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This booklet was created to give prospect students an idea about how it is to study at University College in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Student Lifeat University College Utrecht
Living and learning 02
Life beyond the classroom 04
Committees 06
Creative outlets 08
The power of words 10
Mens sana in corpore sano 12
Making a difference 14
Student voices 16
A vibrant location 18
Table of Contents
The University College Utrecht experience is
more than a quality education. The residential
campus creates a dynamic environment with
opportunities for fun and growth beyond the
classroom. Students live, study and relax together,
and in the process get to know one another.
The broad offering of activities found in the
student committees creates the opportunity for
students with similar interests to meet and share
their enthusiasm. As a result, it’s not unusual for
friendships to develop that last well beyond a
student’s time at UCU.
/ Introduction 01
Living and learning The community of students
who live and study at UCU is
a diverse mix of individuals
from a variety of cultural
backgrounds. Students live
on campus where social and
cultural diversity within each
student residence is the rule
rather than the exception. This
central aspect of student life is
considered to be a fundamental
and enriching feature of the
UCU student experience.
02
The composition of a residence will change each year as students
are assigned new living accommodations, but it is possible to
request to live with friends after the first year as well.
Students eat communally in the campus dining facility, which is also
an integral part of life at UCU. Vegetarian diets as well as halal and
kosher diets can be accommodated.
/ Living and learning 03
Life beyond the classroomLife beyond the classroom at
UCU is enriched by committees
and other activities which
provide students with the
opportunity to further explore
their creative and intellectual
interests. These extracurricular
pursuits allow students to
relax and have fun with other
students or to gain knowledge
and experience that may prove
useful in their post-UCU life.
The activities available on the
UCU campus, the main Utrecht
04
University campus, or in the city
of Utrecht may compliment a
student’s academic interests or
allow them to do something
entirely different from what they
are doing in the classroom.
/ Life beyond the classroom 05
Committees
Committees at UCU are student organizations
founded by and for students with similar interests.
Committees form the backbone of social life on
campus. They organize parties and entertainment
and provide opportunities for students to unwind
with activities such as dance or yoga. Other
committees allow students to express themselves
through music or visual arts. The 25 committees
that are active on campus each year are truly a
reflection of the diversity of student interests.
06
/ Committees 07
Creative outlets The performing arts are popular
among UCU students. The
drama committee has had a
long running soap opera which
is written and performed by
students who provide regular
installments to keep the plot
moving forward, while the
musical committee stages a
musical production each year.
Performing arts and drama
courses are part of the
curriculum, but they also provide
08
a creative outlet for students
outside the classroom. The
student orchestra, DJ committee
and choir cater to the musically
inclined. The music committee
organizes the popular open mike
nights in the student bar, where
budding talent can make itself
heard.
The student-run UCTV television
channel is a campus-wide
video link which students use
to produce and air their own
/ Creative outlets 09
television programming. Students interested in films
and film production can join the film committee,
which regularly hosts the screening of films, and
provides students with the opportunity to create
their own short productions. Those interested in the
single frame find students with similar interests in
FocusCo, which is dedicated to still photography.
Themed parties, performances of the drama
committee’s ongoing soap opera, and displays of
UCU talent at the open mike night or with our
own student DJ’s create a strong community spirit
on campus. All of these activities take place at the
UCSA bar, which is operated by the bar committee.
The power of words
Putting your acquired presentation and
argumentation skills into practice is a favorite
pastime at UCU. The options to do so are
abundant. Students can participate in simulated
United Nations assemblies, or join the debate
committee and participate in (inter)national
debate tournaments. Student committees
also organize and sponsor lectures and panel
discussions about contemporary issues involving
politics, the environment, medicine or subjects
on the cutting edge of academic discussion.
The career committee organizes events which
acquaint students with careers in business, politics,
government and non-profit organizations.
10
/ The power of words 11
Mens sana in corpore sano
12
A healthy mind in a healthy body – for many
students sports provide the perfect getaway from
exams and papers. These students are united in
the sports committee. Students participate in yoga,
capoeira, martial arts, rowing, lacrosse, football,
tennis, volleyball, basketball and more. The UCU
campus has a weight room, basketball court and
sports field. UCU students are also eligible for
membership of the Utrecht University Olympos
sports complex, which offers teams and classes in
virtually any sport or discipline imaginable.
/ Mens sana in corpore sano 13
Making a difference
14
Many students take an active interest in affecting
the world around them. They contribute their time
to make a difference in the lives of others, both
within the city of Utrecht and the broader world
community. Students work to establish networks
in the local community, leading to projects such
as helping high school students with their English,
and organizing and running a café to raise funds
for community improvement projects in the
developing world. The humanitarian committee
organizes a host of events to raise awareness of
and money for selected charities.
/ Making a difference 15
Student voices Students may choose to get involved in one of the
two student associations, the University College
Student Association (UCSA) and the All Students
Interest Council (ASIC). UCSA oversees all social
activities and acts as the umbrella organization
for the student committees, while ASIC acts as
the student advocacy council. Both provide great
opportunities for experience in student leadership.
The Boomerang is the campus newspaper. It is run
independently by and for students and provides
the opportunity for students to write and publish
within the campus community. The paper is
published in both online and paper versions, and
each new edition brings campus news, editorials,
gossip and informative features that keep everyone
talking until the next issue arrives.
16
/ Student voices 17
A vibrant location
18
UCU is fortunate to be located
in a city as lively and beautiful
as Utrecht. The city has a long
and rich cultural tradition that
continues today, with annual
film and music festivals and
museums. Utrecht University is
one of the largest universities in
Europe, and the presence of its
student population can be felt
throughout the city’s cafes and
night clubs. Theaters and music
venues provide entertainment,
from cabaret and dramatic
performances to chamber and
folk music. The city is also host
to a number of night spots with
popular DJ’s and well-known
international musical acts.
/ A vibrant location 19
Colophon
Production: Sebastiaan Cassé, Michael Price,
University College Utrecht, Utrecht University
Design: Laurens Hebly
Printing: ZuidamUithof Drukkerijen
Photography: Michael Kooren, Harm Kuiper,
Pet van de Luijtgaarden, Iris Otto, Ivar Pel, Pieter
Ouddeken, Fritz Streiff, Marnix Warren.
Photo page 15 by Jasmijn Wiebenga, portraying
Noortje van ’t Klooster with pupils in Zhuolong,
province of Guangxi, China, December 2008.
Contact information
University College Utrecht
P.O. Box 80145, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 30 253 9900
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.uu.nl/ucu
University College Utrecht | Student life
