10 Years | Summer Edition 2018/19

avoidance area cover design V. 2.0

Logo area M A A S T R I C H T D I P L O M AT

Helvetica Neue 75 Bold, 300 pt.

Action area 90°

Sub-action area

10 years 90°

Helvetica Neue 75 Bold, 150 pt.

Title section

stretch margin main title

Maastricht and the MD Helvetica Neue 75 Bold, 60 pt., leading 48 pt.

Action area (bleed section) avoidance area

Circle right: first eye-catching point (place large items there) Circle left: Second eye-catching point (place action/sub-action here) 1 2 3 reading pattern: from logo to 1 (main point of interest), to 2 (second point of interest), to 3 (title), reads like a strip.

TEAM head: Simon Pompé co-head: Michael Keith editing supervisor: Ella Goemans art director: Steff Nagel writers (in alphabetical order):

Chirine Chalak Kodie Chontos Ceren Cingi Dan Edwards Ella Goemans Julia Hönnecke Greta Koch Matthijs Lenaerts Mowgli Legein Gaia Lisi Carolin Lurz Nadine Meertens Steff Nagel Kavya Narayanan Amelie Ohler Mia Penn Charlotte Pion Simon Pompé Samantha Scarpa Ferraglio

Marie-Sophie Silan Stella Theocharidou Cover: Steff Nagel Photography: Mowgli Legein Summer Edition Copyrighted 2019

2

EDITORIAL

Simon’s note Dear friends, This is summer edition of the Maastricht Diplomat marks the 10th anniversary of our little journal. I am immensely proud of the fact that we have contributed to Maastricht’s student and media discourse for a decade.

We saw this as an opportunity to reflect on this city’s vibrant community here. Turn the page to read about local activism, peculiar corners nestled between brick-walled alleys, and the amazing people that populate this old town. You will find that Maastricht’s microcosmic bubble is intensely diverse, with all the good and bad bits that come with it. In Maastricht, globalisation and local identity clash and fuse. With confidence, I’d say this this edition is both our most local one to date. This time, we opted for a photographic design that centres around our city.

We hope you enjoy reading and learning about the city that has been your home for the past year or longer. This is the current MD team’s last edition, and it sure feels bittersweet.

The MD will be here for 10 years more, I am sure.

Much love,

Simon Pompe

4

The Buckriders The story of an infamous group of bandits.

20

Lovely Community The Mandril and the freedom of culture.

6

When stress takes takes over II:

22

International Students

The Pros and Cons of having an international city.

University Strikes Back!

8

The Legacy Treaty

24

Livin’ the student life What it means to be part of a students community.

26

Finding Work A Guide for international students.

28

Housing Crisis

The Maastricht Treaty and our city.

10

Hidden Face

On the darker side of Maastricht.

12

The Smallness of Being

A personal account of life in Maastricht.

14

Heroism & Flaws

The issues students encounter with rental agencies.

30

Global Charity What can you do for the benefit of others?

32

The Bookstore On a place worth visiting once in a while.

34

Student Magazines A reflection on that what we are.

On how we conduct our Environmental Movement.

16

10 Years The ever-changing design of the Maastricht Diplomat.

18

Past Covers

3

MYTH

The Buckriders “We were on a crossroads near Sittard, when our leader called out. At his call, a certain oblong black machine or perhaps goat came, which we all got on at the same time after encouragement of our leader. We were with a company of 42 men that night. We flew in a moment, or four hours to Roermond, where we robbed several places, only to fly back home again the same evening.”

This is the testimony of Matthijs Smeets on the 16th of September 1773, who was hanged for his crimes on February 8th 1774. The confession as detailed above is a very loose translation. Which was hard to avoid since the actual testimony was in an old Dutch dialect, and today almost seems as if from another, more fantastical world. This birthes ambiguities in meaning, as the following will show.

But let us start at the beginning. What were these crimes he was hanged for? What was he charged for? He was ultimately executed for being a (suspected) member of The ‘Buckriders’. The ‘Buckriders’ or Bokkenrijders in Dutch, were a thieving ‘gang’ that were prosecuted in the 18th century. The basic story goes that they roamed Limburg stealing, vandalising, terrorising, and murdering. The impact this ‘gang’ had at that time was big, and even still is today.

This legendary gang made a lasting impact on the local culture of the Maastricht region, the story has become intertwined with our identity. These stories shaped who we are today, through the stories that are told by our parents, hopefully to be passed on again by us. Perhaps you too have an interest in knowing more about all of these incredible legends that Limburg has to offer, then perhaps this might peak your interest. Because in order for these incredible stories, and this rich history to be remembered, they have to be told.

But what are buck riders? Buck is a rather incorrect translation. The Dutch word ‘bok’ is equivalent to the animal family Caprinae, but in this specific case, we are referring to a male goat. So this gang should actually be called the goat riders, when translated to English. The stories surrounding this ganga are numerous and they all vary, as is the case for most legends. Some say that these people could see in the dark, some ascribe other powers to them, but the main attribute they are known for is their means of transportation. They allegedly rode bucks. To join this gang, members had to denounce God and thereby sell their soul to the devil. The riding of the buck/goat was equivalent to a devil’s pact. This sounds familiar because the association between goats and the devil or evil in general is an ancient one.

The bible is actually one of the sources for this (Matthew 25:31-33), namely the imaging of Jesus as a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats, the good from the evil.

4

So when these people were labelled ‘Buckriders’, they were labeled as being in a pact with the devil. Accordingly, they were pure evil. When you then hear the stories of what this gang did, you begin to understand why this analogy came to be. Their aim was to gain money. This group mainly consisted of the disenfranchised poor, of which there were many at this time in Limburg. Allegedly, their tactics were to spread fear, one of their methods was by sending ‘burn letters’. They pushed letters underneath the doors of people threatening to burn down their houses if they did not do as they were told. There are many stories like this, where these people were described doing horrible things.

However, there is another side to this story.

One that makes you rethink the level of imagination and exaggeration in these tales. We know these stories mainly from trials of suspected members, like the one by Matthijs Smeets. Our sources are the court trials against them. The only side we know is that of the wealthy and church who were very much against this group of people, for obvious reasons. Them being a group is already a fable.

Instead, there were numerous groups of thieves and other poor people trying to come by and resorting to these means. There are stories of them flying on goats to rob many places in one night, because they seemed to be everywhere at the same time. Which might have been because they were. Another reason why our sources on this are questionable has to do with the prosecution of these people.

The way these ‘buckriders’ were prosecuted was very similar to the witch trials. Differing, however, in the fact that you could be accused of being a ‘buckrider’ no matter your gender or age. Anyone who fell outside of the norm, even slightly, could be accused and would then be tortured until they admitted to the crime. This also gave rise to some of the craziest stories about them. The weirder your story, the more time was necessary to investigate it and the longer you would live. If you came up with a whole plot and involved many other people suspected of being ‘buckriders’, you would live longer, because the church and authorities had to investigate your story. Matthijs Smeets, for instance, got to live for about six months until he was hanged, while most suspects were hanged far quicker than this.

This is exactly what the trial of Matthijs Smeets was known for. A confession achieved through torture details the state of complete delerium the accused was in. In hindsight, the image of 42 people riding one goat, albeit a large one, seems ridiculous and laughable.

When asked about his confession later, Smeets actually said the following: “‘als sulx niet waer te wesen, hebbende sulx alleen uyt pijn gesegt”. This likely means that he stuck to his overall statement but the

Nadine Meertens goat’s involvement he suggests might have been invented only under brutal investigation methods. These methods of extreme torture were applied to all those suspected, besides the mentally retarded or pregnant women. The way the torture was applied was that a suspect was only convicted to death if they confessed their crimes, which almost everyone did. Most of the suspects that were hanged were men, the woman that were hanged were all the wives of other suspects. There was no mention in the reports of a woman being hanged solely for crimes committed by herself.

Historians explain that these are not the workings of a one big old Limburgian organised criminal organisation. No, these were poor people robbing places as an easy way to get food.

Yes, there were some groups but overall, these crimes were likely committed by small groups or individual people all over the place. This is also what added to the legend they became, as they seemed to be everywhere. The only way for one group to move this quickly from place to place is through a fast way of transport (flying goats?). Or perhaps it was because there were more than a few poor people who used the overwhelming amount of fear circling throughout society to their advantage. But do not let this fool you into an image of the courageous Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. These were the poor, stealing from anyone who had anything of value, for their own families and gain. Even more importantly, the crimes were often rather violent, or at least that is what we can tell from the testimonies and records we have today about ‘burn letters’ and murders. But then again, these sources are highly questionable and probably extremely biased.

Not all of those accused of being a ‘buckrider’ were innocent, because some were not.

Nonetheless, knowing these stories matters.

The impact of these events on Maastricht and the surrounding villages at that time was huge, and yet, today hardly anyone still knows the stories. Not only is this story a good example of the effects of social polarization and disenfranchisement of certain groups of people in society, but it also informs us about who we are and where we come from. The stories of the evil in our society, the monsters that come knocking in the dark change as our society does. Yet, the idea of men on goats roaming the countryside, robbing places and murdering people still seems absolutely terrifying, probably because goats are just creepy. This story is worth telling and hopefully someone turns it into a movie one day because the premise is hilarious.

5

UNIVERSITY

6

The Stress Takes Over Episode II Greta Koch

A

few months ago, Maastricht Diplomat published an online article on how mental health problems, especially stress-induced ones, are becoming more common among the student population in Maastricht. This development did not go unnoticed by University staff, and students who reached out for help know that the University already provides support through student advisors at each faculty and University psychologists at the Student Services Center (SSC).

However, those who did reach out also know that getting help takes time, due to the sheer number of students who seek advice or council. The waitlist at the SSC is particularly long, as getting an appointment with the UM psychologists can take more than four weeks. That is time somebody with a serious stress-induced condition does not have. Issues such as anxiety are not like the mole that you should get checked “sometime soon”. It can eat up all your energy, make you uncapable of continuing your studies and living this way for weeks seems unbearable.

Maastricht University is currently trying to resolve such issues and provide better service for the students. I talked to Mieke Jansen, the team leader of the UM psychologists; Oscar van den Wijngaard, UCM academic advisor, and Project Manager for Retention and Student Persistence at EDLAB, the education innovation institute of UM; as well as Julia Bacci Aggio, team leader of the student organisation Heart2Heart, on how to improve mental health care, raise awareness and strengthen student resilience in the Maastricht student community.

Aware of the problems with providing adequate mental health care at the University, new so-called “Quality Agreements” for the period of 2019-2024 have been agreed upon at UM. One of the themes included in these agreements is student guidance, putting the student at the centre. “Many criticise the approach for pampering students, but it’s quite the opposite” van den Wijngaard says. Since taking a position at the EDLAB, he still continues his work as academic advisor at UCM – although he prefers not to call it mentoring or advising, but fostering “self-efficacy”: through such meetings, the student is not deprived of their responsibility, but learns to take control

The University Strikes Back over it. “Burnouts occur because you have too much to do and no control over it” he says, “because deadlines are set by others”.

