{"id":85667,"date":"2018-04-03T14:59:33","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T12:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=85667"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:58","slug":"op-mezelf-wonen-zou-stukken-duurder-zijn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/04\/03\/op-mezelf-wonen-zou-stukken-duurder-zijn\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Living away from home would have been much more expensive\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Everything about him confirms that Jamie McAleenan (20), originally from Ireland, is a total gentleman. On agreeing that the EM reporter could join him, he advises wearing comfortable shoes. \u201cThe journey takes over two hours and we might not get a seat.\u201d Once on the way from Kralingse Zoom, he will only sit down if there\u2019s also a seat for the journalist. When he subsequently speculates aloud whether journalism is actually an art form, because it asks questions, inspires and stimulates, the charm offensive is complete.<\/p>\n

The NS regularly messes up<\/h2>

Incidentally, McAleenan speaks very little Dutch. The only things he understands are the NS announcements, he explains at Rotterdam Alexander station. \u201cI now know most of the times and routes of all the trains that stop here. You have to do something to pass the time when there\u2019s another delay. The NS regularly messes up \u2013 write that down!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Twelve years ago the family moved from Ireland to Arnhem for his father\u2019s work. \u201cBecause we went to an international school, I never learned the language.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s now in his second year studying history in Rotterdam. \u201cIt\u2019s the only English-taught history programme in the Netherlands. The alternative was to move to the UK or the US. But the political climate there doesn\u2019t appeal to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018I often take out my phone and play games or look at memes\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Churchill was a war criminal<\/h2>

What does he do while he\u2019s travelling? \u201cThe correct answer is that I get out my laptop and study. The honest answer is that I often take out my phone and play games or look at memes. If it\u2019s not too busy, I might even read a paper. If the subject\u2019s interesting, the journey can pass amazingly fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

After buying a snack at Utrecht Central \u2013 \u201cIt\u2019s difficult not to buy something\u201d \u2013 we get on the intercity to Arnhem. As we speed through the landscape of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, we discuss conspiracy theories about Winston Churchill. A total war criminal, according to McAleenan. On arrival in Arnhem, he needs a train to Arnhem-Zuid, so we say goodbye. He waves and goes down the steps, a two-hour journey done and still some way to go.<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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