication

Management)

The 50 euro prize goes to Olivia Flasch, because we

think a great vacation shot freezes a magic moment

and captures it in just a fraction of a second.

[1]

[2]

[3] [4]

[5]

Win 50 eurosThe start of a new school year comes

with a lot of festivities. What is your favorite party picture?

Send that one to [email protected] by e-mail. Please tell us who’s on the picture, what can be seen and who you are.

Send in your picture before october 25. If your picture is winning, you’ll be

rewarded with 50 euro’s.

23 • H/LINK 5

On the line withRob – the boss – Brons

‘Look around and make friends’

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

Rob Brons has been The Hague University of Applied Sciences’ ‘big boss’ or, in other words, Chairman of the Executive Board, since March 2010. One of his tasks is to ensure that international students at The Hague University of Applied Sciences can study under the best possible conditions. Read on for an introduction. story Youri van Vliet •

image Mieke Barendse

What did you want to become when you were ten?I can’t remember actually having dreams for the future at that

age. That may have something to do with the limited prospects

I thought were open to me then. We lived in a working-class

neighbourhood, where my father was a postman and my mother

kept house. In those days you weren’t expected to stray far from

where you grew up, career-wise.

Were you the first in your family to attend university? Yes. I had never set foot inside a university before then. I can still

see the lecture hall now, all 1,200 seats – it was enormous! Be-

cause of my background I really empathise with first-generation

students at this institution.

How important are international students to The Hague Univer-sity of Applied Sciences?These days, almost everyone goes to university, but it’s a lot less

common to do a study programme abroad. You could say that the

students who come here from abroad all have an enterprising

spirit and provide a real impetus in terms of quality. We are hop-

ing to double the share of international students here in future, to

twenty percent.

Do you have any advice for international students?Take the time to look around you and make friends. Dare to get

lost! You’ll be sure to find people who will be happy to help you.

Over 130 countries are represented in our international student

body, so when you return home you’ll be part of a network that

spans the entire globe. Also, the best way to get your bearings

in a strange city is to hop on your bike on a Sunday morning and

explore while the rest of its inhabitants are still asleep! •

6 H/LINK • 23

Survival Guide

How to survive yOUr firsT year

The time has come. Your studies are starting.

To help you get into the swing of things, your

predecessors – now starting their second year, took

some time to look back on their experiences last

year and to give you some tips that will help you

get off to a good start. Combine this with the advice

offered by your teachers and your Educational

Career Supervisor and you will have your own

survival guide. story Dieuwke de Boer and Martine Seijffert • images

Bas kijzers

‘i needed re-sit exams to pass my first semester’

‘I underestimated the programme at first. If I had to read twenty

pages I thought, “I’ll do that quickly,” but, all of a sudden, every-

thing seemed to be written in really difficult English. It’s a lot of

work and you can’t compare it to high school, where everything

is broken down for you. Here, you get a module guide and get to

work. For example: I had to make a mind map, but I didn’t know

what that was and I made a really nice summary instead. I didn’t

know yet that you can always e-mail a teacher with a question and

get an answer. I needed re-sit exams to pass the first semester. If

you want to avoid that, you really have to make a schedule for eve-

rything you have to do. If you plan too flexibly, you will find room

to put things off. I was a last-minute student, but now I’ve turned

into a day-before person.’

Thalita da silva lingers (20)in her second year of european studies (english stream)

23 • H/LINK 7

from day oneEverything is new. It’s tempting to take your time to

make the adjustment slowly, but you cannot afford

to fall behind, because it can be difficult to catch up.

If you don’t want to be part of the five per cent of stu-

dents who drop out in December, make sure that, from

day one, you attend your classes, even if attendance

is not mandatory. Be prepared to work hard.

Time managementCareful planning can help you avoid procrastination, if

you are able to make a plan and stick to it. Try schedul-

ing things backwards: identify deadlines and exam

dates and work backwards to find a good starting point

for preparations. Be sure to include any jobs, sports, so-

cial activities, and, if necessary, time for sleeping in your

agenda. Then you can easily identify the bottlenecks, as

well as the quiet periods. Keep in mind that working in

project groups tends to gobble up a lot of time.

Know what is expectedWhen you start studying, there is often a gap be-

tween what you were used to at your old school and

How to survive yOUr firsT year

what will be expected of you in Higher Professional

Education (HBO). That’s why it is essential that you

read your course descriptions and instructions care-

fully. Ask your teachers what you will have to know

and what you will have to be able to do to succeed in a

course. And, if there are practice tests, do them: they

help you get a sense of the level.

Get to know each otherNaturally, you will have time in the introduction pe-

riod to get to know your classmates, but it can be very

useful and fun to continue participating in activities

where you can meet more of your fellow students. If

you are ‘socially integrated,’ you will feel more com-

fortable, and that, in turn, is good for your academic

performance. Find out if your study programme has a

club or a student association, for example.

‘i realized i wasn’t happy with studying iBMs’

‘After my last year of high school in China, I chose IBMS. I chose to

study abroad because I wanted to learn the English language and

try something different. My mother did her Master in Economics

and said IBMS would be very useful for me in the future. I just

wanted to study abroad. Now I know that was totally wrong. After

the Christmas holidays, I realized I wasn’t happy with study-

ing IBMS, but I didn’t know what to do about it. First I was busy

solving other problems: I had to find a room, get a bankcard and

register for exams. In my second term I went to a student coun-

sellor. The student counsellor gave me more information about

other programmes and I also talked to the dean of Process & Food

Technology. I start with this programme in September. If I could do

it over, I would have made up my mind earlier.’

Jasmine sun (21)studied international business and Management studies last

year, starts studying Process & food Technology this year

8 H/LINK • 23

seek out study buddiesNot everyone is cut out for sitting at home, alone, and studying in a

disciplined and concentrated manner. Studying together can help.

You can go through assignments, help one another when you don’t

understand something, and brainstorm. As an added benefit, it pro-

vides incentive to study and social checks and balances (you’ll have

someone demanding to know, ‘where were you?’ if you don’t show up

to study).

