{"id":119767,"date":"2020-11-16T15:22:50","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T14:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=119767"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:25:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:25:14","slug":"the-iss-during-the-pandemic-we-cant-make-it-easy-but-we-can-make-it-more-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/11\/16\/the-iss-during-the-pandemic-we-cant-make-it-easy-but-we-can-make-it-more-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"The ISS during the pandemic: ‘We can’t make it easy, but we can make it more fun’"},"content":{"rendered":"

As is the case for the rest of higher education, the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is currently undergoing a semi-lockdown. Commencing this academic year, students receive online education exclusively, and the EUR Institute’s premises in The Hague will only be accessible if students reserve a study spot in advance. Staff are doing everything in their power to provide students with a home, but mental health remains a significant problem that students are struggling with.<\/p>\n

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Masks from the ISS<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInternational Institute of Social Studies<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

There is a bottle of disinfectant hand gel at the entrance to the ISS building and a leaflet outlining the corona measures hangs there too. The hall where students normally go to study or chat is empty. Plexiglas has been installed between the chairs and desks in the reception area. \u201cThis is where we welcome our students who have just arrived in the Netherlands,\u201d communications advisor Sandra Nijhof points out.<\/p>\n

Despite the corona measures, the ISS is keen to welcome new students in person. This makes it easier for the staff to explain things and help students find their way around. \u201cOur students come from all over the world and are often not familiar with the Netherlands. We think it\u2019s too blunt to say: \u2018Pick up the key to your new room at the reception desk and sort it out yourself\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not all students have arrived yet<\/h2>

Most of the ISS students are international students doing their master\u2019s degree and PhD programmes. \u201cThe master\u2019s programme lasts a year and a half, so every year we have a new batch and an old batch,\u201d Nijhof says. There are 124 students from forty countries this academic year and 59 of them have meanwhile arrived in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Marianne van Dieren from the Admission Office welcomed a student from Rwanda today. In her office, welcome bags are on hand, including a map of The Hague, an ISS face mask and an ISS chocolate bar. \u201cIn pre-corona times, we welcomed all the students in one weekend and made a party out of it,\u201d she says. \u201cBut now we plan in a welcome chat with each person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018In pre-corona times, we welcomed all the students in one weekend and made a party out of it\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t–<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarianne van Dieren, Admission Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Half of the students have not yet been able to make the trip to the Netherlands, owing to visa problems or travel bans. And although they can follow online lectures from their homeland for now, the ISS still wants all the students to come to the Netherlands. \u201cObviously, it is not practical for students to be in different time zones when following lectures. Besides, they usually still live with their families and have a bad internet connection as well,\u201d Van Dieren explains. \u201cThey are better able to focus on their studies here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breakfast and lunch catered for<\/h2>

Most students are required to remain in quarantine for ten days after their arrival. But at least they do not have to worry about food. Sandy Kamerling, the owner of the legendary Butterfly Bar<\/a> on the second floor, makes care packages, e.g., bundles of fresh vegetables and other food for them. She also delivers breakfast and lunch to the students during those first ten days. \u201cThis makes them feel at least a little bit welcome.\u201d She also often writes a lovely message on the lunch bags. \u201cWe can\u2019t make it easy during a pandemic, but we can make it more fun,\u201d she says with a wink.<\/p>\n\n\t

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Een lijst van afbeeldingen<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t
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