Renting out a room in your home: Zwannet and Marc's story

Host Zwannet and student Marc have already experienced a lot together. From 'koekhappen' to 'wadlopen' and Chinese New Year. Read here the full story.

Today, we got on the train for an interview with a Hospi Housing match, this time in Veenendaal, approximately half an hour by train from Utrecht. In Veenendaal, we visit Marc and Zwannet. We take a seat around the kitchen table, enjoying a cup of coffee while listening to their Hospi Housing story and why renting out a room in your home is truly amazing.

From Hong Kong to the Netherlands

Marc has been studying at the University of Utrecht since last year. Though we can already tell from his perfect British accent, he tells us that he is half British, half Irish, and grew up in Hong Kong. Moving from Hong Kong to the Netherlands was quite a culture shock for him.

"Moving to another country on my own for the first time was quite an adjustment," says Marc.

I ask him what he struggled with the most after arriving in the Netherlands. He explains that getting used to the Dutch culture and mentality was quite a challenge. However, he now knows some Dutch words and feels more at ease. The more time he spends here, the more he considers the possibility of staying in the Netherlands.

Renting out a room in your home

Zwannet tells us that since her two daughters moved out, her house has become quite empty. One of her daughters also lives in another country, which makes her empathetic towards international students coming to the Netherlands. With five rooms available in her home, she enjoys sharing her house, especially if she can help someone in search of a room.

Zwannet discovered the existence of Hospi Housing through television. She had a second kitchen installed on the second floor of her house, providing sufficient privacy for both international students and herself. This was an important criterion for Zwannet when renting out a room in her home. It gives her a sense of security knowing she is not alone in the house. With another international student arriving in the fall and someone staying three days a week through her work, it's a lively atmosphere in her house in Veenendaal.

Dutch traditions

Marc explains that finding a room in the Netherlands was quite a challenge. He came across Hospi Housing on the University's website, which he found to be much more reliable than the various scam websites he had encountered before. He was very grateful and relieved when Zwannet selected him for the room. Finally, he could study in the Netherlands.

Zwannet enjoys introducing international students to Dutch traditions. She has taken Marc on a few weekend trips to show him more of the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, they climbed the Euromast, sailed over the water with the water taxi, and visited the Markthal during Chinese New Year. In return, Marc has shared insights about the culture he grew up in. Zwannet has also introduced Marc to Sinterklaas and ‘wadlopen’ in the northern regions. As a result, Marc has discovered many Dutch traditions and places in only one year.

Sharing moments

I ask how much time Marc and Zwannet spend together daily. Marc shares that they have regular chats, depending on their busy schedules. Nothing is obligatory; everything is optional. They both enjoy engaging in conversations about various topics. Last year, Marc joined a theater group, and over the past months, he performed twice. Zwannet is delighted to see how well he feels in the Netherlands and how much he has achieved in just a year. They involve each other in important life events; Zwannet even attended one of Marc's performances.

Zwannet mentions that sharing her home with international students is an enriching experience. She finds it great to witness their personal growth over the year. Communication at home is excellent, which is important, according to Zwannet. I ask Zwannet for advice for potential hosts, and she emphasizes the importance of feeling comfortable with sharing one's home and privacy. For Zwannet, having an additional kitchen was crucial. She also shares that this experience gives meaning to her life and, of course, is very enjoyable. It gives her a sense of security, knowing someone is living in her home in case of any unexpected events. Zwannet also believes this could be an excellent solution for elderly who may feel lonely.

Dutch Game Day

At the end of the interview, we always ask hosts and students if they would like to share a memorable moment. Marc shares that, especially in the beginning, the conversations were incredibly valuable to him. They gave him self-confidence during difficult times when he felt far away from home. To this day, these conversations influenced his decision to study in the Netherlands.

Zwannet recalls a completely different moment. At the beginning of the year, she organized a Dutch game day, with games like ‘koekhappen’ and 'spijkerpoepen'. "It was really a lot of fun", Marc tells us in agreement

What a heartwarming conversation with host Zwannet and student Marc. We hope they continue to enjoy living together for a long time, celebrating Chinese New Year, Sinterklaas, and many more occasions. Do you want to have a similar experience to Zwannet and Marc's? Sign up now with Hospi Housing.