Talk out your doubtsA lot of first-year students feel insecure. Can I handle this? Am I in the

right place? You might not think it’s tough or cool, but it is certainly

smart to talk about your doubts. Visit your Educational Career Super-

visor (ECS), mentor or tutor. Together, you can find out if your expecta-

tions for your study programme are correct and, if necessary, you can

get help in switching to another study. Your ECS can help you, even if

your insecurities are about your own capabilities or about a personal

situation. They can give you advice and, if needed, refer you to sup-

port courses, the career centre, or the student counsellor or dean.

Discover your learning styleDo you like working with diagrams and summaries, or is one read-

through enough for you to understand the material? Do you want a

teacher to tell you exactly what you need to know, or do you seek out

your own information and apply it? It is useful to know your learning

style. You can find out by doing an online learning style test (ask your

ECS for help). Then you’ll know your strengths and weaknesses and it

will help you in your development. Experiment and find the working

style that suits you best.

buy those booksThey’re expensive, and you don’t know yet what they’re worth to you,

but it is still smart to buy your schoolbooks right away, at least for the

first period. After that, you can always check around to see if you can

borrow or copy other books. Make sure you have everything you need

at the start of term so you can get right to work and get the most out of

the material. Don’t wait until the last minute and remember: everyone

will need their own copy during exams and are not likely to lend it

out. If you don’t have your own books, you have to depend on other

students, and not everyone appreciates that.

ask questionsYou can expect professionalism and knowledge from your teachers,

but don’t think that they are just going to tell you everything. Forget

that passive approach. Get curious and critical. Dare to ask questions

and tell your teachers what you really want to know. And, if you don’t

understand something, point it out.

language and MathEnglish and mathematics can be an issue. The level at many high

schools does not quite match the level at HBO. If you know that

language is your weak point, or that you have a tough time with math,

get on top of it and ask for support, because help is available and can

save you from stress and study delays. You can request additional les-

sons or arrange a tutor. Keep in mind that reading, especially (quality)

newspapers along side your schoolbooks will help with your language

development. •

‘Being friendly makes your life easier’

‘At my first lecture I wondered: “Am I supposed to listen or copy

everything down?” Halfway through, the teacher said we could

find the PowerPoint presentation on Blackboard. Now I just

listen closely and I only write down the important things that the

teacher says. That helps me to make my summaries. In my books,

I label the things I think are important and I copy those over on

paper. Then I exchange summaries with my classmates. That is

refreshing. Being friendly makes your life easier because you have

to work in groups a lot. Right before an exam, I go through all

the PowerPoints with a friend, then we quiz each other. We even

exchange our essays. I have learned not to put off writing essays,

because when you do, before you know it, you’ll have to do every-

thing at once: study for exams while writing essays.’

filmon Mulugheta (28)in his second year of international

Public Management

23 • H/LINK 9

Every month in Link, one of the ‘Academy Teachers of the Year’ presents themself through a self-drawn picture. So how does this picture represents their way of teaching?

Self-image

‘In my classes I put myself in the manager’s seat’

So what do we see in the picture?I have put myself on top of a

soap box. As in ‘soap boxing’ or

‘giving an impromptu speech’

like people did in the old days.

Does that mean that I improvise

while teaching? It may seem

that way. I’m up there, present-

ing the tale that I want to tell.

What I aim for is chemistry in

the class room. That is what the

soap bubbles in my drawing

stand for. I mostly wear a suit.

After all, IBMS is a manage-

ment studies program. The

pink shirts have become my

trademark. The pointing finger

is not to patronize but more

a signal that what I’m saying

now should be taken good

notice of.

IBMS is a fully English-taught program. How is it to be lectur-ing in English?For me it was not a big step

since I had been working in

international environments

before I came to THU. That is

also where our students will

find themselves in their profes-

sional careers. What matters

is that every student attains

a good command of Business

English even if they are not na-

tive speakers, which most of our

students indeed aren’t.

You are the 2012 Academy Teacher of the Year at Market-ing & Commerce. Rightly so?To be honest, I had seen it com-

ing. Students had been talking

about it. What really matters is

why a student would give his or

her vote to me. For instance that

I explain matters clearly. But in

the end it is a popularity poll and

one of the reasons that I ended

up winning it may well be that I

am not merely active as lecturer

but also as student mentor and as

Internship Coordinator. Students

will see different sides of me.

How would you then describe these different sides?As a lecturer I am the story

teller, but that is then my way

to bring the business practice

into the classroom. My own pro-

fessional experiences are still

quite useful since I joined HHS

only some six years ago. In my

mentor role I am addressing stu-

dents on a more personal level.

I listen, I provide assistance.

And as Internship Coordinator,

as indeed in the class room, I

put myself in the manager’s

position. ‘Pretty soon you will

be a staff employee reporting

to a manager, so you better get

used to it’. Which means that I

do assist, but I expect them to

self-steer too. •

Hans G. HoekstraLecturer at the Academy of Marketing

age 55Was MarketeerNow lectures B2B Marketing and Strategic ManagementTeaching style the story teller, seemingly impromptu

He is someone who doesn’t mind explaining once again what it’s all about. He brings business practice into the classroom. And he can be recognized easily by the pink shirts that he is wearing. ‘Should I win the Olive Award, then that does not automatically qualify me as the best lecturer,’ says Hans Hoekstra, 2012 Teacher of the Year in the Academy of Marketing & Commerce. story Charlotte

Fritschy • images Mieke Barendse/Hans Hoekstra

10 H/LINK • 23

I n 1993, former United Nations Secretary-General

Boutros Boutros-Gali became the first to refer to

The Hague as the ‘legal capital of the world.’ With

the International Criminal Court, several international

tribunals, the Peace Palace and countless other glo-

bally recognised organisations, The Hague is an inter-

national city. With that in mind, The Hague University

drafted new goals in 2011. The university wants to

measure up to other schools at an international level,

and wants to mould its students into world citizens.

Starting this school year, all Dutch students must earn

at least thirty credit points that have an international

dimension, according to the university’s Internationa-

lisation Policy plan, which goes into effect this year.

‘We have been working on Internationalisation since

Internationalisation

The Hague’s students required to become

WOrlD ciTizeNsAll Dutch students who begin studying at The Hague University this year will be required to incorporate

international components into their studies. Like it or not, they are going to become world citizens.

