Netherlands Erasmus 2016: Class, Cooking and Rotterdam

Week 2 (01/02/2016 - 07/02/2016)

So after an eventful first week, in which not much education took place, I think we were all excited to begin class this week. However our first class did not actually take place until the Wednesday. Starting with a class titled "Innovative Dutch School Systems" we quickly realised that our class sizes were going to be a lot smaller than at home as there was only the four of us plus two other exchange students (the teacher training course is only offered to exchange students). This was followed by another class titled "International Baccalaureate" which seems to be primarily focused on improving our planning skills and give us an understanding of international teaching. The tutors take a far less formal approach and much of the teaching revolves around discussion and the comparison of the teaching in our different countries. Due to one of our optional classes not starting until the following week and another being cancelled as the lecturer was away we were left with only one more class to have on the Thursday. This class, “Places of Memory”, has the potential to be one of the most interesting as it involves trips out of college to locations around Friesland (the province in which Leeuwarden in situated) in order to look at sites and talk about events which have influenced the Frisian culture.

Chicken coming along nicely

Having survived my first week on free meals, cereal and fried eggs this week I set myself the challenge of cooking an actual meal. Armed with nothing but good intentions I spent a while wandering the aisles of Jumbo, Albert Heijn and Aldi looking for the best deals, deciding to keep it simple with chicken fillets, potatoes, pasta and sauce. After many text messages and two occasions of setting off the fire alarm I was filled with pride at the sight of my first proper home cooked meal of pan fried chicken and boiled potatoes. And it was pretty good, although I am biased.

'Usually, one's cooking is better than one thinks it is.'

- Julia Child

Taking advantage of the easy week we had and the little work we had to complete for the following week we decided to take the opportunity at the weekend to visit on of the Netherlands major cities - Rotterdam. Leaving early on the Saturday morning and with only a slight mishap on the trains, involving our tickets and technical lack of, we eventually made it to our hostel early afternoon. After a quick check in and freshen up we headed out to see the sights and take advantage of what the city centre had to offer. The Saturday and Sunday afternoon were spent shopping and visiting local attractions such as the Cube Houses and St. Lawrence Church. The highlight of the sites we visited for me was the Markthal. Calling it a large market hall doesn’t do it justice. From the artwork on the ceiling, the modern stalls and the sheer size of the building it was a sight to behold. Although I was thankful to collapse into my bed after a long journey back to Leeuwarden on the Sunday I will definitely take another opportunity to visit Rotterdam in the future.