Each year with generous support of the Taalunie, Dutch at Sheffield welcomes language coaches from our partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium. Stijn Oosterlinck (KU Leuven Campus Antwerp) studied in Sheffield in 2024-25 and contributed generously to the Dutch programme. Here is his story.
“In July 2024, just a year ago, I was making packing lists and asking friends what I could teach the students of Dutch in Sheffield. Now I look back on my year in Sheffield and I can’t believe how much has happened. It has been an exhilarating year! I have learned so many new things, met amazing people and was given fantastic opportunities to practise not only my languages, but also to feel part of many wonderful projects.
Let’s get the formalities out of the way: Ayup, my name is Stijn and this year I was on my Year Abroad in Sheffield. I am from Belgium and study in the beautiful city of Antwerp. I was meant to spend just one semester in Sheffield, but, luckily, I was able to extend my stay (shout out to both the International Office back home and Global Opps in Sheffield). I combined my language studies in Sheffield with an assistantship with the Dutch section. Under wonderful supervision and with the support of Filip and Henriette (Yeti), I was involved in the conversation sessions for students of Dutch on a weekly basis.
I have learned so many new things, met amazing people and was given fantastic opportunities ...
Stijn
Exchange Student (KU-Leuven) and Taalunie assistant
During my year as a language coach I ran a conversation programme and exposed the students to Dutch and Flemish culture. I focused on sharing those interests and topics that my friends and I talk about and enjoy back home. Each week we talked about a specific topic, often related to what the students were doing in their language classes.Perhaps that all sounds very formal, but it was really quite relaxed and very much about building confidence in speaking with the students (in Dutch of course).
In addition to my 'official duties', I was welcomed into the Dutch Studies section at Sheffield. I helped with the translation project of Boto Banja in the first semester and met the author Raoul de Jong. In the second semester I performed the role of Oma in the annual Dutch play as part of the Modern Languages Drama Festival, alongside the students. At the end of the year, I helped the (stressed) students prepare for their oral exams and I was part of the teaching team during the ALCS Dutch Summer Course from 30 June to 5 July. In short, the opportunities were diverse and plentiful and made my year abroad enjoyable and unforgettable.
Being a language coach has taught me so much about my own language, about me as a person and about the Dutch language in an international setting.
Stijn
Exchange Student (KU-Leuven) and Taalunie assistant
Being a language coach has taught me so much about my own language, about me as a person and about the Dutch language in an international setting. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and want to thank everyone that made it happen. I specifically want to thank Filip, Yeti, the Taalunie, and my studentjes for giving me the opportunity and for their support throughout the year.
Het was goed! Dear Sheffield, dear Dutch Studies, tot ziens!"
Stijn