Through meetings with their study advisors or mentors, students learn to see that failures or successes in their studies do not “just happen to them” - because of sheer bad luck or because the tutor liked or hated them – but that any outcome can be influenced by their own actions. Students need to regain the feeling of control by striving towards their own goals, as part of their own plan.

Many students hate it when being asked “What is it that you study? What can you do with it?” van den Wijngaard says, because the answer can already be overwhelming.

Especially students of generalist programs like European Studies or Liberal Arts can relate. And realising that your studies are very much part of your own course towards your own goals can help you answer this hated question – and help you regain a sense of control. Knowing what one’s own goals are also helps to prioritise what is really important – and where it is not as important to score perfectly - “Part of stress is lack of control and that is something that, in the end, will always be your own decision”. In order to increase this kind of resilience among students, Oscar van den Wijngaard hopes that soon, every first year student will have an assigned mentor at every faculty, which is also included in the Quality Agreements.

Having increased mentoring coverage also takes the pressure off UM psychologists, who struggle to meet the demand of students wanting to talk to them. The shortage of appointments available cannot be met by simply increasing staff due to financial constraints– “we would need 20”, Mieke Jansen says. However, the Quality Agreements provide other options to tackle this problem, for instance through peer review. The idea is that students who feel the urgent need to talk to someone can get in touch with other students who have been trained by UM psychologist staff, Psychology Master students for instance.

While they do not have the permission to treat other students themselves, they serve as a first “open-ear” in a safe space. Sometimes, it already helps students to get something off their chest. And if the problem is bigger than that, the peers know who to refer them to.

This idea will also be put in place through

the student organisation “Heart2Heart”.

Julia Bacci Aggio, a European Law Student at UM, founded the organisation back in 2017, winning 2nd place in a student idea competition. Since then, this idea grew into a team of 10 students organising awareness events and working on such a peer-listener program, for which they are currently looking for students to become listeners.

Moreover, they are working on a connection map, providing information such as where to find specialists for very specific mental health issues, or psychology services in specific languages. Also, information on insurance will be included. Since Julia is graduating, she will put the project in the hands of her team - and they are looking for new members. The events they organise are a mix of bigger awareness events as well as smaller get-togethers, creating a safe space where students can exchange their experiences with suffering from mental health problems.

Such events and meetings to strengthen awareness and support are also part of the Quality Agreements. This can include lectures on how to handle stress, resilience trainings and mindfulness exercises. This was already happening during UM’s wellbeing week, but the university wants to provide continuous opportunities to that end, Mieke Jansen says.

In addition, Maastricht University wants to become a so-called “caring university”, a programme set up by the World Health Organisation that the University of Amsterdam, for instance, is already part of. They develop online modules to help students and through mental health questionnaires, UM would get a more detailed insight into the well-being of its students and help monitor their progress.

Through such initiatives, UM will hopefully be on track to increase student well-being in Maastricht and that way stress no longer takes over.

7

EUROPEAN UNION

8

The Legacy of the Wiebke Stimming Maastricht Treaty

O

n February 7th, 1992, the leaders of Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Portugal signed a historic treaty in the small Dutch town of Maastricht or the Treaty on the European Union (TEU). These twelve countries were all members of the European Communities and by signing the Maastricht Treaty, they had transformed the European Communities into a political Union.

In little over a decade this Union would enlarge to a total of 25 countries by welcoming states from the former Eastern bloc. But since 1992, the EU has gone through many ups and downs.

One of its first members might leave the Union this year. Therefore, in this printed edition about Maastricht, an important question is: What is the Legacy of the Maastricht Treaty?

What are its successes and its shortcomings?

The idea of a European Union The Maastricht Treaty formally established the European Union by bringing the existing European Communities together into one political entity. For that purpose, the treaty serves as primary law today, together with the Lisbon Treaty of 2007. In case you need a little reminder what the intentions behind the Maastricht treaty were, let’s begin with a little historical background: it is the early 90’s, the Iron Curtain had just been lifted and the Cold War had ended, leaders anticipated the inclusion of the ‘Eastern bloc’ into the European Communities. To that end, the Maastricht Treaty was supposed to reform or establish a political structure that would function well despite a large number of member states. Maybe the most important thing to know is that it was the first piece of written legislation which outlined Union competence, thereby defining and limiting the powers of the EU. Leaders viewed enhanced multinational cooperation as possible solution to many issues which were of particular concern at the time. For instance, increasing multinational cooperation between police was designed to solve cross border crime. Another aspect was to bring Europe closer to the people, which is why European citizenship was introduced, which de-facto allowed anyone from one EU member state to live and work in any other EU state. Only 3 years later, leaders further increased this freedom of movement by abolishing border controls between most EU states when establishing the Schengen area.

Yet, it remains questionable how successful the introduction of this EU citizenship has been. Many hoped that it would bring an end to nationalism and advance the European identity. While there has been some development towards higher identification with Europe and European citizenship, nationalism and especially populism have seen a strong rise recently, indicating that Europe’s problems are far from solved.

A single European currency – the Euro

policy instrument was meant as an additional tool for European cooperation. The basic idea behind this was to strengthen the role Europe played on the global stage. By coordinating and having a single foreign policy, the weight of the EU states would be greatly increased, as 12 states have more leverage than one state alone. Furthermore, this would also increase effectiveness of foreign policy actions such as sanctions. Because foreign policy is so far reaching, states were supposed to give up a lot of their sovereignty in areas like migration, arms trade, foreign trade, development aid, enlargement and a European neighborhood policy. And since Maastricht, the foreign policy has undergone its fair share of reforms, like the introduction of the post of High Representative who acts as foreign minister of the Union.

Despite the outstanding initiatives that were launched under the framework of CFSP, like peace-keeping missions all over the world or the nuclear deal with Iran, the Union continuously fails to speak with a unified voice vis-à-vis third countries. One reason for this failure is the voting method that is employed, as states have to reach a unanimous agreement which is almost impossible, given the size and diversity of the Union today. As a result, the Union frequently fails to take decisive action, since statements are watered down so as not to compromise anyone’s national interest. In particular trade negotiations continue how weak the European ‘voice’ is. Instead of negotiating one common trade deal for example, countries often enough have separate deals in order to maximize their national economic benefits.

This not only reduces the effectiveness of the Union, but it also creates more losers than winners, as common trade deals would increase the total Union welfare, and not only benefit one single country.

In total, there is so much the Maastricht Treaty achieved and while being far from perfect or even consistent in its implementation, its legacy carries on until today with numerous policies we now take for granted. Some of them have everyday implications for almost all Europeans like EU citizenship or no longer having to exchange currencies for a multitude of countries. Moreover, Maastricht was only a stepping stone for further integration like the establishment of the Schengen area. Still so much of the Maastricht legacy is compromised because leaders cannot fully agree so the implementation is faulty, lacks coherence or is simply incomplete. This is an issue the Union is struggling with even today, as there is still a lot of disagreement on the future of Europe. With the additional challenges of climate change, globalization and populism the debate is very much ongoing, and a prompt resolution of the long-running challenges seems unlikely. Still, one cannot deny that despite everything, the A new policy area Maastricht created a new Union compe- Union has persisted, which hints at the cheesy tence namely in the newly set up Common truth: Europe is stronger united.

Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This In the late 20th century, leaders were discussing which direction Europe should take. The debate leading up to the Maastricht Treaty is in many ways similar to the debate we still have today. Should there be more integration and more Europe, or less? Should all states need to implement the same level of integration?

One of the key issues which was discussed was related to the Single European Market, which was created only a few years earlier.

Some saw the next step of European integration as a single currency. During the negotiations in Maastricht, the politicians were encouraged to sit in a café on the Markt or Vrijthof and observe the people passing by. Maastricht’s geographic location in combination with its natural charm had always drawn in numerous tourists and the politicians quickly understood the benefits a single currency would bring to border cities and regions. In a region where two borders are less than an hour away, having three different currencies significantly limited movement and business.

However, from the get-go, the set-up of the Euro was deeply flawed, with no real enforceable limits and checks on public debt and no mechanism in place that could solve or at least soften a serious economic crisis. When the financial crisis hit the world in 2008, the Euro members were faced with very weak and highly indebted Southern states. These had to be bailed-out in order to keep them in the single currency, as states had given up their ability to use monetary policy (printing more/ less money) by adopting the Euro.

Apart from the ‘obvious’ problem, another issue prevails until today: inequality of prices.

This becomes particularly apparent in the Eastern and Southern states who adopted the Euro as their currency. Not only are there significant price differences spanning across the content, but at the same time, wages are significantly lower in the South and East compared to the North and West. This results in inequality of opportunities and migration to Western states. An additional shortcoming of the Euro is that it is to this date not the only currency of the Union. Numerous states like Denmark or Poland have not yet adopted the Euro. And after the financial crisis, an enlargement of the Eurozone in the near future seems highly unlikely. Still, this is not to say the creation of the Euro has been a total disaster. It has increased the political and economic weight of Europe, as it is frequently used for trade and is often regarded as one of the world’s most stable, healthiest stores of value. Therefore, it was also adopted by some non-EU countries like Montenegro. Thus, it has also greatly facilitated travel and trade within Europe.

9

CRIMINALITY

10

Charlotte Pion

W

hat could happen in our quiet and cosy city of Maastricht?

This little city with old and pretty houses, nestled in the south of the Netherlands, where an international bubble is living to the rhythm of the University; it all seems pretty inoffensive. The first time I arrived in Maastricht, the first impression I had about the city, is that it is way safer than where I am from. I couldn’t see any officers walking in the streets, just students running for their classes and people living quietly. At night, I never saw it as a problem to walk alone in the dark to go to a bar or to go back home. I always felt secure and I think it is the general idea that people have when they come in Maastricht. Once I even thought that the city was really empty after 9 o’clock and could barely imagine how so many students were living in such a quiet city.

But what if I told you that not long ago, Maastricht was the second most criminal city in the Netherlands? How could such a small city be the site of many more crimes and be more dangerous to live in, crime wise, than in Rotterdam or The Hague?

Compared to other countries in Europe, The Netherlands is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. The fact that the law is strictly enforced everywhere makes the crime rates very low unlike certain southern countries. Even though drugs and prostitution are allowed, these sec-tors are under constant surveillance in order to avoid overflows. But the Netherlands are far from being a white sheep, and Maastricht is well positioned to be part of the gloomy side of the country. In 2015, studies from the government showed that Maastricht was second after Amsterdam in terms of crime rates. There are different factors which influenced this result, and the main one is the easiest one to figure: drugs. Drug dealing wasn’t a real problem in Maastricht until 2012, when the Dutch government imposed a drug ban for foreigners, forbidding them to enter coffeeshops to consume drugs. This ban was created particularly because what we know as ‘drug trips’ became a real issue, especially in Limburg. Many people

The Hidden Face of Maastricht coming from France, Belgium, Germany or Luxembourg were visiting Maastricht for the pleasure of being able to consume drugs legally. This led to long lines of people waiting in front of coffeeshops or the famous Mississippi ‘drug boat’ and people under narcotics wandering in the streets.

