Serving my way to Munich

Servus! My name is Emine, but my mother often calls me Mientje. I’m from the Netherlands and grew up in a small town called Lochem, in the eastern part of the country. It’s the kind of place where everything is just a 10-minute bike ride away, which makes Munich feel like a whole new world for me. Every time I step into the metro, it feels a bit exciting.

I study Communication Science at Radboud University in Nijmegen, where most of my courses have been theoretical so far. That’s why I’m really looking forward to developing more practical skills during my semester at LMU. Although I’m Dutch, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Germany over the past few years — all thanks to table tennis.

I’ve been playing for a table tennis club in Dachau, just outside of Munich, for the past four years. Since the level of competition in the Dutch league wasn’t challenging enough, I decided to join a German club where I could train and compete at a higher level. I currently play in the third Bundesliga, and sometimes even in the first Bundesliga.

During my studies, I’ve often traveled back and forth between Nijmegen and Dachau, a seven-hour train ride. I usually spent about 10 weeks a year in Dachau and the rest of the time in the Netherlands. But this semester, I’ve decided to fully commit to living here by enrolling in the summer semester at LMU Munich.

One of the things I love most about the area is the mountains. Coming from the flat landscape of the Netherlands, I’m constantly amazed by the beauty here. Whenever I get the chance, I go hiking to enjoy the stunning views. Although, to be honest, I’m not a fan of walking back down the hill. 

Over the next few months, I’m excited to dive deeper into student life in Munich, improve my German, and explore more of Bavaria. Aside from training and studying, I can’t wait to discover the city. From cozy coffee spots to relaxing afternoons in Englischer Garten and visits to museums. Most of all, I’m looking forward to meeting new people to share these experiences with and discover Munich together.