AUC's The Herring

12/04/2024

“From our prison cells, we heard many of you gathered outside of the station, loudly demanding our release - we hope you scream as loud for a free Palestine,” they say. Two weeks ago, protestors formed a picket line in front of the academic building that would eventually lead to student arrests everyday from 25 to 28 March. In this open letter, the arrestees address the AUC community to contextualise the protests and the police violence they experienced. Read this guest contribution now on The Herring!

Opinion Collage by Sabine Besson Note: The following is an open letter from several of the individuals who were arrested in front of AUC during the protests that occurred from 25 to 28 March. Dear …

31/01/2024

Finding a job is one thing, but then all the formalities… They can be quite overwhelming, and not all employers are as helpful as we wish they were. That’s why The Herring prepared this guide to getting a job in the Netherlands, answering the most important questions.

By K**a Wojtuszko Collage by Veronika Bejczy Finding a job is one thing, but then all the formalities… They can be quite overwhelming, and not all employers are as helpful as we wish they were. Tha…

09/01/2024

Amsterdam University College is a potential exception from the proposed Dutch government policy that could significantly impact international students and programs across the Netherlands. The recent policy, which calls universities to suspend active international recruitment, sparked significant nation-wide opposition within the university community. However, AUC’s management, including Dean Martin Van Hees and Director of Education Marianne Riphagen, does not think AUC will be as affected as other programs due to its different international status as a “University College."

By Lila Burkle Collage by Nieka van Lieshout Amsterdam University College is a potential exception from the proposed Dutch government policy that could significantly impact international students a…

11/12/2023

It’s late November, maybe early December. Last Christmas is blasting from your neighbour’s speakers, bright lights are flickering all over the city and the smell of oliebollen follows your every step. Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you cannot escape that picture. But let’s not forget about the other wonderful winter celebrations that tend to be overshadowed by the Christmas culture, whether that is a huge Hanukkah at the dorms, a Diwali party, or jumping waves for wishes on New Year’s Eve.

By Pola Folwarczny and K**a Wojtuszko Collage by Sabine Besson It’s late November, maybe early December. Last Christmas is blasting from your neighbour’s speakers, bright lights are flickering all …

23/11/2023

On Monday 20 November, a white poster with “Stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine” written in red paint stood out against the wooden wall by the staircase of the first floor in the Academic Building (AB). This poster overlooked a sit-in led by students condemning AUC’s silence on the atrocities unfolding in Gaza. For over three hours, their chants and speeches reverberated to every corner of the university college: “Free! Free! Palestine!”

By Lisa Jesudas Collage by Sabine Besson On Monday 20 November, a white poster with “Stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine” written in red paint stood out against the wooden wall by the staircase …

22/11/2023

By Lou Boot, Violet Domínguez, and Ben Kiem Collage by Sabine Besson Please note: While this article is meant to highlight the emotions students feel at this moment, this is not an accurate re…

16/06/2023

By Violet Domínguez and Ben Kiem Collage by Maria Mazurek When course registrations opened, students were caught by surprise when they could not add the ‘creative courses,’ namely Film Lab, Creativ…

06/06/2023

THIS JUST IN: DUWO announces shutting down the dorms elevators in response to their notorious breakdowns. What are the other reasons and how did the AUC community react? Read the newest satire piece written by Adesholla Bishop on the Herring!

By Adesholla Bishop Satire Collage by Thea Bladt Hansen Among AUC students, the six elevators located throughout the interconnected dorm buildings are notorious for their regular breakdowns. Famili…

09/05/2023

In light of a report from the Jonge Akademie, Dutch universities have been asked to design a ‘smarter academic year’ in order to create more breathing space for students and lecturers. Alongside the University of Amsterdam, AUC will be participating in the pilot ‘reflection and curricula review exercise’ beginning in September 2024 – but what can students expect from this pilot of a shorter academic year? Find out now on The Herring!

By Anna Debeye Collage by Sara Serrano In 2021, the Jonge Akademie, a platform of young scholars, released a report describing how teachers and students in the Netherlands are unhappy with the curr…

25/04/2023

Located just 5 minutes by bike from AUC's dorms, Javastraat has been a safe, go-to place for many of the AUC students. But how much do you know about the street's history, community, and people? Does Javastraat still hold secrets you had no idea about? Find out more in Franek Dziduch's newest article!

By Franciszek Dziduch Collage by Veronika Bejczy Javastraat. Where do I begin? What can I write about the street located in the heart of Amsterdam Oost that will elucidate how special and unique it…

20/04/2023

For years, the Dutch government has been systematically withholding student finance from non-Dutch university students. AUC student Milus Tóth from Hungary is one of the affected ones – and has decided to sue the Dutch government. In The Herring, she shares her struggle to get the thousands of euros of financial aid she is entitled to under EU law.

