Maastricht through my eyesI decided to come to Maastricht after the advice of my sister(she has been here before for one day) and after seeing a few pictures of beautiful bridges over the Maas river. Despite the fact that Maastricht University was my third choice in my preference list, I put a picture of one of the best views of Maastricht on my desktop and became imagining my long walks around the river and pictures taken there by myself. And this actually happened.
January was too cold and windy that made the city to seem grey and boring. It destroys the beautiful image of the city in my brain; everything seemed simply here, even difficult; harder than I have imagined.
First days I was thinking about the stereotype model of Erasmus student. Do you know, that there is a real social pressure on Erasmus students? Everyone expected you to have fun- hangover, to take party pictures and put them on Facebook, tagging some foreign `friends` after the first week of arrival??! That is what people expected you to do and you try to meet their expectations. Otherwise, you turn to be disappointed. Maybe people are happy without partying; but the social pressure forces you to go to parties, because it is `obligatory` if you are an erasmus student, sorry dude! The stupid questions of my friends living home were annoying sometimes; `did you get some new friends?` `are you going out tonight?` if the answer is no, the respond was worse. -`Ohhh do not be such an anti-social person and find some cool friends` and long laugh afterwards.
I can not say that I had experienced a culture shock, but the things were working in a different manner. It was pretty far from what I had on my mind before coming here(had the same model of ERASMUS, which I explained previously); tutorials here seemed difficult than they seem now- two months later and I was lost, because I should pass these courses in order to finish school and in order to do my master degree so that to be closer to LOVE! Even these kind of tiny weird things were enough to make me upset. It was hard to communicate with people and adapt to the environment.
Actually, it was harder when I moved to Ankara. You can say that, there should not be a big culture shock, because culture in Azerbaijan and Turkey is similar; language is almost the same. However, that was a real trouble for me to make new friends there; it seemed like people around have hollow friendships and do not like or need each other indeed. People in my first class were using abusing language all the time, and I thought that is normal here and I should used to behave so, as well. Professors had a trouble in understanding my handwriting. They circled some words as a mistake, when the words were quite normal. The problem was usage of letters in a distinct way. I was totally shocked and lost. But later, things changed, I met different people from different backgrounds, different characters. So, as I have experienced it 4 years ago in Ankara, here in Maastricht though I found everything different than I thought it will be, it was easier to adapt. Here people are more relaxed, warm and open minded. This made me feel home(personally) and encouraged me to talk to people more.
Actually, it was harder when I moved to Ankara. You can say that, there should not be a big culture shock, because culture in Azerbaijan and Turkey is similar; language is almost the same. However, that was a real trouble for me to make new friends there; it seemed like people around have hollow friendships and do not like or need each other indeed. People in my first class were using abusing language all the time, and I thought that is normal here and I should used to behave so, as well. Professors had a trouble in understanding my handwriting. They circled some words as a mistake, when the words were quite normal. The problem was usage of letters in a distinct way. I was totally shocked and lost. But later, things changed, I met different people from different backgrounds, different characters. So, as I have experienced it 4 years ago in Ankara, here in Maastricht though I found everything different than I thought it will be, it was easier to adapt. Here people are more relaxed, warm and open minded. This made me feel home(personally) and encouraged me to talk to people more.
Classes in Maastricht are difficult: instructor chooses a student in order to lead the course. Moreover, every class we have a `chair`,who is responsible to lead the discussion and make a final comment on other students` interpretations about the subject. This means that, for every class we should go prepared as an instructor, and be ready to make other people to understand the topic. Instructor should `t talk much during the class. The system- PBL (Problem Based Learning) is totally different than what we have in Bilkent. We used to have long lectures and take some notes in order to study from those materials 2 weeks ,even less before the exam. In Bilkent, we can miss classes as well. What we need is to find notes from somewhere to be prepared for the exam and have a chance to pass the course.
Life here seems easy and fun. Carnival started on February 19 was so great that I really felt myself abroad and could enjoy it a lot. I just basically stared at people`s weird costumes or make ups to understand what it is. Parade, music, dances under the rain, ohh! I felt totally me: looking at people and smiling or taking pictures with whom you wish (that makes me happy and spread happiness around).
Colorful and small carnival city view was just stunning, after which we went for the carnival holiday to Berlin, later to Cologne. Although the weather was snowy and cold we could have an opportunity to visit a Museum Island in the center of Berlin and walk around Berlin DOM; we had been in DDR museum, Holocaust memorial, Nazi camp, in large and narrow streets of historical Berlin(even though the country has been destroyed during the Second World War). There was a smell of history on walls, especially in the Eastern part of the city. I would love to advise to visit DDR museum, where you can witness the marks of Nazi and Communist regimes. There you will have an opportunity to become a part of the Soviet Socialist Union even if for an hour.
Colorful and small carnival city view was just stunning, after which we went for the carnival holiday to Berlin, later to Cologne. Although the weather was snowy and cold we could have an opportunity to visit a Museum Island in the center of Berlin and walk around Berlin DOM; we had been in DDR museum, Holocaust memorial, Nazi camp, in large and narrow streets of historical Berlin(even though the country has been destroyed during the Second World War). There was a smell of history on walls, especially in the Eastern part of the city. I would love to advise to visit DDR museum, where you can witness the marks of Nazi and Communist regimes. There you will have an opportunity to become a part of the Soviet Socialist Union even if for an hour.
I did not like German people, they are even colder than I was expected them to be. Cologne however, seemed to me much warmer and nice. Maybe because of its location; 1) South people are always warmer. 2)the beauty of the river flowing through the center of the city made it to wear a nice cloth and seem more attractive.
I really really loved Chocolate museum, which was not only a museum, but also a chocolate factory, shop, cafe in one world my paradise!
I really really loved Chocolate museum, which was not only a museum, but also a chocolate factory, shop, cafe in one world my paradise!
Changing the climate affected my heath. I was sick for a week; fly, fever, eye infection. That period after Germany, I was staying home all the time, was not sleeping that much, was missing my mam, friends, and all that I used to love, need, have. I discovered that I have not thought about these stuff before, but sickness, sleeplessness reminded me what i have, where I am and unfortunately, emphasized my previous mistakes, failures. But I think that was a best answer to the question: why I am ME today.
Sickness is not always bad, it is a free time giving to you for thinking about your life while you are just lying down in the bed. I was thinking about what I want to change in my life, where I want to be and sure with whom :)
Sickness is not always bad, it is a free time giving to you for thinking about your life while you are just lying down in the bed. I was thinking about what I want to change in my life, where I want to be and sure with whom :)
Finally SPRING CAME after the longest winter of my life, with my mam`s and sister`s arrival to Maastricht. After having an hour evening talk around the table I realized how much I missed them. Family is a part of us, and we are carrying its pieces with us, wherever we go...
I realized that weather affects my mood more than songs. Can`t understand how people can be sad when the sun is shining, birds are singing and the only thing you need is to walk around, smell the caramel fragrance in the air, smile, laugh, hug, love. All the most beautiful things in life are given for free... Live your life fully.Enjoy each day, enjoy the city you are living.. even when people around spreading negative energy. Sometimes I just wanna cry as loudly as I can: People, Enjoy the the beauty of the spring!
Pictures taken by me in Maastricht