Why? And what does it mean for international students? story Qushal Bansraj • images Bas kijzers/Shutterstock

23 • H/LINK 11

Internationalisation: Necessity or Hobby?In the past few months, all the academies at THU

have been working hard on plans to implement the

university’s internationalisation policy. THU wants to

create world citizens: people can and will live and work

around the world.

In a world that is getting smaller every day, international

cooperation is more and more important and easier to

achieve than ever before. Higher Education institutions

have many reasons for international collaboration, which

should contribute to the quality of their curricula and give

the institutions an international, socially involved profile.

It gives the institution an edge in the competition for (the

best) international students and it should meet the needs

and wishes of students and staff.

Many managers, students and staff members feel the

need for Internationalisation, but there are also those

who do not think its necessary. It might be important

for European Studies, but is it essential for Education in

Primary Schools or Social Professions? And should it all

be made mandatory?

The debate is starting slowly and the arguments for and

against Internationalisation are rarely brought head to

head with one another.

But what do you think? Participate in this essay contest

from the Lectorate for International Cooperation.

Describe, in a maximum of 1,000 words, what you think

about Internationalisation. Back your arguments up

with researched references or your own experiences.

Remember: it’s an essay. Be convincing and provocative.

Send your essay to Dr Jos Walenkamp (j.h.c.walenkamp@

hhs.nl) by 24 November. The essays will be judged

by a jury including Dr Jos Walenkamp, the Lector for

Internationalisation, René Rector, editor-in-chief of Link,

Susana Menéndez, member of the board of directors, and

Ineke van der Meule, director of the Centre for Lectorates

and Research.

The best essay will be published in Link and rewarded

with an iPad 3. The jury may consider publishing a bundle

of the best essays. All participants will be invited for a

symposium about Internationalisation.

Essay Contest: Win an iPad 3!

2005,’ says Susana Menéndez, the member of the

Board of Directors in charge of Internationalisation,

‘the new policy plan will put it into practice. We aren’t

doing this as a hobby but because we believe that,

especially if you live in the western part of the Nether-

lands, you are going to have international encounters.

Every student who works in this region requires

competencies in working with people from different

cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Because

we want this to influence what we teach and learn,

we have decided to attach thirty ECTS credits.’

Not everyone is enthusiastic about this require-

ment. Lecturer Herre Faber, for example, expressed

his scepticism in his blog on Link online, saying: ‘a

required international internship for my programme,

Human Kinetic Technology? That’s fine for students

who want that and around thirty per cent do, but for

students who want nothing more than to develop pro-

fessional skills it is obviously ridiculous to inconveni-

ence them with this unholy plan. It is an infringement

on a student’s autonomy.’

Menéndez categorically disagrees with this comment.

‘Internationalisation is so much more than traveling or

speaking English. Scientific literature and knowledge

nowadays is often produced or written in English. As

an institute for higher education, we should implement

this international knowledge in our curricula. It will

enrich the content of our study programmes.’The thirty

points will not come at the expense of relevant profes-

sional content, according to Menéndez. ‘It’s not some-

thing extra that will replace existing curricula,’ she

says, ‘You have to integrate the thirty points into the

courses and programme you already have. That way

you add an international dimension to your programme

that helps you to provide a broader framework for

basic knowledge.’ That broader vision is the trademark

of a world citizen, who ‘can function and participate

everywhere.’

For any study programme that expects to be able to

look the other way and let the world citizenship train

pass them by, the Internationalisation plan is binding:

programmes that do not incorporate thirty interna-

tionally themed study points could expect financial

sanctions. However, Menéndez is less firm on this,

saying: ‘We have not worked that out yet, and we

almost never resort to sanctions.’•

12 H/LINK • 23

Not going abroadWhile doing an internship abroad (for a minimum of three months!)

or studying in a foreign country is a fairly obvious way to work on

your cosmopolitan competencies, at the moment, less than one out

of five Dutch students make such a choice. The majority of those

who stay home say that it is not financially viable for them. For

others, having to miss family and friends is a major obstacle. THU

offers students who stay in the Netherlands two alternatives. They

can participate in an English-language minor or semester taught in

an International Classroom (see ‘When will I be affected?’) where at

least 35 per cent of the students are international. Another option is

attending a series of English guest lectures.

When will I be affected?The University is creating International Classrooms by

offering courses where over a third of the students come

from other countries. In such a classroom, Dutch students

learn to work with different cultures and get to practice

their English, but having different cultures in a classroom

does not automatically lead to more internationally

competent students. Teachers must work hard to prevent

bubbles, clusters of students from the same background,

from forming and try to structure classes in such a way

that dialog and interaction takes place between Dutch and

International students.

One question mark that hangs over the international

classroom is whether or not there will be ‘enough’

international students. In 2011, THU had 1,100 international

students. In 2015, the university hopes to have 4,000. In

order to attract those students it would come in handy

to make sure that the current international students are

satisfied and would advise others to enrol here.

Collaborating with foreign institutionsInternationalisation is not something you can do on your own. That is

why THU is looking for ‘high-level collaboration’ with foreign partners.

Within Europe, THU is already working together with around 150

universities and universities of applied sciences. The goal is a strong

expansion of that network in 2012-2013. Recently, a new venture was

started the University of Jaén in Spain, among other things. Beyond

Europe, relationships have been started on every continent. In total,

there are over thirty foreign universities linked to The Hague University.

how international are you? Are you a talented world citizen or an international novice? Answer the questions in this questionnaire of International Communication teacher Nasrat Popal and find out.

