![[editoriaal_vkd25] (© [Ine Cuypers] | dwars)](/sites/default/files/Ontwerp%20zonder%20titel_4.jpg)
Antwerp: Belgium’s capital of fashion and the heart of the diamond industry. For you, a student, glamour and glittering gems might not be important. But if you’re interested: our chic boutiques can be found near the Meir shopping street and our diamonds are located around the Central Station. We, on the other hand, suggest you discover the Stadscampus (the campus in the city centre) and its neighbourhood first, as it can seem like quite a maze. Luckily, we have a more appealing labyrinth for you to practise your orientation skills on page 22.
Did you already manage to find the lecture hall for your next class? Great! Have you found your favourite coffee shop yet? Perfect. Now you can start studying and enjoying your student life here, of course. You probably already had unforgettable university experiences at home and made lifelong friends there, but why shouldn’t there be room for some more? Curious as to what Antwerp’s student life has in store? Check out page 4 to learn more about local traditions and interesting clubs for you to join. Whether you’re a chess expert (page 21), a musical virtuoso (page 19) or you want to meet other students fascinated by African or Asian culture (pages 16 and 17), we’re sure there’s something for you. So, make sure to visit the open days and don’t just ‘send your cat’, as Flemish people call not showing up. If you’re eager to fit in with the locals, you can learn some typical Flemish words on page 13.
But most of all, welcome to Antwerp! This semester or year, you will embark on a great adventure with new people, new food, a new culture ... We here at dwars are really curious about all your future adventures, but who are we exactly and what do we mean by dwars?
It’s a fun Dutch word that has multiple meanings. If a tree has fallen over and now lies across the street and blocks vehicles from passing, then the tree is lying dwars. More figuratively, and more positively too, this student magazine loves to lie dwars as well. Similarly to a tree lying across the road, you are now forced to think for yourself and come up with a solution: will you wait until someone else calls the fire brigade? Will you turn around and find another street? Maybe you will look for a chainsaw and clear the road yourself?
Being a student in Antwerp requires you to make different, yet comparable choices: will you do nothing and wait – ‘look the cat out of the tree’, as Flemish people say? Will you ‘send your cat’, or will you give your feline friend a break and go out there and do it yourself? Whatever you choose, we wish you good luck, great friends and even better experiences!
- Log in to post comments