Alec
Introduction
Kia Ora! My name is Alec Coles and I’m in my third and final year of my arts degree majoring in psychology and criminology. Ironically, I am a Dutch South African spending a semester abroad in the Netherlands at Utrecht University as an ambassador for the University of Auckland. I have been living in New Zealand for three years since moving from South Africa in 2020.
I’m a hardcore travel bug and foodie, always looking for new adventures and tasty treats. This is my second experience abroad as I spent one year in the US on a youth exchange programme in 2017, making the Netherlands the fourth country I’ll live in. I’ve found that in order to immerse yourself in a country’s culture, it’s best to build a life there, this is something I’m most looking forward to. I’m excited to experience the European lifestyle and learn about the finer details of Dutch culture.
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That’s a Wrap: A Semester in the Netherlands
It’s almost like the end of a fairytale, the only difference is no one prepares you for this very bitter sweet ending. Reflecting over the semester really helped me learn some valuable lessons: So my 6 months can simply be boiled down to those 3 sentences which resulted bittersweet ending (bitter only because it had…Continue…
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Half a Semester and The Changes it Brings
Well, for starters, the seasons certainly change. One week it’ll be snowing and the next there’s so much pollen in the air it might as well be snow. Utrecht in Spring was quite tragic in terms of allergies but beautiful in terms of nature. Every week the fields were a different colour with flowers: yellow…Continue…
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A Taste of Utrecht
Getting to Europe… well that’s another thing but oh the experiences you have when you’re here! I’m spending my semester abroad at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Utrecht is the perfect student town and here’s why: This block I have the standard two courses, however, I’m excited about the next block when I will have…Continue…