By Levin Stamm Collage by Maria Mazurek Doing paperwork feels like any other job to her. AUC third-year Science major Milus Tóth has spent hundreds of hours operating within the intricate mills of …

17/04/2023

This spring, six determined and enthusiastic student candidates are running to become the new representatives of AUC’s Student Council in the 2023-2024 academic year. With voting beginning today, The Herring has spoken to each of the candidates to hear about their plans for the future of AUC. Read the article now to ensure you cast an informed vote!

By Pola Folwarczny Collage by Sabine Besson In recent years, there have not been enough candidates for AUC to hold elections for its Student Council, a participatory governing body of the universit…

14/04/2023

'Leighton emphasises that students are not stealing from a big corporation, “They steal from me as a person".'
What should be done about theft at Spar Science Park? Spar owner Leighton given insight in the new article!

By Ben Kiem Collage by Maria Mazurek The self-checkout – the reification of one person’s fears and the other’s dreams – has replaced much of the traditional cash register and reshaped the way…

11/04/2023

Amidst the Amsterdam Q***r Nightlife, worn down by events catered towards/only for cis gay men, a new alternative emerges: Play Parties -- cis men free q***r events, for those who want to explore their sexuality and kinks. Read more in K**a Wojtuszko's new article on the Herring!

By K**a Wojtuszko Collage by Sabine Besson Have you ever seen someone hump a birthday cake in a club? If you ask me about one of the most life-changing experiences, my answer would be the first Pla…

30/03/2023

The Dutch police has arrested several Extinction Rebellion activists for planning a blockade of the A12 highway in the Hague. These, in the Netherlands, rather uncommon arrests sparked a debate about the right to demonstrate. Is the Dutch government limiting this constitutional right by arresting peaceful activists? Find out more now on The Herring!

By Lenka Simsic Collage by Sara Serrano On the bike ride home from dropping his son off at school on 19 January in his hometown Castricum, Lucas Winnips, an Extinction Rebellion (XR) activist, was …

28/03/2023

Is the le***an scene in Amsterdam dying? Once a city known for its bars targeted towards q***r women, only two have survived to this day. What caused such a decline and are le***an bars still as needed as decades ago? Read a new article by Violet Domínguez to find out!

By Violet Domínguez Collage by Veronika Bejczy Is the le***an scene in Amsterdam dying? Despite the city priding itself as the LGBTQ+ capital, le***ans and q***r women continuously describe Amsterd…

21/03/2023

"We're still processing what happened there": for the last two years, the course Peace Lab Rwanda was held online - this January, students went for the first time in person to Rwanda to learn first-hand about the country's history and peace building. Want to find out more about the trip? Read the newest article by Franek Dziduch!

By Franciszek Dziduch Collage by Veronika Bejczy After two years of holding the class online, this year’s AUC students taking Peace Lab in the January intensive, for the first time went to Rwanda. …

16/03/2023

When Crofts arrived home from picking up the Balenciaga jacket, he noticed that the jacket was not an original Balenciaga. Under closer examination, two stripes are “not how they are supposed to be” when compared to the original. – Want to read more about Paco Croft's intriguing investments? Read the Herring's latest!

By Ben Kiem Collage by Maria Mazurek Paco Crofts, a third-year Humanities major, sits in the living room of his 4-person dorm room, wearing a purple knit pullover and a pair of green, flared trouse…

14/03/2023

As of 1 September 2022, AUC's letter grades were replaced with a numerical system in accordance with the Dutch grading system. Some students noticed immediately that – as a result of the transition – their final diplomas will contain both the letter and number grades. The question instantly arose: How would it affect their chances of applying to Master’s programmes? Read more about this on The Herring!

By Pola Folwarczny Collage by Sara Serrano In May 2022, the current second- and third-year students received an email informing them of a major change in the grading system. As of 1 September 2022,…

09/03/2023

Most students and committees are unfamiliar with the pre-pandemic use of the shared areas in the AUC dorms and are left confused about the ongoing changes. After speaking with representatives of DUWO, AUC, and AUCSA, The Herring answers your most urgent questions about the future of these shared spaces!

By Anna Debeye Collage by Adèle Issman The AUC dorms are home to 36 living rooms (previously known as common rooms) and 15 balconies that students are able to use in addition to their own room. Mos…

02/03/2023

"It has been three months since Dormsessions hosted their last event and it is becoming clear to the board members that Dormsessions will not take place in the dorms again." – Read more about upcoming changes to Dormesessions events now on The Herring!

By Anna Debeye Collage by Veronika Bejczy In October 2022, the Dormsessions board first started hearing rumours that their events would no longer be allowed to be organised in one of the common roo…

23/02/2023

"To have the ability to uncover that story makes a better leader. All these things will come in handy in the role of Director of Education." – Who is our new Director of Education? Read Marianna Riphagen's interview on the Herring now!

By Ronja Boer Collage by Sara Serrano Academic building, second floor: In the kitchen area next to the management department, new Director of Education Dr. Marianne Riphagen hastily eats an avocado…