Organisation - November 17, 2011
International students fear winter frosts
No-one enjoys having to travel in snow and ice but the international students living in the Maurits barracks in Ede fear the approaching winter will be a disaster for them.
The Maurits barracks have been home to 102 international students since August. While satisfied with the accommodation, most of the students were staggered by the daily bike ride, says student representative Emma Holmes. She says it came as ‘a big shock' to the many international students who only learnt to cycle in the Netherlands. They are therefore not at all happy about having to cycle over icy roads or through the snow, says Holmes. But a bus ride to campus costs 18 euros a week (12 euros with a discount pass). ‘Many students' finances are tight', says Holmes. ‘They also feel it isn't fair. They never expected to end up in Ede.'
The students' proposals of a shuttle bus or an allowance to cover part of the costs have been rejected by the university. However, a delegation from Wageningen UR will be visiting the Maurits barracks on 21 November to talk to the students.