The ban was supposed to resolve this problem but instead it gave rise to another.

As coffeeshops were closed for foreigners, they did as they do in every other country: they obtain it illegally. Drug dealing became more important and blurred the line between soft and hard drugs, making it more dangerous for unaware users.

Different violent crimes could be related to drugs, such as the murder of a PhD student in 2014 by a Belgian thief under drugs or the fatal stabbings of 3 people. Indirectly, it also impacted the cities such as Liège which in its turn became a new drug-trafficking hub.

It is an open secret now that Maastricht was the ‘drug road’ to the rest of Europe, as it is perfectly situated between Aachen and Liège. For a long time, and it’s said that it’s still the case today, that drug dealers from The Netherlands made their way through Maastricht before spreading their package thought Europe, passing by the long Tongersweg which starts not far away from SBE. But again, it’s one of these secrets whispered in the city from one ear to the other.

However, drugs are not the main issue present in Maastricht. Besides the frequent bike thefts and car vandalism made in broad daylight in areas under surveillance or the many burglaries reported to the police, there is one place in Maastricht that gathered all the vices of the city. The Alla. It is closed by now, but all students know about it. It was one of the only places opening till late at night where everyone went to drink and dance (and other stuff). Two years ago, a police raid at the nightclub unveiled the dark side of the place and gave enough evidence to close it after two years of investigations.

Behind the main room of the club was a small hidden roomwhere illegal trafficking took place, such as weapons or narcotics.

The club was already infamous for all the horrible and creepy things which happens during nights out, such as the use of GHB and other drugs on girls to take advantage of them but this raid meant the end of this.

However, this problem of GHB use is still a problem as it has been said to happen in the cafeCliniq. So watch your drinks.

So, is Maastricht still the cosy city it is in your eyes? It is true that Maastricht has two faces; the calm and pretty one with all the nice places that we know and where we enjoy spending time. But Maastricht also has its hidden face, stained by the vices that many cities have to deal with.

If the centre of Maastricht is known to be quiet, what happens beyond Emmaplein and behind the station is another story. The surroundings of Maastricht are not as calm as pretended. The last two years, several fatal stabbings occurred, for different reasons such as gangs fights or recently a 27 years old man was arrested after a national search for serious stabbing incidents and the murder of 2 persons. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean that Maastricht is a dangerous place to live in. Far from it. I think that our city is very safe and as a girl, I never felt as safe alone in the dark night as in Maastricht’s little streets. It’s even pleasant to think that we can go out in the middle of the night without being scared of what might happen to usat the second we put a foot out. When the only worry we have is to find our bike back or even be able to unlock it and ride it on the uneven roads in our drunken states.

However, as soon as we started to study in this city, we became part of it, and I think it is important to be aware of its bright and dark sides.And don’t worry, since 2015 the situation has improved as we’re only at the 7th in the line of the most dangerous cities in the Netherlands but this is mainly because of the many thefts of bikes and burglaries rather than dangerous crimes.

So don’t hesitate to enjoy the safety of our little Maastricht, but remember that it is important to keep an eye on what is happening.

11

MUSING

On the smallness of being

12

en years ago, when the Maastricht Diplomat first started, I was a pre-pubescent child getting ready to start my Secondary School experience. I was a tiny thing running through the halls of a school large enough to host three separate schooling forms. To be fair, I had always been something small in something far larger; whether it be a child in the vastness of the Scottish country-side, or a backpacker exploring Europe. There has always been a bigness connected to my life.

T

Behind the Mandril and the carpark at the foot of the Statensingle, there is an expanse of green. It looks overgrown, poorly kept, and broken bikes and beer cans are littered between the bushes.

There are train tracks running through the grass, which had once been part of the network belonging to the paper industry. The fourth, unused, bridge running over the Maas belonged to that same network. On Google maps you can follow the railway to just across the border where it ceases to exist.

Until Maastricht happened. Of course, Maastricht was nestled on the banks of the Maas long before I even existed, but it provided me with an experience I had never felt before. I no longer felt like a drop of oil in the surface of a lake, moving seamlessly between bodies of water; I was a drop of water in a pond. Maastricht was explorable, nothing was ever too far away, and I felt I could get beneath the surface.

To me, Maastricht is not just another city where you can let yourself disappear, it is a place where you are always something to someone. Just as I had always been small before, I am now always something. And I have been a lot of different somethings, good and bad. But that is another story entirely.

When looking at this city, it is easy to see its charm. It does not belong between other Dutch cities, but it is neither German nor Belgian in its appearance either. It is unique in its winding streets, architecture and feel.

Maastricht is a place you think you know like the back of your hand after the first year. However, there is still so much of it that feels undiscovered.

Behind several houses of the Capucijnenstraat there are gardens leading up the slight hill which used to be a street. Sometimes there are houses hidden behind other houses through Maastricht. There are buildings, and even a coffee shop, built over tributaries of the Maas. Near the library there is a court yard where you can see a fully functioning mill turning. Just imagine if you could have full access to all the gardens and court yards in this small city, imagine what you could find.

Ella Goemans

stay too long or visit the wrong places.

This love for a city in which you do not wish to stay, is something I’ve heard from many people studying here.

Besides the strangeness of the mixture between students and the local communities, Maastricht doesn’t quite bear the same opportunities other cities do. Where Rotterdam, Frankfurt, and New York have their working districts, Maastricht only has a small collection of buildings near Ceramique, and two of those house telemarketers. Besides the University, there is not much reason for most students to stay here.

Even annual events such as TEFAF and André Rieu’s concerts can be accessed without needing to live in the city. Maastricht becomes a place to stop by, unless perhaps you want to raise a family here.

In Maastricht I do not feel as small as I did before. The city’s smallness makes you feel at home and there is a lot of beauty here. However, beauty is not enough to convince anyone to stay. Had Maastricht been bigger, had Maastricht been a centre of anything, it would have been a place to build a However, there is something about life. Soon, after my studies have been Maastricht which does not inspire wrapped up, I will return to the smallme to stay. While it makes me feel ness of being. like a part of something, despite the beautiful little streets and its vibrance, Maastricht has its dark sides. I will go as far as to say that Maastricht feels like a person. It welcomes you with open arms, drawing you in with its charm before it shows you that it is not quite so innocent. A strange air is created with the mixing of students and the locals, an air which tolerates your existence, but could turn on you if you

13

ENVIRONMENT

14

Heroism & Flaws of Julia Hönnecke Environmentalism

O

n the 11th of May several hundred people walked through Maastricht screaming phrases such as ‘power to the people’, or ‘like the ocean we rise’ and ‘change your diet, not the climate. Eat the rich!’, demanding from politicians to finally recognize climate change as the crisis it is.

The past year has seen increasing mobilization and action all over the world, including people from different gender, religion, race and age, all combined under the common denominator of fighting for climate justice.

Already in the 20th century environmentalist groups worldwide have tried to change the future in order to prevent climate change. The social and environmental conditions which gave rise to those groups in the first place have continued, if not intensified. It is not especially prophetic to expect increasing waves of environmentalism and activism in the next decades.

But, while there is a common goal to raise awareness and fight for action of governments, the methods to reach those goals differ.

It comes to no surprise that this movement has reached vibrant, international Maastricht.

Part of the local climate march was a growing number of students who consider themselves slightly more committed to the cause than others. One of those is an Italian student called Gabriele, who has lived in Maastricht for two years, and who is part of a grass-root group Extinction Rebellion, XR for short, for 6 months.

XR is a social movement founded in 2018 which uses non-violent resistance to protest against climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and ecological collapse. The failure of governments to act provided XR activists with the moral duty to rebel. Scientific sources calling for action are plenty, such as IPCC, or the last UN report, stating that no less than 1 million animals and plants are endangered due to human actions. Justification can also be found in other peaceful activists, such as Nelson Mandela and M.L. King, who have both been arrested then and are seen as heroes now. It is rather easy to understand which motives inspired XR. Watching the news reporting hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and unusual hot summers or cold winters, makes one think that more direct action might be necessary. While environmentalist groups have existed for decades, business lobbyists still have a more efficient and faster access to policy-makers than NGO’s or other groups fighting for humans and planet earth existence have ever had. Growing frustration about EU and UN-Members failing to act upon their promises made in the Paris Agreement, as well as the fear over uncertainty due to lack of action, is understandable for a vast number of people. Why then, has ‘Friday’s

for Future’, or other marches alike, managed to mobilize millions of people, while many of those already committed to the cause, oppose radical environmentalist actions? Generally, it is not the fact that XR activists advocate climate action that splits the local population; it is how they do it.

Conceptually, Extinctions Rebellion’s goal is non-violent, respectful, and disruptive action to raise attention through possibly sacrificing something, such as missing school days or getting arrested. Practically, in Maastricht this means DIE-IN’s, protests, road blocking, graffiti and posters spread throughout the city. While not one person has been hurt by the measures of the group, activists have been arrested. Criticism has been expressed by fifty activist groups in an ‘open letter to Extinction Rebellion’ on May 3rd. While the letter encourages XR’s activism, it highlights the consequence of radicalism: mainly the exclusion of a big part of the population. The main advice to XR is to do more in spirit of their principles which say they “are working to build a movement that is participatory, decentralized and inclusive”. It is safe to assume that the purpose of XR action is public awareness and popular support. Worldwide, as well as in Maastricht, the group struggles to sway citizens who believe in different methods of disobedience. XR Maastricht, for example, used road blocking in April to gain awareness on climate issues. They justified their action by saying that the climate crisis is so urgent that strong disobedience and radical solutions are needed. However, who is actually targeted by road blocking? Is it the government, police, state or municipality; the people who are in power positions? Or is it the citizens XR needs to include and mobilize in their actions, and is relying on for support, in order to be influential, that are targeted by road blocking? While many Maastricht locals can relate to the pressure to do something against the way the climate crisis is dealt with, XR needs to understand that actions such as road blocking and spraying graffiti on a 13th century city wall seem like ‘blind activism’ for many. Some actions express the helpless call to do something, rather than focusing on how this helps to reach the groups goals.

All over the news one can watch European journalists strongly criticizing XR’s actions.

It seems that in some ways the radical aspect might be overshadowing actual goals. Some newspapers compare radical environmentalism with the new far-right populism and the FBI goes as far as labelling it as US’s biggest terrorist threat in 2005. But let us take a step back.