1. How much of our communication consists of non-verbal communication?

a. between 30 and 40 per cent b. between 55 and 70 per cent c. between 20 and 30 per cent

2. In which culture it is out of the question to give something to another person with your left hand?

a. Russian culture b. Chinese culture c. Arabic culture

3. In the Netherlands, it is not customary to ask someone about his/her salary and income. Which type of questions should you not ask when you’re in an Islamic country?

a. questions about politics b questions about sexuality c. questions about eating habits

4. In many countries in Asia (and partly in Africa), eye contact is seen as...

a. sign of respect and trust b. sign of being in love with someone c. sign of disrespect and brutality

testing

your

inter-

national

awareness

faQs about iNTerNaTiONalisaTiON

23 • H/LINK 13

International students are dissatisfiedInternational students at THU are positive about the community at

the university, including the people, the diversity, the culture and the

atmosphere, according to a research report on ‘Internationalisation

Policy at THU.’ They are, however, more critical when it comes to the

level of their education, the quality of their teachers and content of

the curricula. Of the 59 European schools that were compared for the

study (including ten other schools in the Netherlands), The Hague

University came in at 58th place. That makes it seem fairly logical

that the university wants to increase the satisfaction of international

students. Steps have already been taken in the area of housing, long

a thorn in the side of the international student. A regular ‘strate-

gic consultation’ between a number of THU directors and Susana

Menéndez has also been created to work on the quality of Internatio-

nalisation. According to Menéndez, ‘the quality of the curriculum and

the forming of the international community are on the agenda. We

are asking ourselves how we, as a university of applied sciences, can

offer international students something extra.’

Who is affected and how?‘At the moment, every study programme is working

out their plans,’ says Menéndez. Academies

are free to decide for themselves how they will

implement the Internationalisation plan. It is likely

that the way you encounter internationalisation

in a Skin Therapy programme will differ from

how it’s done at a Business Management Studies

programme, but the implementation of these

thirty points for all students starting school in

2012 applies to all programmes. However, because

much of the Internationalisation is likely to involve

exchanges, placements and minors that take place

after the first year, students who start this fall are

not likely to notice the new international focus

until the second semester.

Legal briefs

Student’s assumption of extra resits unjustifiedDespite Communication student T. having been granted deferment of an impending binding negative study advice due to a hand injury, the Exam Board refuses to grant him extra resits for the three first-year course subjects he still needs to complete. story Simone krouwer

The factsStudent T. enrolled in the part-time Communications study

programme in February 2010. Two years later, T. had not yet suc-

cessfully completed four mandatory first-year courses, resulting

in a binding negative study advice. The Exam Board granted T.

a grace period of eight weeks because an injury to his right hand

prevented him from taking his exams. In February, T. requested

but was not granted extra resits for three first-year courses. T. was

ultimately issued a binding negative study advice in April 2012

and submitted an appeal against this decision.

The argumentsStudent T. argued that, based on the grace period he had been grant-

ed, he was entitled to extra resits. An injury to his right hand had

prevented him from participating in the next available round of exams

in Media Science and Corporate Communications. The relevant resits

were not offered until after 1 April. His academic career counsellor

had given him the wrong impression that the exams could be moved

forward so that T. would still be able to obtain his first-year certificate.

The counterargumentsThe Exam Board indicated that in his application for deferment

dated 10 January 2012, T. gave the impression that he would be

able to successfully complete the remaining courses in his first-

year programme within eight weeks. He was not granted permis-

sion in February to take his exams at an earlier date, because he

did not satisfy the applicable requirements. T. had not attended all

the lectures and had failed to make use of earlier opportunities to

take the relevant exams.

The judgmentThe Appeals Board stated that the Exam Board was justified in

its refusal to further defer the impending binding negative study

advice and provide extra resit options. Student T. was wrong to as-

sume that deferment of the binding negative study advice would

also automatically provide him fresh opportunities to take exams.

Had T. been given these opportunities, he would still have been

unable to complete at least two of the four subjects on time. The

Appeals Board has therefore decided to reject T.’s appeal.

Do you object to a decision made by the Exam Board? There is no need to leave it at that! Check the rules and regulations on studentportal.hhs.nl/student-facilities/student-counselling-advice/legal-protection-desk.

5. Why do people in most Asian cultures say ‘We’ instead of ‘I’? a. because the word ‘I’ doesn’t exist in their vocabulary b. because they often tend to exaggerate c. because of the collectivist culture they are living in

6. In many countries, the colour black is a sign of sadness and mourning. In which country does the colour white have the same meaning:

a. China b. Brazil c. Norway

7. The Netherlands is best known around the world for its: a. Tulips, wooden shoes (klompen) and windmills b. Red light districts (De Wallen in Amsterdam) c. Coffee shops for soft drugs

The answers can be found on page 24

14 H/LINK • 23

experience

abrOaD does not help

‘It’s expensive.’ ‘I miss my family and

friends.’ ‘But I’m going to start my career

in the Netherlands anyway.’ Dutch

students are not all jumping at the change

to go on exchange or to do an internship

abroad. The Hague University, on the

other hand, would really like to see them

go, because experience abroad should

have added value for them.

story Qushal Bansraj • image Bas kijzers

Internationalisation

23 • H/LINK 15

J os Walenkamp, Lector for International Coop-

eration at The Hague University, has no doubts

about the importance of having every student

develop international competencies during their stud-

ies in one way or another. ‘We are constantly confront-

ed with global problems that can’t be solved at the

national level,’ he says, ‘at the same time, production

chains are no longer national either. Apple products

are designed in America and made in China with

materials that come from Congo. If you want to work

for such a company, you need international competen-

cies.’ (See box on the side).

The idea that a semester in Africa or America would

contribute to this development is popular, but less than

seventeen per cent of Dutch students go on exchange

or work placement abroad. Walenkamp has conducted

research to determine whether or not going abroad

actually helps students develop these much-needed

competencies. The somewhat surprising results were

published in his report: ‘The Future is International.’

Not progressingFor this study, Walenkamp conducted research on two

groups of students from different study programmes:

a test group and a control group. The test group con-

sisted of students who went abroad for an exchange

or an internship and the control group of students

who stayed in the Netherlands. These groups com-

pleted two surveys about language skills, intercul-

tural competencies and their on-going development.

After the first survey, the test group left the country

to go abroad for varying periods of time. The second

survey was completed upon their return. The first

measurement showed that the test group was more

internationally competent than the control group, but

in the second survey, the difference was minimal.

In other words, the students in the test group already

had the international competencies that they should

have developed during their foreign placement, ac-

cording to several policy documents, before they left.

While Walenkamp is a fervent supporter of study pro-

grammes that are structured to make sure your pro-

fessional skills are useful outside the Netherlands, he

concluded in his research that the foreign exchange

or placement – that expensive time far away from

home, friends and family – contributes almost nothing

to your international competencies. It does not make

students more empathetic, tolerant or open-minded.

