New Year's resolutions for 2020? We'll help you out!
More exercise, a healthier diet, more time to yourself: we make resolutions every year, but they often don't make it past the end of January. To help you succeed this year, we have compiled a list of New Year's resolutions you can put into practice at the University!
1. Work out at The Buzz in The Hague
After all that overeating at Christmas, almost all of us make the same New Year resolution: get more exercise. Our gym in The Hague, The Buzz, makes it that bit easier: between 2 and 12 January they are offering free sports classes! From Zumba to core training, and your first fitness session is free as well! So what's holding you back?
Check out what The Buzz has to offer and register online
You can also work out in Leiden, at the University Sports Centre.
2. Learn something new: follow a MOOC
From terrorism prevention to linguistics, and from international criminal law to mindfulness. With a Massive Open OnLine Course (MOOC) from Leiden University, over a number of weeks you can immerse yourself in a subject that is totally unrelated to your study programme or work. And the best thing: you can just do it in the comfort of your own home! The MOOCs are available through online learning platform Coursera, are open to all and free of charge. Each MOOC consists of different modules in which lecturers from the University convey the material in the form of video lectures and learning assignments. There is also the option of online interaction with lecturers and fellow students. If you pass all the assignments, you can apply for a certificate.
See all the Leiden MOOCs on Coursera
3. Enjoy some culture: visit an exhibition at the University Library
Within the University we have a lot of hidden treasures, for example in our University Library Special Collections. The library often puts these beautiful and extraordinary pieces on display in its hallway. This can be anything from a collection of books and images on one specific Indonesian fable or several ancient maps of the world, to works by a famous photographer. Right now, the library is showing its latest acquisition: the private archive of famous Dutch writer and artist Jan Wolkers. It was donated last year by his wife Karina. Quotes by Wolkers and pictures from his archive illustrate some of the major themes in his work and life.
Read more on the exhibition about Jan Wolkers (in Dutch)
4. Go on an exchange – a virtual one, that is
Spend some time studying at the Sorbonne in Paris or The University of Adelaide, without even leaving your room. Go on a virtual exchange! Leiden University and eight partner universities from all around the world offer online courses that students can follow through the virtual exchange programme. And you earn regular credits for them too. Learn from the comfort of your own home at a moment that suits you, while also building an international network. Around 20 courses are now available through the virtual exchange programme; earn elective credits for these.
Read more about the Virtual Exchange programme.
5. Learn or brush up on a language at the Academic Language Centre
Always wanted to learn Italian or Japanese? Want to brush up on your high-school French and be that bit more confident on your holidays? Or maybe you want to improve your academic English so that your papers are easier to write. Our Academic Language Center offers courses in over 15 languages at levels varying from beginner to advanced. The courses also cover cultural aspects. There are reduced rates for students and staff from Leiden University. New this year: classes on Portuguese, small-scale intensive courses in several languages and a Dutch sign language course!