While it is understandable that some actions involving risk towards people have generated criticism, labelling it as a terrorist threat, goes

too far. Until now, Extinction Rebellion activists worldwide, while being arrested, have strictly protested in line with their non-violent, but disruptive values. Gabriele says: ‘We are really happy about the feedback we have gotten so far. Extinction Rebellion in Maastricht and worldwide is taking all kind of local participation very seriously. Even if you do not agree with our 10 values online, please feel free to contact us and help us set our goals and measures. We need your constructive feedback and participation to grow and improve’ Generally not just students, but people from different age groups, political ideologies and occupation join XR. A 70-year-old British doctor got arrested in London after being a member of XR for 1 month: ‘I got this fantastic sense of relief that I’d actually done something about the environment’, he says. When asked about road blocking, he continues: ‘We have got to balance the disruption that we are causing, with the disruption we are saving in the long run.’ A mother of two kids involved in Extinction Rebellion says: ‘The government acts like a badly-behaved parent, so the child must rebel. And it is the burden that tips you into feeling you have to take some action when the government, who is supposed to represent you, does not take up the responsibility.’

The global decline of biological and cultural diversity, which gave rise to radical environmentalist groups in the first place has intensified. All over the world, as well as in Maastricht, an increasing number of people are convinced more direct action is necessary.

There is a growing fear that we humans will miss our chance to change our way of living to the extent necessary to survive. Going out on the streets, protesting, blocking roads, and spreading posters throughout a city seems like rather small inconvenience for others, compared to what is at stake. As long as this different kind of lobbying is not successful in reaching the people responsible and capable of change environmentalists will continue. To do so, Extinction Rebellion Maastricht needs to find a way to reach local Dutch citizens.

While small, Maastricht’s community can take action that might reach bigger Dutch cities, then the Dutch government. From there, it is not far to Brussels, and most people are convinced the EU has a great influence on climate action worldwide. This is exactly why Gabriele continues to not only walk in climate marches but is actively involved to raise climate awareness in Maastricht. ‘Extinction Rebellion is one of a broad field of activist groups necessary in today’s world. We feel the urgency in Maastricht together, as a group. That’s a wonderful thing. We don’t want to look back and be worried that we didn’t do enough to prevent what is coming.’

15

DESIGN

16

Steff Nagel

F

or the last two years I was allowed to be the designer of Printed Editions of the Maastricht Diplomat. When I started it was called just ‘the Diplomat’ as it had been since it’s conception in 2009.

I started this journey with the goal of creating a good-looking, functional magazine, and I hoped that so far, that goal has been met. However, I knew little of those that came before me. I’ve heard bits and pieces of the designers from before I came on board, and even then, it was only about the guy that did it before me. This made me wonder how much had changed over time. On the next page you’ll find all the covers that once crowned our magazine.

Getting all the covers however, was not an easy task. UNSA has not kept a perfect record of all their editions, and gaps were very prominent in the UNSA office files. What we did have was enough to create the outline. Our magazine came to life in 2009, as it says so on the first cover: ‘issue 1’.

A very simple design and a bold serif typeface crowns the cover with pride.

The black bar strikes through the blue and the text at the bottom of the page seems to have been a mistake, as we can see the correct way in issue 2. I used the black bar as the basis for the logo of the MD, but made it smaller and put it in the upper left corner (and in red, but that’s obvious). The first few issues are harmless, do their job and are made with high quality paper.

The next year sees an upgrade from the sparse cover, and choses to go for pictures instead. This design element

10 years would stay until the end and beyond.

The fonts were changed, and the style was upgraded to a more lively white. The following continued this trend, but it wouldn’t have seemed so were it not for Annie Scanlan, Head of Journal 2012-2013. I couldn’t find a year’s worth of material, no records, no photos, no names, no titles. So Annie, whom I contacted on Facebook to ask about the ‘lost year’, responded positively and within a day she helped me put the puzzle pieces together. She has been of great help to this little project. Unfortunately, gaps are a trend that continues until the magazine is posted on issuu.com in 2015. Before this, online information is non-existent, Google is less than perfect and Facebook does not hold any information either. I searched hard for some covers, and the one that slipped between my fingers was the cover of the Winter Edition of 2014. It is announced on the UNSA Facebook page, it is mentioned on the old Diplomat Blog, but nowhere is a picture to be found. I contacted Alice Nesselrode, Head of Journal 2015-2016 and President of UNSA 2017-2018, if she knew anything, but it seemed like that cover and issue is lost with time…

time, only to be replaced by the next designer, either because no standards or information were provided (such was the case for me), or because it didn’t look good at the time. After all, these products are a production of their time.

Which brings me to the ode to our magazine and its 10 year anniversary.

I feel honoured to be part of a line of designers that made these journals a reality. When I scrolled through past Facebook-posts, photos and so on, I see how much people cared for these editions. They take up time; sometimes I did not eat or sleep to finish them, but they are always worth it in the end.

The work that the journalists put in is impressive, and to adapt the written words to a magazine can only be described as fun. I wonder if everyone that worked on them before me felt the same. And that those that come after me will also feel a need to keep up the standards that we have created. I used to be unhappy with the design. I probably still am. It can always be better, it can always be bolder. I took elements from those before me, but made them my own, I tried to take our magazine to a level where it could be put in stores, and I hope that the end-user, you the reader, enjoy the graphics as much as you enjoy reading the articles. Good design often goes unnoticed, it doesn’t draw attention to itself. I would like to change that for a single time. The next two pages are an ode to the design and the people that worked on it.

Which is truly a shame, because with that edition, the whole timeline would be complete. For a while only two editions per year were made, so it is only the winter edition of 2014 that is missing from this timeline. It is fun to see this progression of ideas, and to see certain elements stick for a long Here’s to another 10 years.

17

18

19

CULTURE

20

Chirine Chalak

H

ere we go again. Your eyes are closed because the lights are blinding, but not in a bad way. You have a smile on your face, surrounded by your friends and lovely strangers. The music is carrying you away and here it comes: the floating second where nothing matters anymore, the second where the beat is about to drop and you know it. And then, you are lifted to outer space. Yes, you guessed it: you are at a Love Foundation party in the Mandril.

Lovely Community have a great time, proving that culture does not always have to be commercial. Plus, it gives opportunity for artists to perform in a friendly space.

Tonight, both organizations came together to make sure you have a good time. Yet, you have heard some rumours and you are not entirely convinced. So was I. And the main question bothering me was: how to be sure Love Foundation will actually send the money to these projects? So I went to a lecture given as part of the WE festival in order to ask a few questions. When I arrived, there were only a dozen of people and I thought ‘Are we the only ones who do not know what LF is about?

Or is it that people do not care enough?’. The second option is by far more plausible. More people joined later on, but mainly members of the association. It was a ‘less-than-formal’ lecture where the background, pillars, projects and challenges of Love Foundation were presented. To be fair, I thought I knew more about it, but this lecture shed light on what was not clear. I was waiting to ask about the tracing of the money, when someone else in the room said “So, about the money. There are rumours circulating that you use the money for cocaine.

You know, you say you are a sustainable association, but cocaine is not vegan, so not sustainable”. Fair enough. Not the first criticism that comes to my mind when talking about cocaine, but sure.

But, have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes? Who is behind all this?

Why do they do this? What do they stand for?

Let us start with the Love Foundation. It was created 6 years ago by two students, here in Maastricht. They were inspired by Viva Con Agua; a German organization campaigning for clean drinking water worldwide. Their idea?

Organize events, ranging from sustainable fashion shows to football tournament, in order to collect money for charitable projects. For example, in Bihar, in the North West of India, they help fund a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project from 2011 to 2015. By the end of it, 30% of the households have an own toilet compared to 0% before; today, 65% of the houses have a personal source of drinking water, again compared to 0% when the project started. Today, there are Love Foundation associations in Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, and all of them follow the 5 pillars of the organization. Universal love, water for all, community spirit, joyful purpose and shared In response, members have pointed that, sustainability. So yes, you are having fun for obviously, this rumour is spurious but that the problem of transparency is often brought a good cause. to them. They explained that all projects What about their location, this lovely centre they participate in and their development are with beautiful paintings on the walls? Well presented on their official website. Plus, after this, my friend, is the Mandril. It is a volunteer every party, they publish a balance sheet where run cultural and political space for community, you can track how the money is spent. The real creative culture and political activity. They problem is that people do not really care. Right organize many events, including jam sessions, after the party, everything is forgotten, until the concerts, theatre and dance representations, next one. They do try to present the foundation yoga sessions, movies, presentation, discussion and its goals at the entrance of their events, rounds, and free school workshops. All these are but most (if not all) people just want to get made on a non-profit basis that makes incomes inside and do not pay attention at all. It seems and expenses transparent and the money raised like Maastricht’s students only care about is used solely in the benefit of the community, partying, without asking questions about their for running costs, painting, lights, equipment, surroundings, without digging deeper. Maybe and renovation. The participation for any event they think it’s too much effort, when it really is donation based; besides money, you can is not; the foundation organises lectures and contribute by giving needed material or even meetings, where everyone is welcome. Your your time and skills by helping out organizing curiosity can be a blessing, embrace it! activities. Finally somewhere where you do not need to spend a crazy amount of money to The Mandril also faces difficulties to spread

awareness, but for another problem. Originally, the Mandril was a squat established in 2009 somewhere close to the Muziekgieterij. It was forced to relocate to the current location in 2014 and, since then, it has an official contract with the Municipality. Unfortunately, it is coming to an end and the members of the centre are not sure they will be able to renew it. They have been meeting with the municipality officials and have been trying to prove the importance of their role in Maastricht’s cultural life, but in vain. And here again, the same problem is faced: they have launched a petition online to find support for their action, but only a few people know about it. The Mandril welcomes a lot of people to a wide range of events, and if every person who ever had a good time there could sign it, it might help their case. But here again, people are not aware, and people do not seem to really care. They do not realize how lucky they are to have a space like this, nor what the organization, preparation and even cleaning behind those events entail.

Again a lack of curiosity leading to a lack of appreciation and, unfortunately sometimes, disrespectful behaviour. Yes, you are having a good time, but remember that once the music stops, and everyone goes home to his or her confortable bed, some people will still be here, cleaning after you so tomorrow another event can take place. And also, keep in mind that if nothing is done soon, the Centre might be shut and the music will stop for good.

So tomorrow, when you wake up, hopefully without a massive hangover, remember that you contributed to a good cause. Remember all the people that made this night a success.

And also remember that they need your help to support them so they can survive. But for now, you can go get another drink, close your eyes and let the music carry you away.

21

“We need to go to at least two to five house-parties every week.” o, this is not a first-year student who just arrived to Maastricht speaking.

This is Mr. Remco Arets, talking about his job. He is the Student Police Officer for Maastricht. He explains that there are usually a considerable number of calls about “the noisy students.”

Unfortunately, this is not the only complaint there is when it comes to the increasing number of students in Maastricht. There is, also, the aggravation of the situation on the housing market: not enough space and higher rental fees. Additionally, the association Beter Onderwijs Nederland worries that the quality of the Dutch education system suffers from the “anglicization” that has been a consequence of the many foreign students moving here.