The test group appeared to have become more cultur-

ally aware and to show more social initiative, over

time, but the same thing happened with the control

group. The students appeared more flexible after a

study abroad, but the difference was very small.

Not worth itExperience abroad is, apparently, not a must for

developing international skills, based on this study.

However, Jos Walenkamp admits that it is not com-

pletely representative because of the low response

rate from bo h groups. The test group is, therefore,

not representative of the whole of THU. After all, it

primarily consisted of students from internationally

oriented study programmes, where you could expect

that students were likely to have an affinity for work-

ing or studying abroad. In the control group were

students who, on the other hand, did not expect to

find happiness abroad.

Not going abroadWalenkamp asked the students who stayed home

about their reasons not to study abroad. The largest

group of students who stayed, around 32 per cent,

said it was not financially viable. A quarter of them

said they did not want to quit their jobs. Not being

able to see family or friends was a major obstacle for

23 per cent of the control group, while many students

saw the English language itself as a deterrent.

It is noteworthy that 18 per cent of those who stayed

said that their study programme does not stimulate

them to go abroad or even makes it more difficult.

‘Some programmes report that they have nothing to

do with the international arena,’ says Walenkamp,

‘they say that their students are going to end up

working in the Netherlands. That is shortsighted.

The workplace is getting more international.

Construction students who work in a construction

company, are going to get international contracts, for

example.’ He acknowledges that it is difficult to real-

ise international opportunities if only a few students

from a programme want to go abroad, noting that,

‘the programme would have to create a special route

for them. That requires adjusting the curriculum and

more teacher supervision.’

Walenkamp has already begun a follow-up to his

study and he has created a University-wide minor

where students prepare for experiences abroad. ‘A

lot more has to be done to facilitate and stimulate

students who go abroad.’ He says, ‘and if they go, it

has to be fruitful. You have prepare carefully, provide

supervision and stimulate reflection.’•

international competenciesInternational competencies

are not only determined by

knowledge. International work

demands a certain attitude,

motivation and specific skills.

Internationalisation expert and

Intercultural communication

teacher Nasrat Popal offers

five core skills that summarise

international competencies:

¡ Being open-minded towards

other people and situations

¡ Being aware of one’s own

culture and habits

¡ Being willing to get to know

and accept other cultures

and habits

¡ Being able to not only see

cultural differences, but to

identify similarities

¡ Being able to face the

unknown without fear

Anyone who has these

capabilities can call themself

internationally competent.

16 H/LINK • 23

Extra Curricular

Are you thinking about joining a student association,

but have no idea what’s out there? This overview

will help you chose the association that suits you

best. story Patty Elbersen and Youri van Vliet • image Mireille Schaap

In addition to the various student associations that

focus on a specific study programme, The Hague and

Delft boast at least twenty other associations you

can join. Some have specific geographical or religious

affiliations, while others cater to sports enthusiasts.

Still others were created primarily for fun and festivi-

ties. The important thing to know is that all of these

student associations hold an ‘open month’ for new

students in The Hague. Numerous events and parties

are organised in September and October, providing a

perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the as-

sociations that appeal to you. The following associa-

tions offer information in English and/or are of special

interest to international students.

asUTHUFounded by African students to help them feel more

at home and offer help with their studies, the African Student Union The Hague University is a pan-African,

non-religious, non-party affiliated, multicultural as-

sociation. One of the association’s aims is to promote

African culture. Visit their Facebook page for more

information.

H.s.c. iNTac van zwijndregtINTAC is an acronym for INTer-Action, and stands for

getting along with different types of people and build-

ing a sense of belonging. The association is known

for its mixers, barbecues, lounges and parties. They

organise all sorts of events, such as an IT weekend,

a sailing weekend, sports events and gala parties.

INTAC opens its doors to international students every

Friday evening with ‘The Pub’, organised by the asso-

ciation’s Pub Crew. Address: Zieken 197-199. intac.nl

interaccessFounded by and for the international students of

The Hague, InterAccess organises activities such

as lectures with prominent guest speakers, discus-

sion seminars, presentations, festivals and trips.

Various excursions, bicycle tours and other outings,

poker tournaments and parties are organised at

weekends. The association’s mixers are often held

at The Hague University of Applied Sciences sports

canteen: inter-access.nl

Papillon eventsEver since Papillon Events came onto the scene,

Tuesdays have become the night to go out for The

Hague’s international student population. What

started as an initiative for a party organised by

two students at The Hague University of Applied

Sciences has now become a weekly event at Club 7,

known as ‘We love Tuesdays’. Papillon Events also

student associations

23 • H/LINK 17

Turkish SnackingCan Güneyli, a third-year European Studies student, fixes us a traditional Turkish snack. In the Turkish culture, men are not usually to be found in the kitchen, but at Can’s house, it’s not unusual. story Thalita da Silva •

image Quintin van der Blonk

What are we eating today?Today we are eating ‘Sigara

Böregi’, which literally means

‘cigar bread’. This has been my

favourite snack for as long as I

can remember. My mother made

it especially for me when I was

a kid and now, we always have

a stockpile in the freezer. The

thing that makes it special is

how easy it is to make; you’re

ready to sit down and eat within

fifteen minutes. All you need

is pastry dough, white Turkish

cheese, egg whites and oil. I use

olive oil to keep it healthy. You

can adjust it to your own taste with meat or vegetables.

Does your mother do the cooking at your house?At the moment, she does, but that wasn’t always the case. My dad

had a snack bar and he used to be the one who was always in the

kitchen. That’s pretty special in Turkish culture. Although, I must

point out that Turkish men are getting more modern and you see

them in the kitchen more often.

Is Turkish food always on the menu?We do eat a lot of Turkish food,

but we try other things. I made

roti once and we eat lasagne fre-

quently. I eat everything, but if I

really had to choose I’d probably

eat fast food. I’m going on ex-

change to the US for a semester,

so there’ll be a lot of new food

to try. To make sure that doesn’t

become unhealthy, I’m going to

be working out a lot. •

Would you like to invite Link into your kitchen and tell us about your roots? Send an email to [email protected]

Melting pot

recipe on link OnlineFor the recipe and a short video

on how to make cigar bread, go to: http://link-en.hhs.nl

15 minutes

Not spicy

Around € 10 for 3 people

Required cooking skills:none

Vegetarian

sigara böregi

wants journalistic talent

bloggers & student reporters

If you are skilled in observing the everyday world around you, if you

have a point of view and a sharp pen, you may fit the profile for a Link

blogger. Contact us if you’re interested in writing a weekly blog for

Link Online.

