The only constant episode 2: residence manager Michel makes internationals far from home feel at home

Michel Meijer is the residence manager at the Xior student complex on the corner of campus Woudestein. As handyman and manager, he makes sure the studios and apartments of the 282 residents are well maintained. And he’s the familiar face for students who are often studying far from home.

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“Good morning!”, says Michel enthusiastically as he walks into the study area on the ground floor of the Xior building. Here and there, small groups of students are studying. The tables are covered with books, notebooks and laptops. “Getting some studying done?”, Michel asks one of the students, who greets him with a big smile. He continues and chats in English with a strong Dutch accent to another group of students. “I always say hello to everyone I meet. That way they know who I am, and it gives the students a bit of a home feeling.”

Michel is a familiar face in the building. As residence manager, or janitor, as Michel prefers to call himself, he spends the whole day doing repairs. His office is next to the building’s laundry room, where a dozen washing machines are constantly running. “The door is always open. Everyone’s welcome to drop by for a chat or a cup of coffee.”

The first Dutch person

Only international students live in the building. First-year students stay in the studios on the upper floors, while master’s students and PhD candidates from the Rotterdam School of Management live in the appartments on the ground floor of the building.

Michel is one of the only Dutch people amongst the internationals. For many residents, he’s the first Dutch person they meet. “Michel’s warm welcome made me feel at home straight away”, says a student from Greece. “He was super helpful. I had a problem with my wifi and he immediately helped me think of a solution.” Now, she stops by Michel’s office a few times a week for a chat. “He really is a constant factor in the building.”

Amongst the students

Michel is from Delft. That’s where he developed some prejudices about students. “All I ever saw were students partying, making a mess and not taking others into account.” Since working with students himself, that image has changed. “Now I see how hard they work, and how much they have to do to study. I’ve seen the other side.” And Michel’s students definitely study hard. “Sometimes I really have to say: ‘Put those books down and go into town for a bit, grab a drink or go to a party.’ I really have to remind them to enjoy themselves now and then.”

And it works. “Michel is kind of like the dad of the building”, jokes an RSM master’s student from Peru as she puts her laundry in the machine. “Then I’ve got a lot of kids!” Michel laughs. The student continues: “It’s so nice to have someone we can ask anything. I come from a country where even the washing machines work completely differently. I don’t know what I’d do without Michel.”

Helping students is important to Michel. Before becoming a janitor, he was a youth worker. “Helping is in my nature. I just want all the students to feel as good and comfortable here as possible.”