Moreover, research by UM students shows that there is a fundamental lack of connection between students and the local community, occasionally resulting in misconceptions and tensions. Doubts arise: Could it be that 9500 international students in Maastricht is too much?

According to a survey by the Dutch organization for Internationalization in Education, when asked whether they would consider studying in the Netherlands, 76% of prospective students replied with “yes, absolutely.” The country is considered to be a highly attractive place to study. Reasons for this perception are the not only the good quality of life but also the level of education offered. Noticeably, Maastricht is the prime example for this positive trend.

When its first provisional university educational program took off in 1974, there were approximately 50 students enrolled in Maastricht. 45 years later, this number has sky-rocketed to almost 17.000. With roughly half the UM population originating from another country, the university has, by far, the highest percentage of international students in the Netherlands. And whilst this feature is one of the university’s strongest selling points, there are some concerns about whether this population growth took place too quickly.

One worry seems to be that the town may not be able to keep up with the change this development brings.

Mr. Arets explains that one of the difficulties that comes with the significant increase of number of students is the realization that the fundamentally different lifestyles of students and residents are not always easily compatible. Illustrating this challenge is the area Limmel. It used to be a residential district where mainly families lived. Lately, however, local households are becoming more and more outnumbered by the student population. Whilst, of course, this is not a negative trend per se, it does have implications for the families that are still there. And not just because of the occasional party. Students come home late often. Their bikes make noises and apparently, many like to have late-night conversations on the streets. Some residents complain that the waste disposal regulations are misunderstood. All of these rather “minor things” can add up to a general perception that there should be more respect and mindfulness towards our neighbors. As a result, there have been attempts by the city council to restore the imbalance: in total, 6% of the streets in Maastricht have been already been “locked

N

22

International Students: A Part 1 down,” meaning that there can be no further increase of the number of student homes. But does banning further students in some of the main living areas really have to be the solution, especially in times where the housing market seems to be scarcer than ever?

And the issue relating to space in Maastricht does not just extend to housing. It is also clear that not all residents are happy about the gentrification that has taken place in certain cultural spaces of the town, such as in the Mandril, the LBB or the Student Hotel.

Especially the latter – which used to be a factory – has significant historical and cultural relevance for the town. There was strong opposition by some locals against turning it into a place to stay for students. The same is also true for the Mandril, which the Gemeente Maastricht would also rather not see remain in the hands of students. All of these issues show: it is likely that citizens feel bothered – or even overwhelmed- by the large number of new students.

Of course, it can now be argued that these problems are caused equally by Dutch as by international students, who might merely intensify the problem due to their large number. Which is true. Yet, there are also very specific concerns regarding the process of internationalization taking place.

Initially, the “anglicization” of the Dutch educational system was a target of criticism.

Last summer, articles along the line of “Maastricht University sued for being too international” emerged. Of course, this was not an entirely correct representation of their actual issue, which appears to be rather connected to the increasing lack of Dutch studies. The university won the case against “Better Education Netherlands” - rightfully so. Yet, the association’s argument that a rapid increase in the use of English might have some implications for the level of education should not be dismissed too easily. It is not impossible that the sophistication and nuance of the learning material can decrease, especially because the level of English of some of the tutors is not entirely up to scratch.

It appears the University itself is aware that all the internationalization it has brought to the city is not without consequences. The students Caden Puah and Andjela Draganic are, in fact, working on a research project funded

by UM, which – amongst other points - is concerned with the effects of this development on the local community. One of the questions they are attempting to answer is whether the internationalization is inclusive to both sides: the internationals, but also the Dutch. It becomes apparent: things are not just changing for those who arrive to Maastricht, but also for those who may have lived here throughout their entire lives.

When the girls talk about their research, it becomes clear that many of the issues they describe cannot be backed up by statistics, at least for now. Yet, in essence they characterize a fundamental lack of connection between the local community and international students.

It appears that there is a substantial amount of misunderstandings and misconceptions

Amelie Ohler

between the two social groups. For instance, in a survey conducted by the students in January, students were asked whether they think that it might come across as impolite to live and study here and not learn Dutch. A strong majority did not think so. When Dutch students were asked the same question, however, many replied that this mindset can across rather impolite and that, yes, it was important to learn some Dutch.

When talking to a student who is originally from Maastricht about these observations, she said that she would go even further than this.

Apparently, this lack of connection does not just exist between the international students and the locals. In her experience, this divide extends to all students. Even she, as a student from the area of Maastricht, feels like she is living in a bubble, or even a parallel world, which barely has intersections with that of the locals.

Getting back to the initial question of whether there are too many international students in Maastricht, it appears that the town seems to have reached its upper limit. At least for now.

There is work to be done. More affordable housing needs to be built. The police plan on becoming stricter when it comes to noise disruption by students. But most importantly: attempts are being made at improving the communication between students and locals in order to improve their relations. This will take time and effort from both sides. As someone, who regularly interacts with both groups, maybe the Student Police Officer has some advice? He does.

“Enjoy your time as a student! It’s okay to party. But please think about your neighbors from time to time.”

: A Blessing Or A Curse?

Carolin Lurz

Part 2

hen walking through the streets of Maastricht, one quickly notices how vibrant, young and international this old Dutch city is. While sitting in one of the many cafés, you can hear people chatting in all kinds of different languages and you can observe young people from all around the world cycling on their Dutch bikes. In Maastricht, there are no such things as national or cultural boundaries; instead, everyone lives together in an open, peaceful and tolerant coexistence.

The main reason for this young and diverse city image – which is supported by the city of Maastricht itself – is Maastricht University (UM). With more than 9,500 international students being enrolled this year compared to 8,500 Dutch students, UM ranks first in the Netherlands as the most international university. In total, students from 121 nationalities chose Maastricht as their place to study – and the number continuously rises every year.

Being an international student myself, this article proves that 9,500 international students are not too much for Maastricht.

Closely bordering Germany and Belgium, Maastricht is directly located in the ‘heart of Europe’. This geographic location already predestines Maastricht to be international. On top of that, the high number of international students perfectly mirrors essential European principles such as cultural exchange and the free movement of people that were supported by the Schengen agreement and the Erasmus programme. In line with Europe’s slogan ‘united in diversity’, Maastricht’s

multiculturalism is a model example for cultural enrichment on the micro-level. Not by coincidence did the founding fathers of Europe chose the city of Maastricht to sign the treaty that established the European Union!

As students in Maastricht get to experience the European idea to its full extent, you can observe an increased interest in European affairs. European political parties realized this potential and even sent their Spitzenkandidaten to have a debate in Maastricht, which was open to all students and residents. Interestingly, Maastricht is the only city in the Netherlands in which such a debate takes place. Again, the many different cultures allow everyone to enhance their perspectives and enlarge their horizon. Isn’t it much more interesting to debate European issues with people from all different member states and even EU-outsiders than purely between Dutch people?

But the many international students are not just an enrichment for Maastricht from the European perspective; they also have a positive influence on Maastricht’s economy.

First of all, the students need a place to live and consequently pay monthly rents to their landlords. It is true that the high number of students (both Dutch and international) generally leads to an increase in rents and to a tense situation on the housing market.

This problem, however, does not only apply to Maastricht but to every university city. To improve the situation, it would be necessary to provide for more student accommodations.

After all, one has to consider that the increasing number of people moving to Maastricht leads to more prosperity and higher tax income, which primarily benefits the Dutch citizens.

Next to that, the retail sector of the city also profits from the students. Especially since international students tend to live far away from their original homes, they have to buy everything they need to survive daily live in Maastricht – be it Albert Heijn, Jan Linders, Hema or the Study Store. This definitely also applies to the gastronomy sector: What would the Lab, Take Five, Ginger, Bread and More and all the other bars and restaurants be without the many international students? – Right, empty and probably closed!

When enrolling at Maastricht University, every student needs to pay a study fee, which is even higher for students from non-EU countries. Yes, it is correct that most study fees are not sufficient to completely cover our educational costs and that the remaining costs are compensated by Dutch taxes. However, in the long run, this also serves the benefit of the Dutch taxpayers: New statistics have shown that international students increasingly tend to stay in Limburg after their studies and, therefore, contribute to the economic wellbeing and tax income of this region!

One indirect and probably less visible economic benefit of the high number of students is that they tell friends and family in their home countries about how beautiful Maastricht is. This not only enhances the international prominence of Maastricht but also

W

leads to a higher number of tourists who come to visit the city – and (obviously) spend money.

When trying to book a nice room, you have to hurry because all rooms are usually booked way in advance, which comes as no surprise considering all the friends and relatives that want to visit the international students.

Regarding the living-together of many different nationalities and cultures in one relatively small city, some people are afraid of conflicts. But keep calm, we asked the Maastricht police department for evidence and they explained to us that this is not the case.

Generally, there has been no increase in drug abuse or crime rate since the first international students came to Maastricht. Although some neighbours complain from time to time about too loud student parties, the police declared that this affects international and national students to the same extent. In general, there are no major problems in Maastricht that are not prevalent in other student cities and it seems that students – regardless of their nationality – are all the same in one regard: they like to party!

Going one step further, international students also show a high readiness for helping others.

Proof for this can be found in the many student projects in Maastricht that aim at improving the situation of their environment and fellow human beings. One example is the Homeless Project Maastricht. It has been founded by two international students and aims at helping homeless people in Maastricht by cooking for them once a week. This year, the number of international students who wanted to get involved was so high, that the project even had to be extended to an additional shelter.

Coming back to the one institution that is the reason why so many young international people decide to study in Maastricht: UM itself! Just imagine what UM would look like without all of its international students and teachers. Well, we can for sure argue that the university would be much smaller and less well known. Without international students there would not be the need to teach in English although many study programmes were designed to be international such as European Studies, European Law, and of course International Business. Having English as the language of instruction does not only attract students from around the world but also highly qualified and renowned academic teachers, as 39% of the academic staff is international. This adds to an increased level of academic excellence and also enhances UM’s reputation.

Rounding it up, we can definitely conclude that 9,500 international students are not too much for Maastricht – on the contrary! They contribute to a younger and more dynamic city image, they are encouraged to become engaged Europeans, they have a positive impact on Maastricht’s and Limburg’s economy, they follow (most) rules and integrate well into Maastricht’s community, they even take action themselves and support inhabitants in need and they are one reason for UM’s academic excellence and reputation. And please bear in mind: without international students, there would be no Maastricht Diplomat, no printed edition and hence, you would not be able to read this article right now!

23

STUDENT LIFE

On livin’ the student life rriving in Maastricht as a first year student can be quite a daunting thing.

This might be a small city, nineteenth most populous in the Netherlands, but there is a surprising amount that goes on here. Somehow, it seems like everyone knows everybody.

