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author
Ediz Hazir
Ediz
Hazir
faculty
Fakulta sociálních věd
academic year of the stay
2024/2025
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author
Ediz
faculty
Fakulta sociálních věd
academic year of the stay
2024/2025
traineeship
study stay
short-term mobility
other
University of Groningen
How does Ediz rate their stay?
university
city
accommodation
financial demands
about university
What made your university special? What were the facilities where you studied and the university equipment like?
When I think of the University of Groningen, I think of intellectual rigor without pretension. It is a place where arguments must be precise and grounded in sources. There is no space for vague claims. That culture pushes you to be sharper and more disciplined. What made it unique was its structured supervision and international research environment. Within the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society, theoretical discussions are always tied closely to archival evidence. Critical feedback is direct and constructive, which strengthens the quality of work. The workspaces are modern, bright, and functional. Offices and seminar rooms are well equipped with digital screens, video conferencing tools, and strong library access. The environment is designed for focused research and serious discussion rather than display.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your "adoptive" university? What made it special? What were the premises where you studied and the university facilities like?
At the University of Groningen, the semester is organized in intensive block periods rather than long, diffuse terms. This structure requires continuous engagement and disciplined time management. Assessment relies heavily on research papers, presentations, and ongoing evaluation instead of a single final oral exam. The focus is on critical argumentation and independent positioning within historiography, not mere reproduction of knowledge. Course management is highly digitalized and transparent, with clear grading criteria and firm deadlines. Expectations are explicit.The relationship between teachers and students is more horizontal. Professors are accessible, feedback is direct and analytical, and students are treated as junior researchers expected to take responsibility for their own progress. The administration is efficient and standardized, emphasizing autonomy and accountability.
What is student life like at university?
Life at the University of Groningen is dynamic and international. The city of Groningen is a real student city, with students making up a large part of the population. Academic life is serious but the atmosphere is informal and accessible. Bicycles are the main mode of transport.There are many student associations, including study associations linked to specific degree programs as well as sports, cultural, and international student organizations.Dutch language and culture courses are available through the university’s language centre and can be taken as electives.The university also supports leisure activities. Students can join sports through ACLO, participate in arts and cultural events via USVA, and take part in large introduction weeks organized at the start of the academic year.
Did you study in English or in the language of the host country? What language requirements does the university have?
Yes, english only.
about the city
What was your impression of the city? How would you describe it? What is interesting to see here?
The University of Groningen is busy, but not in a frantic way. It has that northern European efficiency, things work, emails get answered, rooms are booked, and supervisors expect output. It’s intellectually serious without being theatrical. The environment is very international. You hear five languages before you finish your coffee. For a traineeship, that cosmopolitan atmosphere matters because it forces you to articulate your work clearly across academic cultures. You can’t hide behind jargon. That’s healthy. It’s also very student-oriented. The infrastructure is strong: libraries are open long hours, digital access is excellent, and administrative processes are structured. The PhD culture emphasizes autonomy. No one micromanages you. That sounds pleasant, but it’s also a test of discipline. If you drift, no one will rescue you. If you are focused, the system rewards productivity. What is interesting to see here goes beyond the university buildings. The city of Groningen itself is compact and intensely academic. Nearly a quarter of the population is made up of students. That changes the rhythm of the city. The historic city center, especially the Martinitoren, gives you a sense of medieval continuity, which is a useful reminder when working in history: institutions endure, forms change. The university’s Academy Building is symbolic, but the real intellectual life happens in seminar rooms and quiet corners of the library. My favorite places were the University Library and the Noorderplantsoen park. The library is not romantic; it is functional, bright, and efficient. That’s precisely why it works. It invites work. No drama. No excuses. No aesthetic distractions. Noorderplantsoen, on the other hand, is where you decompress. Long walks there can help untangle theoretical knots in your head. If you frame your traineeship strategically, Groningen becomes more than a place; it becomes a production environment. It’s calm enough to think, structured enough to progress, and international enough to sharpen your arguments. The city won’t encourage you into productivity. It will quietly wait to see whether you use it well.
about finances
In your experience, how far does the scholarship go? What percentage of your expenses did it cover? What is your opinion on prices in the country in general?
It only covered half of it as the Netherlands is an expensive country.
Please advise your classmates on how to save money—Where to shop? What services can be used to save money?
Unfortunately, in the Netherlands, it is not easy to save money.
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about accommodation
What type of accommodation did you choose? Would you recommend it to others? If not, what type of accommodation do you think is best based on your experience (dormitory, private apartment, private dormitory, shared room, etc.)?
Shared room would be the best.
about experiences
Did you use Erasmus stay to travel around your country/Europe? What are your best travel experiences? What would you not recommend?
I didn’t have much time to travel, as I was fully focused on completing my research activities and writing my dissertation work during the traineeship. I only made limited short visits to nearby cities when possible. Because of my tight research schedule, I prioritized academic progress over tourism, so I cannot strongly recommend or critique specific travel experiences beyond noting that careful time management is essential during research stays.
Language and culture: what cultural differences did you notice? How did you cope with the national language? Was it also the language of your studies? Do you feel that your language skills improved during your stay?
What cultural differences did you notice?
I noticed a strong culture of direct communication, flat hierarchy, and structured, efficient meetings. Feedback was explicit but constructive, with a strong focus on tasks and time management.
How did you deal with the national language? Was it also the language of your study?
The national language is Dutch, but my academic work was in English. I used English in academic and daily settings while learning some basic Dutch for everyday interactions.
Do you feel like you've made progress in the language thanks to the stay?
Yes. I improved my passive understanding of Dutch and became more confident in navigating multilingual academic and social environments.
final rating
Why here? What makes this location special? Why would you send your friends to your country/city?
The University of Groningen is exceptional because it is a strong research university with an international academic environment that still feels manageable and personal. The city is safe, very walkable, and student friendly, which helps you focus on research while maintaining a good quality of life. I would recommend it to friends because the academic culture values clear thinking and real research output, and the location offers a good balance between serious work and a comfortable daily life.
live-saving tips
If I went again, I would definitely remember to pack...
Nothing that I can think of.
Before leaving, I would like to know that...
Life expenses are much more expensive than Prague.
What surprised me most was that...
how much i advanced my research
The hardest thing for me was...
finding accomodation
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