Britt
22 years, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Why Rotterdam?
"I hope I don't offend anyone but I really didn't like Rotterdam at all! But yes, this is where you can do this study, so I had to. And since I've been living here I've come to appreciate the city more and more. I found a room in Kralingen, in a cozy house with 6 girls. I was really lucky with that. I'm from The Hague, but now Rotterdam feels like home."
What did you learn in Rotterdam?
"In any case, that Rotterdammers are incredibly open. For my training I often have to interview people on the street. The first time you don't dare bother anyone, you are afraid they will get angry. But that never happens! Now I just stand at the Market Hall or Blaak station and have the nicest conversations. Actually, that's also something I've learned since living here: overcome your shyness and go for everything. In Rotterdam nobody thinks anything is strange."
Where should you be?
"I guess it depends on who you go out with. My roommates study public administration and economics, which are really different types than my fellow students at the Willem de Kooning. With my roommates I often stay in Kralingen, we go to cafes there or parties at other people's houses. I can also regularly be found around the Meent, at Bokaal's or Pierre's. And with my fellow students I go to exhibitions, at the Kunsthal for example."
What should you really do (or not do) as a freshman?
"I can recommend everyone to just go out and about. You have to kind of discover for yourself which neighborhoods and which joints suit you best. Especially take others with you or find others. If you get the chance to live in a dorm, I would do it. Then you'll immediately have friends for life. And in good company you can have fun everywhere."
What will you do?
"I'm going to get as much as I can out of my studies first. You can make it as intense as you want with us. We have 'stations' where you can work with all kinds of different materials. Ceramics, for example, or wood ... I'm going to go down them all! One art form has stolen my heart. I did an internship at a film company and I think that's so cool! Making films, directing - I want to continue with that. I don't know if that will work out in Rotterdam, agencies working with film are often in Amsterdam. But I'll probably come back here one day."
Britt's hotspots
Pierre - for coffee with friends
Goblet - cozy place on a beautiful square
Ninebar - nice place, nice and homey
Kunsthal - always nice exhibitions and good atmosphere
OX Space - fun creative place where you can take workshops, for example (temporarily closed)