Or they at least know somebody who knows everyone. That’s how it goes, right? That was most certainly my first impression when I arrived. That being said, this may be due to me not coming from the continent and so a lot of the traditions of European student life were lost on me. I mean, who were these girls riding by dressed to the nines with other girls on their back (and sometimes front) wheels?

And how on earth was it possible for these big Dutch guys to have two crates of beer strapped to their own bikes, weaving between cars and other bikes, with one hand on the bars and the other wildly gesticulating at another over their shoulders, not even watching where they’re going? Oh that’s right, Wednesday nights are Maastricht genootschap nights. Why wouldn’t this scene be playing out in front of my eyes?

A

Clearly, there was something here that I needed to have a look at. This is how I found the United Nations Student Association, UNSA for short, and the Journal Committee. Well, actually I found a flyer on the floor of my lecture hall and saw something about free beer. Consider my rubber arm twisted! The introduction evening of the UNSA was interesting enough to keep me around for a while afterwards. The free beer helped too; to which I most certainly helped myself. In this process I met one Giovanni Stanga, then editor of the Journal Committee student magazine, The Diplomat. A copy of which, six editions later, you are holding in your hand right now. That night, Giovanni, too, had been helping himself to the free beer and after a rather enthusiastic conversation on Israel-Palestine, I found myself all paid-up and working in his committee. Like-minded people perhaps.

time that I had ever given writing a go and I thought that it could be a fun place to associate with. Heated student debates on politics over drinks, what’s not to like? Over the next year I learnt a lot about what student journalism is about and along the way I met a lot of wonderful people in our association, some of whom I am fortunate enough to still be working with this year at the re-monikered Maastricht Diplomat. I attended socials (got drunk), went to our weekly meetings (went out for a weekly drink), worked a four day conference (drank four nights in a row), and helped put out three print editions (with corresponding celebratory drinks). It was a great first year and a good start to Maastricht for me.

Then, naively, I thought that at this stage I might just have had the hang of this. And so I wandered on down to the Maastricht studenten roeivereniging (MSRV) Saurus boatshed and signed up. Now, I used to row back in the day and having seen the water on offer here, I felt like perhaps it was time for me to step back into a boat and have some fun. A student association in Maastricht with a few boats on offer, that’ll be alright. Sign up, pay my fees, get a tie, row some boats, have some drinks.

Not too difficult right? Never before in my life have I felt so ignorant as to the ways of the world. Sure, I can get the tie and can have some drinks above some boats on the side of a river.

But I had to go through a three day initiation to get there. And as such, due to a guy literally a foot taller than me, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Dutch student associations.

There was a lot of standing around, being yelled at in Dutch, running around in circles, being yelled at in Dutch again, and very little sleep. Since then, after somehow being coerced into the wedstrijd (race rowing) section, I was somehow dropped into the deep end of Saurus.

Sink or swim; the studentenvereniging world of the Netherlands is a fast-paced world of deeply rooted traditions that go back hundreds of years and no one is waiting for you. And I think that if there is one thing I have learnt about swimming in Saurus, it involves a lot of beer.

As a first year, I figured the best way to do university life was to get stuck in. And get stuck in I did. The Journal committee of the UNSA is tasked with creating content that informs students on the world around us, including Just like the UNSA, at Saurus there are many three printed editions a year. It was the first different committees. If rowing is not for

24

Michael Keith everyone, there is always something else to do. I, however, went in the rowing direction.

In Saurus I coach a first year ladies crew, some of whom had never stepped into a boat before this season, and in the UNSA, as one of a few second-years, I work as a co-head of the committee and help Simon in running affairs.

Over the past two years I have been fortunate enough to see six print editions being put out, this being the sixth, and for all involved it is always a labour of love. Deadlines whooshing by unfulfilled, grievances aired, mistakes forgiven, products always proudly printed on time. [Steff, you’re an underappreciated genius.] There are obvious similarities to the Eerstejaarsdames (EJD) boat at Saurus, where everyone has slowly been learning the craft of rowing. Many hours have been spent on a Dutch canal talking about body placement, in the gym sweating over weights and ergos, and in the bar comparing techniques. Both projects have been painstakingly pursued by all and at the end of the day there has always, despite many setbacks and sleepless nights, been a sense of accomplishment.

Although this year has not quite come to a close, I can feel that summer is on the way and student life is almost on hold for a little while. Well, at least once the last papers are written and races are rowed anyway. Not so long now. Then I can wrap up a second year in Maastricht and look back on two years filled with innumerable experiences that I could in no way have found without the help of these two student associations. Of course, the UNSA and Saurus are not the only flavours in town, but to me it has been my way in to making a life in this city. I have met a lot of people from a lot of backgrounds, cultures, and languages.

I have learnt a massive amount about rowing, writing, journalism, and so much more besides.

And I have spent many nights around a bar having a laugh. And that’s the key to this city, or any city really. Get a beer and get stuck in.

25

I N T E R N AT I O N A L S

26

Working in Maastricht as Ceren Cingi an “International Student”

W

hen it comes to working during their studies, most of the non-EU students in Maastricht describe their experience as “difficult, complicated, and limited”.

They are facing different rules and regulations to be able to work in the Netherlands on a student visa. This means that they need an additional work permit and once they receive that permit, they can only work for limited hours. Additionally, information on this topic is limited and confusing, hence it is hard for non-EU students to understand what is necessary to know. There seems to be a need for clearer guidelines and better communication to improve the working experience of students.

Furthermore, there is confusion about the use of the word “international”. I met with two UM students and the bureau manager of InterUM to discuss the working opportunities for non-EU students, what can be done to improve the current situation, and what it means to be international.

What does it mean to be an International Student?

Maastricht University is known to be a highly international university with around 50% of its students coming from abroad and the image of Maastricht presents a city which is open to its international community. Being a non-EU student requires you to pay an institutional tuition fee which is higher than the stationary tuition fee paid by the European students. When it comes to sustaining yourself and your studies as a non-EU student, your chances highly depend on your ability to find a job.

Accordingly, most of the student jobs seem to be looking for international students. In contrast, employers other than UM often do not recruit non-EU students due to additional paper work and time constraints related to the additional work permit. So, if employers are not willing to apply for a work permit, do they mean “European” when they say “international”? Here, the meaning of the word “international” gets confusing and needs clarification. From the perspective of students “international” can cover different meanings depending on the context. In the Netherlands, an international student can be a European student with multiple nationalities, a non-Dutch European student or simply a student who has a nationality different than Dutch. They say that most of the people use the word without being aware of its full meaning and thus cause unclear communication.

Non-EU students need a special work permit to find employment. Once a student is recruited, they need to provide many documents. Copies of their residence permit and ID are required by their employers who will apply for the working permit. The application procedure can take up to 5 weeks. After they receive a permit, they can work for a maximum of 16 hours per week outside the summer months. During June, July, and August, working full time is possible, too. Students can work in multiple jobs if the employer for all of their vacancies is the same. For taxes and insurance, the procedure is almost identical as for EU students.

While working in the Netherlands, at least a basic Dutch insurance is required. Students can check if their insurance is acceptable or if they need an additional one through the SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) website. Luckily, it is possible to apply for an insurance subsidy and tax reduction. One thing to remember is that only students who are registered in the Netherlands are eligible to apply for subsidies.

For EU students the reduction in taxes can be calculated automatically but it is good to double check if it is being applied or not.

What is InterUM and how does it function?

InterUM is Maastricht University’s recruitment agency. They mostly do the payrolling which includes administration work and recruitments for UM student vacancies. Occasionally, they also recruit qualified students for certain jobs within South Limburg. Their vacancies are knowledge intensive, administrative, and task related. They aim to create valuable work experiences for students through internship programs such NVIDA offered to medical students last year.

Applications and registrations can be done through the InterUM website. It is also possible to stop by their office to ask questions as well as to reach them via LinkedIn. If contacted directly they are welcoming to students and open for any questions.

Tips and Tricks for Finding a Job as an International/Non-EU Student

As suggested by the UM students and InterUM, the most suitable option is to look for a job offered by the university. Vacancies are published on the UM vacancy board, Facebook and LinkedIn. It is important to check the job openings frequently and make sure to apply on time. Following the posts of the faculties, Green Office, EdLab, ImpactLab, the library, student project teams, and UM Sports can Guidelines and Suggestions for increase the options to find a fitting vacancy.

Students Most of the UM student jobs require around 8-10 hours per week, therefore the limited How can a non-EU student work in the working hours do not affect the eligibility of Netherlands? non-EU students. It is possible to have multiple

jobs at the university at the same time, the only constraint is not to exceed the 16 hours per week limit. Another important fact to mention is that tax reduction is available for a single vacancy. Furthermore, working freelance is an option but there is not a payment guarantee and the income per hour can be lower than the minimum wage. UM vacancies are also good for CV building and pay better than most of the other student jobs.

Students emphasize the importance of time management skills and said it is the key to balance your studies with work. They recommend to start volunteering in order to build connections and to create a network. One student mention that American students looking for financial aid can apply to FAFSA (Federal Student Aid), since Maastricht University got approved in recent years.

What can be done to improve the working opportunities of the Non-EU students?

The students I interviewed stressed the lack of information and a need for clearer guidelines.

They think that making videos which explain the regulations and introduce how non-EU students can work in Maastricht would create a better understanding. InterUM mentioned the language barrier international students face while trying to access information. They are in favor of increasing the amount of information available in English. One of the students also underlined the fact that after 2 years of working part-time with a work permit, non-EU students need to take a 6 months long break before continuing to work. Since the Bachelor programs are 3 years, it causes difficulties for working students to financially support themselves. A way to solve this issue can be initiated by UM if they encourage authorities to reassess this law.

There is an opportunity for non-EU students to work in UM student jobs, however it is harder to be employed outside of the university.

This is a structural disadvantage for non-EU students, who anyways have to pay higher tuition fees. The word “international” is being used in different meanings depending on the context and non-EU students are by default internationals. Considering the fact that UM is actively trying to attract international students, it would be beneficial for both the university and students if the regulations and limitations targeting non-EU student employability would be revised. In order to raise more awareness and promote the improvement of the current limitations, non-EU students can speak out, share their own experiences, ask for assistance from the university, and reach to authorities to explain why they think the current policy feels discriminating between students.

27

HOUSING

28

Dan Edwards

The Horror of Housing

tudent housing in Maastricht is often a hot topic of discussion. According to a recent study, 82% of students have had less than satisfactory experiences living in Maastricht, as a result of bad accommodation and/or deceitful landlords. Now, you may be asking “where is this study from?” It is completely false, and a study has not been conducted but you would be forgiven for believing it until told otherwise.

Why? Because it easily could be true, as there is an abundance of complaints. Many students, particularly when first arriving in Maastricht experience terrible living conditions and/or bad treatment by landlords when they should be getting better quality for the price that they are paying.

