Exchange program gives Dutch academic taste of Aussie lifestyle

Visiting lecturer Annemieke Windt has enjoyed her academic exchange

When visiting Dutch academic Annemieke Windt returns home to Holland in August, it will be the laid back Australian lifestyle that she will miss most.

'People in Australia are much easier going than Dutch people,' she said.

'That, the open spaces and the students here in Australia is what I will really miss.'

In the country since April, Ms Windt has been on an exchange program organised through USQ's Faculty of Arts and Holland’s University for Applied Science, her home university.

Over the past few months the academic, who speaks flawless English, has been teaching into the Faculty’s Public Relations courses, while USQ lecturer Dr Chris Kossen has been filling the void left by Ms Windt in Holland.

The exchange, however, is on much more than just a professional level.

'I am living in his house and he is living in my tiny apartment with his wife in Haarlem (Ms Windt’s home town),' she said.

'My home town and Toowoomba are a world apart, while Haarlem is an old city (established in the 10th century), Toowoomba is relatively new and has much more open spaces then my home town.

'It has been a change but it has been terrific.'

The students were also different, added Ms Windt, who said that she had to adapt her teaching style, in what has been a challenging but rewarding experience.

'Students in Australia seem to be much quieter than they are in Holland and I have to make sure that what I am teaching is getting across.

'Dutch people are very direct and students will ask you lots of questions, but I have really enjoyed the experience and the chance to teach in Australia.'

The four month exchange will come to an end when Ms Windt returns to her home country on August 1.

'It is definitely something that I would love to do again.'

Contact Details:
Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429