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Link 23: Go global
description
Transcript of Link 23: Go global
september 2012
magazine of the hague university
of applied sciences
23
GO GlObal How THU is internationalising
En
glish
Ed
itio
n
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! •
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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
location: Ovaal 1.33
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.
Walking distance: 1 minute and 7 seconds
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.
Walking distance: 1 minute and 17 seconds
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
location: Ovaal 4.03
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.
Walking distance: 1 minute and 55 seconds
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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answers of page 12: 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. c 6. a 7. a
Three or more wrong answers means that you might have difficulties
in an international environment.