S

year students. When deciding on writing this article, I thought it best to go onto the popular ‘Sharing is Caring’ page on Facebook in order to ask for experiences, believing that I would get a few stories to reflect upon. However, this was not the case, instead I received an outpour of feedback both on Facebook and in person.

Whether or not landlords disagree with the consensus against them, they must understand that there is a strong sentiment amongst many students that they feel taken advantage of.

Landlords and housing agencies must respond.

Thankfully, I was fortunate to be contacted by Freek Schulpen, who works at Housing Hub. He shared three important insights to make living in Maastricht easier.

A student who contacted me (who prefers to remain anonymous) spoke of his less than pleasant experience, which highlights many of the issues that students are going through.

After moving into a new apartment, he realised that he was being overcharged €200 and that led him to do the natural thing of contacting the rent tribunal. He then received threats from his landlord. Yes, actual threats. One of which was “we will go after those close to you”. He also never had his deposit repaid, which was the case for his other housemates. This led them to attempt a collective front but when the landlord in question charged illegal payments to other housemates, support quickly dwindled.

Firstly, many mediation and management companies ask for unlawful fees from students.

There are even some cases where the landlord is unaware of this. It is illegal in the Netherlands to ask for such fees from both sides and it is common that new students do not know this and are goaded into paying “registration” or “administration” fees. It is important when considering moving into a new place, to double check what they charge you because they are not allowed to charge you those high fees. This can only happens if you specifically asked them to find a property and they had to search outside of their own portfolio they can charge you a mediation fee.

Another student by the name of Luciana also contacted me, though her incidents were far more sinister. Luciana recently moved into what she thought to be a relatively nice apartment. However, this quickly changed when she was told that her housemates were two older men, aged 40 and 60 respectively.

This is a fairly peculiar set up, but her time living there only became worse and worse.

Luciana started to be sexually harassed with it culminating with one of the men unlocking the bathroom when she was showering and entering her room when she was not there and had not given him permission to do so.

Luciana, rightly, went to the housing help desk at the Students Services Centre, where it was discovered that his room was illegally rented, and the man ended being evicted.

Secondly, there are outcries regarding maintenance. Some students need to call and email numerous times before they get a valuable response. It is important to check if it is your responsibility or the landlords when a maintenance issue arises. A broken lightbulb or a clogged drain is usually the tenant’s responsibility, but a broken front door is the landlords. If it is the landlords responsibility then it is best to contact them via phone or email, in order to make them aware of the issue in a polite manner. Certain issues do require a lot of time to fix. However, if in your opinion, your issue is not being addressed then the next step is to send a letter and give the landlord a deadline to fix the problem. If it still not addressed, then you can go to a university legal or housing help desk. The one in Maastricht is located in the Student Services Centre.

Both of these stories are extreme, but they are cases which are far too common in Maastricht.

It is still important to note that not all landlords will treat students in this way and they will respect their tenants. However, there is a systemic issue in Maastricht. Students are taken advantage of and this is the case for many first-

Finally, there are issues surrounding the repayment of deposits. It is unfortunately the case that some landlords and agencies are unwilling to repay your deposit. There are a couple of things that can be done to ensure that this is not the case. Firstly, when first

reviewing the apartment make sure that you check if everything is as stated by the landlord or meditation company. If not, take pictures and note it down and send that via email to them and if necessary, you have proof of what the apartment was like when you moved in.

When moving out of a room or apartment be certain that they fill out a check-out report and give or send you a copy. It is vital that you keep hold of this, so that no unlawful charges can be added later on. Secondly, when leaving an apartment ensure that it is the way you found it, if not cleaner. You are responsible when you leave to make sure the state of the property is the same as when you moved in.

These insights prove useful for any student who has or might experience possible difficulties with a landlord. Of course, this does not just happen in Maastricht but anywhere where there are students. At least some universities across Europe provide accommodation for first year students. It is natural that Maastricht has not achieved this yet, as it is still a relatively young university. However, the University should actively pursue this if it wants to maintain its image of a social and caring university. There is the Student Hotel, but this is too overpriced for many students. There is also Maastricht Housing, which is affiliated with the University, but they still use private landlords and students can still experience difficulties. The active involvement of the University might be helpful to create a climate of trust between students and landlords which could be done by building accommodation for students. The majority of people who contacted me explained that their bad experiences came in their first year of moving to a new city. It is not just Maastricht’s University to solve this complex problem and it is certainly not the university’s fault for this current situation, but it could take an active role in providing a solution.

Students entering Maastricht for the first time will, inevitably, come across some of the issues that are presented in this article and these problems will continue to happen. But it is important for landlords and us, as students, to know how to deal with housing issues. For too long, there has been a lack of effective communication and trust between landlords and students. This complex issue can only be dealt with if all participating parties, including Maastricht University, understand their rights and responsibilities. Otherwise the fake 82% of students who have experienced less than satisfactory housing conditions will become a reality.

29

NGOS

30

Matthijs Lenaerts

F

rom Amnesty International’s global “Write for Rights” actions to the #IceBucketChallenge that swept through the digital plains, raising both awareness and funding for research into ALS; NGOs have always developed evocative ways to promote their causes to the masses. Over time, some campaign gimmicks have even become synonymous with their brand. In the first issue of this year’s printed edition, we already touched on the challenges that non-profits face in getting their message out in the age of the digital consumer. Standing out is key. Understandably, serious efforts are then invested by these organisations to maximize their visibility.

Between the viral onslaught of well-wishers and do-gooders, the risk of popular causes disconnecting from the issues in people’s minds is real.

Global Charity begins at home humanitarian law where both the Red Cross and the Head of Legal Affairs for the Dutch Royal Airforce presented their views. Because as important as all the event support and blood drives at home are, a significant portion of what the Red Cross does plays out in the gruesome conflict zones that most of us only hear about on the news. And not nearly enough at that.

Thierry elaborates that the Red Cross and its sister organisations are fundamentally neutral, providing aid to all civilian parties in need, irrespective of what side they were on, even if they were previously combatants - now no longer able to participate in the conflict. The army, of course, is hardly a neutral party, but under art.

55 of the Geneva Convention humanitarian aid provided by neutral parties should be allowed.

Luckily, the powers that be in the Netherlands do not question the usefulness of the services Call me cynical, but haven’t we all at one point rendered by the Red Cross in conflict zones, but or another rolled our eyes at some acquain- not every state follows that line of reasoning. tance whose altruism we suspected of being of the ‘easy come, easy go’ variety? “A rose The USA has denied the Red Cross entry to by any other name…” you could say, but the the by-now infamous child detention camps, most important asset the public has at its dis- despite worrisome fatalities occurring due to posal to affect change is still our minds and, preventable illnesses. Similarly, the situation by extension, our votes. After all, voting for had to escalate drastically before the organisapolicy makers that are willing to give political tion was finally granted access to Venezuela to support to international NGOs is crucial. And help its population that finds itself in dire straits voting requires us to be informed. So how do amid ongoing political strife. Attacks against NGOs reach out to inform us of about events aid workers has seen rising figures year by year. often happening thousands of miles away? I went looking for organisations whose charity When asked if lectures of the kind organised together with ELSA were meant to create begins at home. awareness about the important work the Red One of those organisations taking their Cross does, Thierry stresses again that the Red approach to this quandary local is the regional Cross is a neutral organisation and not out to department of the Red Cross. For those of you win hearts and minds, but acknowledges that who only know them from those stickers sales because of the nature of their activities, they you encounter at random crossroads while interact with state bodies often and as such driving, or that one time your mate got too into the political sometimes intersects with the Queens of the Stone Age at Pinkpop and you Samaritan. It is why they have affiliate offices had to help their sobriety-challenged rear to a at both the UN and the EU. They are, after all, first-aid station: there is a lot more to them than the largest humanitarian aid provider in the world. Rather than convince people to support that. their cause, they want to remind people that the Thierry Bleijswijk is a student-assistant at peace at home was preceded by costly conflicts, UM’s central level marketing & communica- and that millions of people still live in that tions team, volunteer with the local Red Cross, reality. I am told that it was one such conflict, and my interviewee for this article. We met up a battle in what is now known as the Second to talk some more about why they have started Italian War of Independence, that gave birth to reaching out to Maastricht’s students over the the International Red Cross. past year, beyond the normal events already So why reach out to students specifically? established with local schools and organisa- Thierry tells me that when the local Red Cross tions like Rotary Club. The local Red Cross has looked at the large international student comorganised a pub quiz at a local bar, followed munity here, they saw an audience ideally up later in the year by a lecture (co-hosted suited to the message of the international misby ELSA Maastricht) on international sion of its NGOs. Opening a debate about what

humanitarian aid is now, where it is going and why it is important, helps people understand the grey zone that many aid organisations operate in. Red Cross Maastricht was happy with the results of their events and is already in talks to explore making them a permanent fixture on their calendar.

If readers are interested in an example of such a grey zone, where people don’t really know what they are giving money to, you could consider the case of the WWF. Despite being one of the most famous NGOs worldwide, how often have you talked with anyone explaining what is being done in the name of conservation? Well, turns out that cuddly panda is not all hugs and adorkable, bumbling YouTube-videos. A recent investigative report by BuzzfeedNews has revealed that the animal welfare organisation has funded vicious paramilitary organisations in its efforts to stop poaching across Asia and Africa. Local farmers and indigenous tribes who are often simply protecting their livelihood or traditional way of life have been tortured and, at times, murdered with weapons provided by the WWF. Those plushies with the famous logo will become quite a bit harder to look in the eyes after owners learn they helped fund the torture of Nepalese farmers.

Making people think about charity beyond the ad campaigns, the influencer Insta-posts and the donation drives is important. It helps us make the distinction between “giving to charity” and “supporting a charity” and forces us to consider what our role is in all of this.

Helping your fellow (wo)man should not be some abstract notion, something you do around New Year’s before drowning in champagne or on Facebook when a friend asks for donations for their birthday as an accoutrement to your well-wishing. Local branches of organisations reaching out and interacting with people will build a steady base of support that lasts after the dopamine-rushing of giving to a good cause has passed. They can interact with criticism when their actions come under fire. If out of sight is truly out of mind, every event provides an opportunity to keep people mindful. So, when you are enjoying Inkom at the start of next year, and find yourself a victim of an excess amount of merriment (among other things), have a chat with the person from the Red Cross Maastricht patching you up. Because as much as they are helping you in that moment, by getting to know what they are about you will start returning the favour too.

31

HIDDEN PLACES

32

Mowgli Legein

A

The Man in the Bookstore

few months ago, I was wandering through the streets of Wyck when the window display of a bookstore awaked my curiosity. This storefront was filled with carefully stacked volumes forming dangerously leaning towers of books. The inside of the shop constituted the dream of every bookworm: A room filled with thousands of the oddest and randomest books.The walls were covered with the colorful spines of novels, tightly wedged together in floor to ceiling shelves.

