"We wanted to give our students the chance to use their Dutch in a practical way, in a setting that is both stimulating and supportive", says TCP's language coordinator for Dutch Katja Hunfeld. "Moreover, we found that many UT researchers are not fully aware of the many opportunities that the Sports Centre and Vrijhof Culture Department offer. Participating in these activities can greatly boost the integration of foreign researchers into the UT community, which can make their stay more fun."
But what if some course participants are not that sports-oriented, will their visit to the Sports Centre still be fun? "Oh yes, definitely", smiles coordinator Sanne Kleinenberg-Schoon, who organizes the project week on behalf of the Sports Centre, together with colleague Bas Reuvekamp. "You see, it's not at all about having to be overly sporty. The message we hope to get across is that doing sports in whatever form that suits you can be great fun and that by remaining active and fit you will do your muscles, as well as your body in general, a great favor. Besides this, we often find that foreign employees are not entirely aware of what we have to offer, not just to them, but also to their families. The time spent at the UT can be used to learn how to swim, for example."
To gain more insight knowledge, the visitors will be given a brief talk, while enjoying some tea and sweets, get a tour of the sports center and possibly participate in a quiz as well.
Needless to say the language during the visit will be 100% Dutch. Although in case of great misunderstandings, or other insurmountable complexities, additional information can be offered in English.
But it's not just the body that will be nourished. The next lesson will take people to the Vrijhof Culture Department. "We hope to give people an insight into the many activities that take places here: from making music, doing theatre sports and practicing yoga to engaging in painting and drawing and in crafts like creating objects from wood or metal," enthuses Joke Sanchez, the Arts Education Coordinator. "Doing something creative after work can be a great way to unwind, restore your energies and perhaps discover new parts of yourself."
Course participants will also get the opportunity to sharpen their singing skills and learn some typical Dutch songs in a workshop, which will be given by Janina Stopperka and Mathé Valks.
In short, the project week seems a nice activity to try and help international UT employees improve their Dutch as well as help them find out more about sports and cultural activities at the UT. But what about foreign undergraduates and Master students that are learning Dutch at the TCP, for example through the Getting Started with Dutch courses?
"This is the first pilot of the project," says Hunfeld. "But if it turns out to be positive, we may extend the project week to include undergrads and Master students as well."