If you’re more of a serious journalist type, a post as a student journalist

would be a better fit. You would, among other things, write multiple ar-

ticles for the magazine and been sent out into the field to write reports

and conduct interviews for the website.

Naturally, you will be paid and this part-time job whether as a blogger

or a student editor will have added value for your CV.

interested? send a motivation letter and a writing sample

(a maximum of 400 words) to [email protected]. for more information,

call our office: 070-445-8813.

organises the ‘Student Extravaganza’ in Havana, held on

Thursdays once a month: papillonevents.org

PelargosHave you always wanted to row? The Pelargos student

association has its own boat shed on the Cruquiuskade,

which is the quay right behind the main building. Weather

permitting, the teams row on the canals or, in poor weath-

er, train indoors. Training sessions are always followed by

drinks at the association’s favourite pub, De Momfer. Infor-

mation in English can be found under the ‘International’

tab under ‘Intro Sept ‘12’ on pelargos.nl

red cross student Desk (The Hague chapter)The Red Cross offers students opportunities to organise

and coordinate its projects as a way to build their enthu-

siasm for volunteer work. Visit the Red Cross Facebook

page for more information.

The HssO Valerius OrchestraThe Hague’s newest chorus and orchestra welcome all

student musicians and singers in the city. For information

(Dutch and English) about the association and rehearsal

times, visit their website: studentenorkest.nl

18 H/LINK • 23

Elections

I t dominates the daily papers: there’s a crisis in

Europe. Politicians are falling over each other to

proclaim that Greece should be kicked out of the

Euro zone and that Brussels should not have any say

in what happens in our country, but how realistic is

that? Jaap de Zwaan and Henno Theisens have both

been conducting research recently on whether or not

the Netherlands can be adequately governed now

that it’s less and less clear who is actually in charge.

‘The Netherlands is now part of a worldwide

economy,’ says Henno Theisens, Lector for Effective

Complex Government Systems. ‘Things that used

to be decided locally are now determined by global

organisations like OESO, the UN or NATO. And I don’t

think there’s any way around it. It would not make

much sense, for example, to develop agricultural or

environmental policies independently of the countries

around you.’

Jaap de Zwaan, the Lector for European Integra-

tion, agrees and adds a historical context. ‘You can

continue insisting that everything used to be better

if you want, but back then, you weren’t dependent

on other countries. You didn’t have a Euro, but the

Dutch Guilder and the German Mark were on a fixed

course. The problem with the Euro isn’t so much

the Euro itself, but with the fact that there weren’t

sUre, THey VOTeD.bUT WHaT fOr, exacTly?

MPs stumble over one another in a debate over the Euro Crisis. May, 2012

The Netherlands went to the polls on 12 September, but parliamentary

power in the country is crumbling. Not only are more and more of the

decisions being made in Europe, the Dutch government is also giving

some of its tasks away. On the eve of the election, two of The Hague

University’s Lectors give their interpretation on what the Dutch were

actually voting for. story René Rector • image David van Dam/Hollandse Hoogte

23 • H/LINK 19

sUre, THey VOTeD.bUT WHaT fOr, exacTly?

enough control mechanisms built in.’ To provide

a more contemporary context, it should be noted

that in the second quarter of this year, the Dutch

economy showed growth against all expectations.

The cause was increased international trade com-

pared to last year.

So, everything’s alright with Europe? Well, not

exactly. ‘The EU started out as a trade union, cre-

ated to foster commerce between members,’ says

De Zwaan. ‘That worked out well: Europe became

more prosperous as a result, especially here in the

Netherlands. But we have failed to turn the EU

into proper political union. We have the European

Commission and the European Council now, but

there are too many strangers in it. The Dutch know

[President of the European Council] Herman van

Rompuy and [Competition Commissioner] Neelie

Kroes, but beyond that… Most people are a little

foggy on how people get onto the commissions

and on what that commissions actually do. There

isn’t a single policy area where the authority is not

divided between Europe and the national govern-

ments, but the divisions are different in each area.’

De Zwaan got started as Lector last May. He

wants to investigate how decisions get made in

this unclear power structure and how, precisely,

responsibilities are divided. ‘The funny thing is

that no one seems to know that, but decisions still

get made,’ he says. In short, if you have difficulty

figuring out how power is divided between The

Hague and Brussels, you are not alone.

To make matters even more complicated, it’s not

just Europe that’s taking decision-making power

away from the Dutch government. Even at the

domestic level, tasks are being divided differently.

Last winter, when it was minus twenty outside

and the Dutch railway (Nederlandse Spoorwe-

gen, abbr. NS) network was literally frozen, the

discussions heated up again: wasn’t the Nether-

lands better off when NS was still a state-owned

company, like it was up until the early 1990s?

Theisens doesn’t think so, saying: ‘At the time,

there were reasons for privatising or reducing the

government’s stake in NS. We wanted to work

towards a smaller, more efficient government. You

may want to go back to the way it was, but you

have to keep in mind that society has changed

since then.’ Today, we are more individualistic, for

example. Look at the example of health insurance.

In the Netherlands, you used to be covered by

basic state insurance (Ziekenfonds) or, if you could

afford it, you paid for private insurance. You didn’t

have the choices you have today, and you would

have to give those choices up if the privatisation

of health insurance was reversed. As Theisens

says: ‘At least now, when it comes to the trains,

the government can keep an eye on NS to see if

their service is satisfactory. If it were still a state

company that would be like having the butcher

evaluate his own meat.’

The question Theisens hopes to answer is: ‘what

do civil servants actually do?’ He explains this by

saying: ‘There are ten thousand civil servants in

The Hague, but they don’t sit around writing pol-

icy documents all day. A lot of people joke about

how much work civil servants do, but I’m serious.’