Even the floor has been invaded by the books, stacked in cardboard boxes, creating islands and paper fortresses across the room, so much so that traversing it was barely possible.

to the Maastricht’s various “Kringloop Winkels” (second hand shops) and picks out the volumes that spark his interest.

What might appear as an chaotic assembly of paperbacks to us, is actually a meticulously selected collection. You could almost say that the store is an extension of himself, his own tastes and curiosities.

Books of all kinds are displayed in his store, ranging from art picture books, science manuels, philosophy volumes, fairy tales with ornate covers and novels from all eras. In the back, there also is a smaller room, filled with vinyls with bird noise recordings, fifties jazz albums as well as a collection of the “unmissable Dutch carnaval classics”.

Intrigued by my discovery, i questioned my friends about the bookstore in Wycker Grachtstraat. To my disappointment, I learned that despite its pleasing vintage aesthetics, this place was not highly frequented by students. So, convinced i had just found a hidden gem of Maastricht, i decided to investigate further. After visiting a few times and spending too much money on an obscure poetry book, I built up the courage to talk with the owner of the bookshop.

Mr Rietveld revealed upfront that the paper and vinyl based entertainment he offers does not constitute the most successful of businesses. He claims that people are less and less interested in old vinyls and dusty books. But the way he talked about his life in the Wycker Grachtstraat bookstore still made it seem worth it. There is a certain romance in the idea of being faced with strangers everyday, strangers with whom you develop a certain kinship, based on this shared love of a dying practice.

Between a pile of questionable romantic novels and ancient travel guidebooks, sat a white haired man, almost entirely dissimulated by his rampart of literature. Having agreed to talk with us a week earlier, Mr Rietveld welcomed us with a shy smile and sincere eyes on a rainy Thursday.

Despite my poorly articulated questions and the lingering awkwardness of the situation I could tell he was a man who knew how to read in between the lines, and I hoped he would reveal the mysteries of his shop to me.

He seemed pretty aware of the subtle magic of his storefront routine, and got himself into the habit of photographing the people that visit him. He collects the fleeting faces of Maastricht, each one smiling awkwardly and holding up their new acquisitions in the tight passage between the mountains of books. He explained that he liked photographing them because it helped him remember who came to the shop, what they were like and what they left with. Photography seem to become, for him, a way to fight the ephemerality of consumption. I found it fascinating to think how this transforms the insignificant action of selling or buying a book into something much more conscious and intimate. He also revealed that if the people were friendly he would even send them their picture via email, prolonging this spontaneous relationship.

Mr Rietveld told us that he had kept this shop for 10 years, before that, he had a different bookstore in Maastricht and even before, he sold second hand books on the “Markt” on sundays. Originally from Utrecht, he came to Limburg to study art and drawing in the Jan van Eyck Academy.

But unfortunately, he was not able to live from his art so he decided to make do with Later, I asked him to tell us an anecdote his taste for literature. of his experiences at the store. While he affirmed that funny business hapEvery morning since 30 years, he goes pened everyday here, he had trouble

remembering of a good story on the spot.

To my disappointment he never found a treasure map in one of his books but admitted occasionally finding old money between the pages. Mr Rietveld tried to redeem himself by telling us the story of the day some people tried to steal his chairs, as well as another anecdote about a Japanese tourist who came and bought a bulk of old vinyls, which ended up being played in a local Japanese radio.

What intrigued me is that he didn’t seem too bothered by the monotony of it all. He explained with a wide smile, that even after 30 years, he still enjoys the embarrassed expression on people’s face when they leave the store without buying anything. The students especially, he insisted, come swarming through the shop with enthusiasm end up leaving empty handed since most books are in Dutch.

Although he doesn’t sell much anymore and tends to bend the prices for friendly faces, Mr Rietveld isn’t worried. Indeed, he told us that this place was supposed to be transformed into a hotel a few months ago, but since the project did not go through, the municipality lets him stay rent free.

Although the story of the bookstore was less fantastical then I had dreamed, I still left the bookstore uplifted. Mr Rietveld’s story might seem commonplace and slightly bitter sweet to you but it felt very humane to me. It comforts me in this fleetingness that we might experience as temporary residents of Maastricht, with friends, colleagues and acquaintances from all over the world, coming and leaving everyday. It is reassuring to think that in a small street in Wyck, there is a mysterious bookstore, where books that get left behind find a new home. As well as to know that despite our differences, FASoS students and an old Dutch man can joke about Schopenhauer together all the same.

33

STUDENT MAGAZINES

34

Simon Pompé

F

or ten years the Maastricht Diplomat has been part of this old town’s media discourse. This may not seem as big a deal to you as it is to the team behind it.

Most student publications, be it newspapers, journals, or magazines, do not survive this long, and therefore, I am proud and a bit relieved as our tenth chief editor to see continuant interest in our journal. For this article, allow me to indulge in a bit of selfcenteredness and elaborate on why I think of student journalism as an essential part of every university city. The history and character of student-led publications in Europe, and elsewhere, is fascinating and a sign of what makes universities impactful on society in general.

Student publications are one thing above all: voluntary. This is both an asset and a liability.

In almost all European universities, student publications are run by a team of unpaid volunteers who want to try their hands at the journalistic craft. Since they are all students, one can imagine the systemic issues arising: Missed deadlines because of academic obligations or because everybody was too hungover to report on that one protest march; fluctuating staff members after every semester, and mostly, funding the printing costs is always an issue. Some student publications therefore opted for online-only publications sometime during the 2000s. Still, most student publications ultimately rely on their university’s goodwill for money. Usually, funding is given to a student association of which the journalistic publication is part. This is also the case for the Maastricht Diplomat.

All these problems are further exacerbated by the fluctuating readership of universities. Not only do leadership and writers change almost yearly, also their readership leaves every year in part as students finish their studies and move on to other cities and lifestyles. Luckily, the MD has thus far the short lifespan of most similar newspapers, who often only last as long as their founding members stick around.

Evidently, despite having the odds stacked against them, there are those publications who endure. For this article, I spoke with Korneel De Schamp, the former chief editor at Veto, which is the student newspaper for KU Leuven in Flanders. Veto has been covering campus affairs since 1974 and is the “most wellknown” among its Belgian peers, Korneel tells me. Many of their writers directly start working for national newspapers after their studies.

Like many student publications, Veto has its roots in the 1968 protest movements and the years of strongly leftist civil rights movement of the 70s. Universities back then, especially in continental Europe, were intensely hierarchical, patriarchal, and stale

The Importance of Student Journalism institutions. Old, eminent men were teaching old, conservative theories and worldviews, that were increasingly at odds with intellectually and individually emancipated student bodies.

In Germany, many war-time Nazi-elements remained in academia. People had heard of these cool new things like feminism or Rock ‘n’ Roll from America and Leninism from the Soviet Union. These cultural waves were inherently critical of prevalent university structures, so now, they needed a medium that articulated and pondered the implications of the arrival of alternative worldviews.

Suddenly, universities all over the world, but especially in France, Belgium and Germany, saw a viral flourishing of student-written pamphlets explaining the next occupation of lecture halls, flyers calling for revolution against the bourgeoisie, manifestos professing their love to Mao and Alexander Dubçek, and eventually, established student newspapers.

There, regular criticism of the university, academic disagreement with theories taught in class, and more general considerations of the world were published. They found enthusiastic readers among their fellow students who had no other medium talking about their immediate surroundings. At KU Leuven, this culminated in the early 80s when Veto published a cartoon depicting the Pope engaging with Mother Theresa in decidedly unholy activities. The Catholic directorate was less than pleased and attempted to have them shut down.

Student journalism of this type has faded globally, with rare spouts of leftist articles against university policies springing up in the context of contemporary feminist discourse.

What has changed?

Korneel identifies a genuine betterment of academic governance as the main reason that left-wing criticism has subsided. A participatory model, where students have representation in faculty councils or student parliaments, often mediates the decisions of the rectors and professors more accurately to the student population. This includes student in many decisions taken and their transparency.

Additionally, more female and younger academics have enrolled in even the most traditional of universities. Thus, the youngstersvs-old-professors dichotomy has become less pronounced. Consequentially, most student publications today focus on campus lifestyle, local events and other less rebellious content – including us and Veto. This is natural and good, because as the world changes, be it for better or worse, so do students. In short, things are better now, and there is less to rebel against in student publications.

For one, students live in a place of learning and are at the immediate source of critical thought.

Combine this with the, admittedly sometimes naïve, fire of the youth, and you have student journalism that uses the theories learnt in class to question its immediate structures. Students are not yet caught up in the conformist habits of “grown-up” life, where you may ashamedly start voting Conservative because you don’t want to pay taxes so much. But the continuous questioning of the status quo is what drives progressivism, and student journalism plays a major part in articulating this.

Eventually, the student journalists who spend their time at university writing furiously become the professionals of tomorrow. Society can only benefit from writers who have tested their mettle in an academic and young, vibrant setting that are campuses. There is an inherent value to a healthy culture of debate and controversy. Young academics should always engage in constructive discussion with each other, especially if they have starkly contrasting world views. Argumentation sharpens both sides of the argument, and student journalism plays an important role in putting student opinions out there. Agreement and consensus should not be the desired outcome, instead what matters is respect for all perspectives and the art of arguing. Sharp student opinions still matter, even if the have matured from the constant anti-system sentiment.

Finally, the one advantage that student journalism has over national coverage is the uniquely young perspective on things. No one can really express what the youth thinks of the world except the youth itself. It is so crucial that students realise the worth of their own viewpoint. Personally, I do not want to leave the commentary on society to people who do not have as long to live in them anymore.

Sometimes, I think of the late 60s and 70s with a sense of nostalgia and envy. Things seem to have been so simple back then. Society was old and rusty, and the youth was there to shake up the dust. Things are not so clear cut today, and content focusing more on local lifestyle, entertainment, art or technology, and the newest Game of Thrones season are perfectly fine.

This is how student publications stay relevant, after all. Still, Korneel and I agreed that it is important to stay critical of the systems around us. If students become too unquestioning of their universities or the world, then student journalism loses its raison d'être. This is why in the last 10 years, the Maastricht Diplomat has sought to maintain its independence, and also its edge. We hope that you, dear reader, will This is not to say that student journalism continue to keep questioning the world around matters less nowadays. As Korneel maintains: you and be vocal about your opinion.

“What makes student journalism important is that you need their critical voice”. He identifies three major aspects.

35

MSc in Public Policy & Human Development (MPP) Why study Public Policy at UNU-MERIT

7 specialisations

• Double-degree diploma (UNU & UM) • Intensive, multi-disciplinary one-year programme • Problem-based learning in small groups • Students from dozens of countries • Guest lecturers from international organisations • Career opportunities in multiple sectors

• Social Protection Policy • Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy • Governance of Innovation • Migration Studies • Regional Integration and Multi-Level Governance • Risk and Vulnerability • Foreign Policy and Development

Application deadline: 15 June 2019 www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/governance