Lectures and Dutch Songs

Monday September 17 2012

My First Lecture

Last Wednesday I had my first lecture of my 'full time' course in the Netherlands. I say 'full time' however all I have timetabled is a four hour lecture on a Wednesday morning. Still after the introduction to the lecture, I was unsure that I would be able to keep up with what was expected of us in our own time.
But hey, as I keep trying to tell myself, I will just keep nibbling away at the workload which will hopefully allow me to keep on top of it all.
The module I am studying is 'Culture, Violence, Trauma and Reconciliation.'
Yep, a joyfilled topic on why human beings are nasty to one annother.
The content was pretty heavy even for the first lecture however, the engaging lecturer managed to keep the mood light by taking the mick out of himself and generally making us giggle.

Friday Night: Dancing and Ethnographic Research

On Friday, we decided to have a party at our flat. The guys bought nibbles and made a playlist. We congregated in the kitchen and awaited our first guests. As we did so we realised that with there being 10 of us in the flat all having invited a few people, there could quite easily be 40 + people attending our party.... we all looked at our tiny kitchen wandering where they might all stand.
Overall it actually went without a hitch, the guests came and went at different times and it was not-too-cold-a-night so most of us stood outside for a time.
Also it turned out that it was the birthday of one of the girls who lived just down the hall.
I decided to 'crash' their party and was very glad to have done so. We have some lovely neighbours and hopefully they'll be over for a cuppa at some point.
Whilst I was mingling with our neighbours, a song came on which sounded a lot older than the rest, it sounded floky and uplifting. I looked around and the party people had their arms around oneanother singing and closing their eyes with smiles on their faces.
One guy saw me looking bemused and explained that it was a dutch song, specifically about living in the south of Holland (where the birthday girl was from). He and his girlfriend taught me the dance and allowed me to join them in celebrating their love for their country. I must admit for a moment I felt like a bit of a fraud, however the group of people had such warm spirits and an inviting attitude that I soon felt comfortable being a part of it!
On reflection, I realised that the experience described is what anthropologist must feel like in the field, slightly confused, a little embaressed to have encroached on a groups rtituals and finally (if they are lucky) reassured by the warmth and kindness of local people who are proud to share their values with others.

Overall a great week, I am feeling more at home here by the minute.