“European Law seems to be very tough”

“European Law seems to be very tough”

Portrait participant INKOM: Noé Breeur from Belgium

22-08-2024 · Interview

Is he going to learn Dutch? French-speaking Belgian Noé Breeur (19) smiles apologetically for a moment. “In high school, I was very bad at Dutch. But I've since understood that it's important to know at least a few basic phrases when you live here. So I'm going to try. So that I can at least say 'hello' and 'how are you'.”

Another language barrier has separated him from his mentor group, which he hasn't seen since Monday. “There were a lot of Germans in it, all of whom refused to speak English. I did find that disappointing. So now I've joined another group. Actually, I met new people every day who were open to a chat.”

Student life is not entirely new to him. “I studied International Business at ULiège (University of Liège) last year, but that wasn't for me. Then I decided that I would like to do an all-English study.” It became European Law School in Maastricht.

Traveling back and forth

For now, he continues to live in his old city. “I was way too late applying for a room, probably there won't be anything available again until December.” Fortunately, the train from Liège only takes half an hour; Breeur is even considering continuing living there. “The rooms there are cheaper than here, because I would like to live in the center. On the other hand, I don't like traveling back and forth.”

That also takes time, which he would like to devote to his studies. “I understand that European Law is very tough; you have to read a lot, a hundred pages a day, learn a lot in a short period of time.” He wonders how much will be left of his social life. “I play tennis in Liège now, but that takes up quite a large part of my weekend. So maybe I'll stop doing that for a while. That will also leave time to see my friends. We’ll see how it goes.”

Author: Cleo Freriks

Photo: Observant

Categories: People, Background
Tags: INKOM2024,introduction week, European Law

Add Response

Click here for our privacy statement.

Since January 2022, Observant only publishes comments of people whose name is known to the editors.