Tips voor studenten in Groningen: een interview met local promoter Flavia

Flavia heeft het grotendeel van haar leven in Athene gewoond. In dit interview deelt ze haar ervaringen en favoriete spots als internationale student in Groningen.

Deze blog is geschreven door onze internationale stagiairs en daarom in het Engels!

Flavia has been living in Athens for most of her life. She came to Groningen to do her master's degree and subsequently joined Hospi Housing's team as the local promoter in Groningen. In this interview, Flavia will share her experience of living in Groningen as an international student and her favorite places to explore in the city.

"I enjoy Groningen, it's a nice city. Definitely really different from Athens because everything there is so far away. If you want to have a nice walk in the park, you have to take the metro. If you want to go to a nice cafe, you have to travel to the center. So here I enjoy the fact that everything is kind of close

When and how did you become part of the Hospi Housing team?

'I had a call with Daan, one of the founders, around May this year. I saw the advertisement on the university job platform and I also struggled with finding a place; way too much. So the opening caught my attention and I definitely mentioned that in my motivational letter. We called and I eventually began as a local promoter, he explained how to use the platform and everything.'

How would you describe Groningen in three words?

'Friendly... I think it's a friendly city. Whenever I had to ask something, or for any information, everyone was friendly. Then, I would say peaceful. Even though it's a student city and you definitely have a nightlife, it's still peaceful. But I compare it to Athens, which is chaotic, noisy and with a lot of traffic. I will also call it a beautiful city.'

What is the best place to study in Groningen, besides the university library?

'I'll definitely say FORUM. It's a very good place and has an amazing view of the whole city. It gives you the feeling that you want to study, it's so beautiful. There are also a lot of other people that study there, which helps with the motivation. The only thing is that during exam period it's very busy and difficult to find a place. I recommend going earlier in the day. You also don't have to order anything, you can bring your own food and snacks. It's common and more affordable that way.

But Groningen has many other cafes that are laptop friendly. For example, Coffee Break. It's the same vibe where you order a coffee and study. 99% of people there are on their laptops. We also have Starbucks on campus inside the library. You always have students going there.'

What is the best place to enjoy a nice sunny day?

'Noorderplantsoen park. The biggest park in Groningen. It's really pretty, especially if you enjoy running, walks and picnics. During summer so many people just lay around and sunbathe, or have a picnic and spend time with other people. Of course, it's also nice during autumn and spring.'

What about a good night-out?

'Grote Markt is a street in the center with the most cafes and bars, as well as shops. I have only been to this club once, but my friends mostly go to The Ocean. It is definitely that 'club vibe' that you get from it, with hip-hop music and people enjoying themselves while dancing. There is another place called The Block. If you want to enjoy a nice cocktail, you should go to Mr. Mofongo. It's actually the place with the best reviews in Groningen.

Any museums?

'We don't have that many. But there is one close to the central station, Groninger museum (Tip: free for students!). Exhibitions change all the time. There is a lot of photography, for example. It was a nice experience when I went there.'

Any restaurant recommendations?

'Same place as I told you before, Mr. Mogongo is also a restaurant. Upstairs is the cocktail bar, downstairs is the restaurant. It's not that affordable for students, but it's a very nice place. When it comes to more affordable food, you should go to Oude Kilk in t Jatstraat (Pastfabriek) street. You will find a lot of places to eat, including affordable places. Pasta, pizza... Another place I like is called Blue Bananas, it's the absolute best for pancakes on a Sunday brunch. It Is very beautiful on the inside and close to the Forum (mentioned above), in case you want to take a pancake break during study.'

Other tips?

'There are also exhibitions at FORUM, as well as a cinema. All this is incorporated in the same building. It also includes laptop-free zones and, importantly, a library with books in English for reading. You can grab a book that you like and just enjoy reading. Very convenient for international students that don't yet speak Dutch. You can find books from the most mainstream films, like Twilight, to the most classic literature. It is a good place to kill time or relax besides studying. Another one is the Market on Grote Markt on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can do your groceries there, the food is cheaper and the quality is always better than in the supermarket. A lot of people get their groceries from there.'

What last piece of advice would you give to a new student coming to Groningen?

'I would definitely tell them to find the time to walk around the city by themselves. It's such a nice and easy city to walk. You will never get lost, even if you think you're about to get lost you will end up at a familiar place. Explore, grab a coffee and don't be afraid to talk to people.'