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thelinguist.uberflip.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 17 FEATURES Consequently, the professors set a fantastic example to students in their writing and lectures. The only disadvantage is that they have been the point of reference for my colleagues since their bachelor's degree, so on the rare occasion that they make an error, it becomes pervasive. When a professor used the phrase 'so to say' instead of 'so to speak' during a lecture, it became a commonly used phrase – so much so, that when I came to explain this usage to my family, I had difficulty recalling which was the correct version. I do not hesitate to correct people politely on their usage of English. I take great interest in proofreading people's work, when they ask me to. It really forces me to think about the sentence structure and choice of words, which has been beneficial to my own verbal and written communication. As someone who usually shies away from inquisitive eyes, the only drawback is that I am now the living dictionary and thesaurus in every class. I have learned that German, in particular, has a word for every scenario and emotion. One of the first questions that was asked of me was, 'what is the English word that describes your emotions when you are embarrassed on someone else's behalf?' My suggestion of 'empathy' was dismissed. At other times, my suggestions are met with great excitement and the scribbling of pens. The downside is that there has been little incentive to learn Dutch. Like the other English people I have met here, I do try. I can get by in an average supermarket or pub interaction, but ask me anything more complicated and my understanding ends. This not something the Dutch find surprising or even negative. Young Dutch people enjoy practising their English language skills, particularly with native speakers. When I mentioned to a colleague from Amsterdam that I was considering taking a Dutch course, she expressed genuine confusion about the purpose. Living concerns Anyone who has embarked on a mission to find accommodation in Utrecht will vouch for its difficulty. Among international students there is a heavy reliance on the housing provider recommended by the university, which more or less guarantees you a room. Many private student houses in Utrecht have a strong bias towards selecting natives; for others, the competition is fierce. The benefit of staying in a guaranteed room is that you meet equally apprehensive foreign students as soon as you arrive. My flatmates for the first year were Bulgarian, Greek, Swiss, German, Nepalese and Indian. Together we fared the introduction to Dutch culture and our first experience of the infamous Koningsdag (King's Day) in April – the pinnacle of the country's party year. The day itself is a whirlwind of informal and impossibly cheap markets set up on the city streets by anyone wanting to get rid of unwanted items. The evening before, King's Night, was another matter. I am still reeling from the spectacle of hundreds of Dutch people dancing to the Spice Girls. On the whole, I cannot recommend studying abroad enough. Aside from the practical benefits, the experience is one you cannot replicate – whether you are cycling through the city centre of your new home, exploring a new academic method, or having a beer with people from half a dozen countries. I constantly have to remind myself not to take the experience for granted. Nevertheless, my advice would be to manage your expectations. The study is demanding and practicalities such as accommodation are not to be underestimated. Being able to conquer these challenges, however, is all part of why the experience is so valuable. ABROAD EXPERIENCE Utrecht University Library (above); and (below left) international students Tuition fees are rarely more than a tenth of those in the UK. Quite often, there are no tuition fees at all