University College Utrecht - Student Life

ent Life Stud versity College Utrecht at Uni

Table of Contents

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

The University College Utrecht experience is

The broad offering of activities found in the

more than a quality education. The residential

student committees creates the opportunity for

campus creates a dynamic environment with

students with similar interests to meet and share

opportunities for fun and growth beyond the

their enthusiasm. As a result, it’s not unusual for

classroom. Students live, study and relax together,

friendships to develop that last well beyond a

and in the process get to know one another.

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.

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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 classroom Life 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.

University campus, or in the city

allow them to do something

The activities available on the

of Utrecht may compliment a

entirely different from what they

UCU campus, the main Utrecht

student’s academic interests or

are doing in the classroom.

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/ 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.

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/ Committees

07

Creative outlets The performing arts are popular

a creative outlet for students

among UCU students. The

outside the classroom. The

drama committee has had a

student orchestra, DJ committee

long running soap opera which

and choir cater to the musically

is written and performed by

inclined. The music committee

students who provide regular

organizes the popular open mike

installments to keep the plot

nights in the student bar, where

moving forward, while the

budding talent can make itself

musical committee stages a

heard.

musical production each year.

The student-run UCTV television Performing arts and drama

channel is a campus-wide

courses are part of the

video link which students use

curriculum, but they also provide

to produce and air their own

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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.

/ Creative outlets

09

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.

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/ The power of words

11

Mens sana in corpore sano

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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 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 cafĂŠ 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.

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/ 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.

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/ Student voices

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A vibrant location 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

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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

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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: ucu.info@uu.nl Website: www.uu.nl/ucu

University College Utrecht | Student life