So both have already secured a place to live. That search was not that difficult, says Van der Molen. “I started looking early, before the rush. On the day after my final exam results - when I was sure I was going to study - I had already planned a viewing.” Eventually, they both ended up at the same student house, which they share with nine others. “It's very tidy there,” Mol says. “Not one of those messy sorority houses where house parties are held all the time.”
The two are not interested in traditional student associations and sororities anyway. A student sports association seems more fun to them. “At least there you don't have hazing - I'm not going to swallow a goldfish or anything like that - or compulsory drinks, but it is still nice and social. And you also stay fit,” says Van der Molen. In any case, there is plenty of choice, she discovered this afternoon at the Sports Event on Tapijn. “Hockey, tennis, rowing... I really don't know what it will be yet.”
Choosing Maastricht as place to study was less difficult, say the two. Despite the considerable travel time: Van der Molen is from Apeldoorn (about three hours by train) and Mol from Leeuwarden (four hours). “Studying in Groningen might have made more sense,” says Mol. “But the study programme in Maastricht appealed to me more - you are more hands-on here. And the city just feels like abroad. The narrow cobbled streets are so beautiful.” Van der Molen was also immediately sold after a Experience Day. “Everything feels very cosy here. Even people's accents.”