The starting point for Theisens’ research is the

fact that the Parliament often holds debates about

relatively minor issues, such as whether or not to

allow religious butchering practices or the ban on

burqas. Given that there are probably only a few

hundred women in the Netherlands who want

to wear a burqa, this can hardly be considered a

‘major’ issue. ‘Big issues go unsaid in the debates,

but it is nice to know that there are civil servants

who must navigate a path between a fickle parlia-

ment and the countless agencies that are needed

to shape policy,’ he says. ‘I would like to know, for

once, how they spend their days.’

One question remains: what did the Dutch vote

for on 12 September? Apparently, they voted for

representatives who will do what they think is

best for the majority of Dutch people, but who

are not able to decide the country’s direction for

themselves because they have to share the steer-

ing wheel. •

What do civil servants actually do?

No one knows how decisions get made in Europe

20 H/LINK • 23

Locations

find your way around THe MazeImagine this is your very first day at The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

You are inside the lobby of the main building, craning your neck as you survey

the different levels and stairs leading in every direction to places with strange-

sounding names: Ovaal (Oval), Rugzak (Backpack), Slinger (Serpentine), Strip

(Strip). Use this map and in no time you’ll be directing your classmates from

Slinger 3.55 to lecture hall K0.47! story Martine Seijffert • image Mieke Barendse

career centre

location: Ovaal 1.68

What will you find here? An office with lots of

light, containing a few desks and lots of racks

with brochures and leaflets about choosing a

study programme. Also the Student Psycholo-

gist’s office.

good to know, because: The staff here are

always happy to answer your questions about

your professional prospects and/or academic

career. You can schedule an orientation meet-

ing, map out your career path and take various

aptitude tests.

opening hours: Mon./Wed./Thu.: 10 a.m. - 4

p.m., Tue.: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Fri.: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Walking distance: 1 minute and 3 seconds

legal Protection Office


What will you find here? An office containing

a few desks and a conference table.

good to know, because: This is where you can

come if you believe the school made an unfair

decision against you. You can submit an objec-

tion, appeal or complaint at this office. The staff

will see to it that your objection reaches the

right committee.

opening hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


sports Hall

location: The entrance is in the

lobby.

What will you find here? A sports

facility with three pitches, a gym,

showers, dressing rooms and the

smell of sweat.

good to know, because: You can

do various sports organised by the

Sports Office here on weekdays.

A Sports Pass entitles you to take

aerobics classes, play basketball and

badminton, and much more besides.

opening hours: The sports time-

tables are posted on the Student Portal.

The gym (open to gym or combina-

tion pass holders) is open Mon.-Thu.:

11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Walking distance: 1 minute and 23

seconds

copyshop

location: Strip 0.76 (to

the right of the Central

Restaurant).

What will you find here? A desk, sheaves of paper

and a number of binding

machines.

good to know, because: This is where you can have

your thesis or work place-

ment report bound or get a

quick-binder.

opening hours: Mon.-

Thu.: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.,

Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Walking distance: 2 min-

utes and 11 seconds

lobby

location: Downstairs, underneath the audito-

rium (that big chartreuse-coloured cylinder you

see when you enter the hall).

What will you find here? All lecture halls start-

ing with the letter K, the entrance to the sports

complex, the sports canteen where InterAccess

frequently holds its mixers, and a piano.

good to know, because: It is important to know

that lecture halls starting with the letter K can

be accessed from the lobby. And should the urge

strike you, you can play the piano.

opening hours: Mon.-Thu.: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.,

Fri.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.


Dok75

location: Ground floor of Strip (walk left in

the Central Restaurant until you can go no

further).

What will you find here? A restaurant with

a bar.

good to know, because: Facility Manage-

ment students run this venue as part of their

studies. They serve tasty meals at affordable

prices. This is also a great place to meet some-

one for lunch.

opening hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Walking distance: 2 minutes and 25 seconds

23 • H/LINK 21

find your way around THe Maze

student affairs Office


What will you find here? An office where two

Education and Student Affairs department

policy officers work.

good to know, because: This is where you can

get help if you are thinking about setting up

an academic or student association, get all the

information you need about entitlement to finan-

cial aid (e.g. if you join a student council) or have

a fun initiative you’d like to get off the ground.

opening hours: Just drop by during office hours!

Walking distance: 2 minutes and 22 seconds

iT service Desk

location: Slinger 2.58, next to the

walkway leading to Ovaal.

What will you find here? A long desk

manned by people working at their

computers and who are ready to help

you. You may find a queue sometimes.

good to know, because: This is

where you can come if you have any

questions or comments about the

school’s IT facilities and audiovisual

equipment (e.g. if the software on

your school computer is not working).

opening hours: Mon.-Thu.: 8 a.m. -

10 p.m., Fri.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Walking distance: 1 minute and 35

seconds

Table football

location: Study landscape, 5th floor of Slinger (near Slinger

5.03).

What will you find here? A football table cleverly concealed

behind a seating area and a row of computer workstations.

good to know, because: There are times when you need to

reorder your thoughts. What better diversion than a rousing

game of table football!

opening hours: Mon.-Thu.: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Walking distance: 3 minutes and 1 second

New canteen (still unnamed)

location: Near Slinger 3.55, between the

walkways leading to Ovaal.

What will you find here? A brand-new can-

teen catered by Eurest.

good to know, because: This outlet will be

replacing the other canteens in Slinger as an

alternative to the Central Restaurant on the

ground floor of Ovaal.

opening hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.


Explanatory note:• All walking distances are from

the main entry• The reporter walked at a

normal, steady pace, taking the shortest route (or the route she assumed was shortest) without using any of the lifts.

• The Link Editorial Team cannot be held responsible if you fail to arrive at any of the above locations on time.

22 H/LINK • 23

Gems

Red lights burn out in the end

No, Red Lights is not about certain neighbourhoods in large (Dutch) cities. The central ques-tion asked by this thriller from writer-director Rodrigo Cortes is: is there something paranor-mal between heaven and earth?

The theme presents a dilemma. If the film should conclude that all the sceptics are wrong, it could quickly degenerate into another cliché about ‘us against the world’ as the scientists refuse to accept the obvious. If you unmask those that believe in the paranormal as frauds, you might contradict what a lot of your audience believes and while asking them to sympathise with the scientists (something quite hard to do in this film). The film centres on professor Mar-garet Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and her assistant Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) as the investigate claims of paranormal activity. The way in which they expose a haunted house as a hoax at the beginning is strikingly hilarious, but the joke’s over when the big-time psychic

Simon Silver (diabolically delivered by Robert de Niro) challenges the scientists to discredit him.

