By Sithis Yim Samnang Happy Birthday to my ten-year-old brother, Sotheareach! I know it’s been two years that I have not been to your birthday parties, buddy! And, for that I am so sorry. I’d really like to watch you grow up and be the best brother I can be, but I guess that is…
Going Global: An Overview of the UCR Exchange Process
By Luna Erica The semester is well on its way, and for many first- and third-semester students that means that a decision is coming up: Will you apply for an exchange semester? At UCR Open Days, the possibility of an exchange semester is often emphasized as a very exciting element of your studies in Middelburg….
Thoughts on Concerts: Music to Look Forward To
By Alisa Adams While we are still on the subject of celebrating live music, why not venture outside of UCR? Since I moved to the Netherlands I have been to a total of eight concerts- which is a lot of international acts to have seen in just one year, I know! However, I would implore…
Dutch-led Climate Change Denial Coalition on the Offense
By Joost Gerretschen While UCR students were learning how to contribute to the energy transition and the mitigation of the ongoing climate breakdown, a denial campaign led by a Dutch foundation leaked. DeSmogBlog, a UK NGO that reports on fossil fuel public relations efforts, came upon on a self-proclaimed “European Declaration” which will feature three…
Useful Procrastination #Taketwo: Youtube and Its Wonders
By Alice Fournier You know when you really feel like doing nothing at all, but at the same time you’re too stressed to be able to enjoy doing nothing? Let’s procrastinate effectively together, shall we? I’m doing that just now writing this article, in fact. I’m a master of procrastination, but I do so in…
The Musical Show of UCR
By Florence Mazzetti A hall, a stage, a microphone. Songs swinging through the air, telling the audience how to feel. An ever-changing atmosphere led by performances, where silent messages are spread across the room. Open Mics at De Spot give UCR students exclusive experiences, ranging from listening to local performers to going on stage for…
UCR Students Over the Summer Break
Edited by Anja Herrmann While catching up on lost sleep was on top of this summer’s agenda for most people, UCR students will always have additional activities up their sleeve. On my quest to find these stories, I have heard about visits to a wide array of countries rich in history, attempts to finally…
Take a Bite
By Alisa Adams Contributions by UCR students Living in Middelburg can be pretty tough when it comes to finding activities. The question what to do in town is not always an easy one. Well, the best (almost the only) answer is to Eat! What is truly better than eating great food when you have the…
South-West France: A Cave Lover’s Guide
By Alice Fournier I’m fortunate enough to live both in the French South-East, in Provence, with all the sun it has to offer, and in the South-West, near Bordeaux, with its rain and beautiful prehistoric caves. This is for all of my non-claustrophobic peeps who do not mind dark, damp and cold places. In exchange…
Should We Be Paying for Our Coffee?
By Anja Herrmann Ah, yes- the infamous energy generator that sits idly by in Eleanor and at the very top of Franklin. We can almost hear our calling to get up and just get one, just one more cup of coffee. But based on our impressive eye bags and the decision-making of our last two…
Remembrance of the Sun
by Alisa Adams Three months into the summer break, I have, surprisingly, found myself missing the regularity and consistency of class (a lot of people might be cringing at this opening sentence). It is true, though: there is so much pressure surrounding the summer and what exciting and exotic things everyone will be up to….
Fashion and the Fine Arts in the 20th Century
by Alice Fournier “The best of fashion is worthy of the name art”, said Norman Norell, a famous American designer in an interview with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967. And yet, art and fashion have always had a paradoxical relationship. According to Norell, one is constantly shifting and adapting to trends, the other…
Trials and Tribulations of the First Semester
By Anja Hermann Welcome to Zeeland! You made it to this distant “village” known as Middelburg near the edge of Europe, whether you took a 2-3 hour journey via the NS train, a ride in your parent’s car or took a 6-24 hour flight. You have arrived at this small place that some of your…