An interesting effect is created by the way the camerawork becomes disorienting whenever doubt strikes. In a style reminiscient of the dogme movement we watch as Buckley completely loses his way. The acting is also solid, as you may expect from De Niro and Weaver, and that allows us to forgive Cortes for the fact that Buckley’s romance with a young student feels slightly dutiful.

Inevitably, Cortes has to take a side. Are paranormal powers possible or not? The screenplay starts chasing its tail when Cortes’ camera starts looking for a solution that will satisfy sceptics and true believers at the same time. The result is an entertain-ing film that forgets to tie up several loose ends. My advice: go ahead and watch it, but leave the cinema when the toilet gets smashed. • RR

Do you enjoy thinking about

Big Questions? We have good

news for you. Margreet de

Heer, who has been drawing

the Link comics (see page 24) for two years, just published a

comic with a capital C. Take a light-hearted look at western

philosophy with Philosophy, A Discovery in Comics.

Big names like Aristotle, Descartes and Nietzsche turn up, of course,

but Ms De Heer takes on the lead role, searching for the essence

of thought as she explores the caverns of her own brain. The book

takes detours into the lives and histories of famous philosophers,

but every road leads back to the central question: what is so special

about the way we think? The book offers philosophy with a smile.

Link is giving away three copies of Philosophy, A Discovery in Comics. For a chance to win one, send an e-mail to [email protected]

before 1 November that answers the following question:

A great philosopher answered the question of whether or not the

world around us really exists, by arguing that he could verify that

he, himself, existed. He was capable of thought and that meant that

there had to be something that was capable of producing those

thoughts. Who was it that first said: “I think, therefore I am”?

sPECial offER

lllllRed lights Genre: thrillerNow in theatres

Win a signed

Philosophical comic

Robert de Niro as the megalomanical psychic Simon Silver.

Wake up fully refreshed with the sleep CycleWith the new academic year just started, you will want to attend your morning classes bright-eyed and bushy-tailed! Sleep Cycle can help.

This app records your sleep patterns and will wake you up in the lightest sleep phase, making it easy for you to get out of bed. To use, simply slip your iPhone into place between your mattress and sheet, near your pillow, where the app will monitor your movements while you sleep. The Sleep Cycle will determine half an hour before your set alarm time when you are in a light sleep phase and cause the alarm – a friendly tune – to go off. In the morning you can even check your sleeping behaviour on a graph!• MC/TdJ

Kosten: € 0,79Compatible with: iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

23 • H/LINK 23

so long summer lovin’ Sumera may have only made it to sixth place in the Dutch X Factor, but she’s definitely clawing her way up to the top. She has just released an EP featuring 5 songs. It’s pretty good pop music, if your summer love just came to an end.Sumera’s voice is strong and the Spanish-infused tracks add some

swing, while the familiar melodies give the songs great potential. Sumera seems especially inspired by heartbreak. Each of the tracks talks about love and loss, fighting for broken relationships and forgetting the beautiful moments.Music can build a bridge to help you get over an ex, but once you’ve moved on and forgotten all about your summer lover, you’ll probably be ready to leave this album behind as well. Hopefully, if that’s your situation, you’ll be moving on soon. • IvB

toP

5UnUsUal dUtCh... by Manuela hernandez

While others are busy checking their Facebook page several times a day, lecturer Manuela Hernandez prefers surfing over to smithmag.net. There, she describes her daily life in six words every day and encourages others to do the same. story Martine Seijffert •

image Mieke Barendse

WEBSITE > sMithMag.nEtThis website is part of a storytelling community

inspired by author Ernest Hemingway, who was

famously challenged to tell a story in just six words.

Anyone can join and can do so anonymously if so

desired. It’s a fun way to stimulate your creativity.

One example of mine: ‘Student said I’m contagious.

Best compliment.’

DOCUMENTARY > PlanEt EaRthI’m crazy about the beautiful visuals and about the

man who does the voiceover for this: it’s the voice

of wisdom. I also think it’s great that at the end of

the documentary, they explain how it was made.

Sometimes the weather was bad, other times the

money ran out and you see how difficult it was.

TV-SERIES > niP/tUCkNip/Tuck is about two plastic surgeons in Florida.

The stories are pretty extreme sometimes. In one

episode, for example, this criminal wants a new face

and ends up getting the face of some other notorious

criminal. There’s a lot of black humour and I like that.

FILM > sPiRitEd aWayThis is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, a leg-

endary Japanese filmmaker. You get sucked into a

world of magic realism. A young girl who is moving

with her family ends up in a strange realm full of

ghosts and spirits. Miyazaki is great at depicting

the scarier parts.

BOOK > thE PillaRs of thE EaRth – Ken Follet

Since I have to read a lot for school already, in my

free time I prefer to listen to audiobooks. Pillars

of the Earth is so beautifully and vividly told. It’s

about a man who has a dream to design a cathedral.

The storytelling style is raw, down to the smallest

detail: you feel the pain and see the blood spatter.

I can close my eyes and see it happening. lllllsumera - stop heartGenre: Electronic Pop

Prince’s Day: watch the hatsEvery year, on the third

Tuesday of September

(on 18 September this

year), the Dutch observe

the official start of the

parliamentary year in The

Hague. This day is called

‘Prinsjesdag’, which

literally translates to: ‘the

day of the little princes’.

Because Queen Beatrix is head of state, she presides over the

ceremony after a golden coach brings her to the Hall of Knights

at the Binnenhof, the parliamentary complex in the city centre.

The Queen is well known for her wide variety of hats and the

female Members of Parliament follow her example by wear-

ing their most extravagant headgear. In fact, the hats are the

subject of as much discussion as the Queen’s official Troonrede,

the ‘Speech from the Throne’ in which it is the Queen’s duty to

describe the main features of the government’s policy plans for

the coming year in a fashion similar to the American President’s

State of the Union Address.

Sometimes the hats themselves make political statements, and

sometimes they are just silly. So, not only do you get the chance

to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty on September 18, but you can

also check out the hat parade. • MS

image: Schalke fotografie: Melissa Schalke | Shutterstock.com

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