Arnhem through Sini’s eyes: “The atmosphere is open and warm”
- Dance
“More than anything, I wanted to dance and move,” says Sini Ahonen, an international student on ArtEZ’s Dance Artist programme. Sini grew up in Finland, a country where opportunities to study dance are limited. “There’s only one dance academy in Finland and it’s much more focused on research. But I really wanted to become a dance artist.” Her search brought her to Arnhem, where she not only found the perfect study programme, but also a place that feels like home.
When she came to ArtEZ for her audition, things immediately clicked into place for Sini. “The atmosphere was so open and the welcome so warm. That told me all I needed to know.” She had never been to Arnhem and knew nothing about the city, but the good vibe at the academy was enough to convince her to live and study here. And now she has made the place her own. “During the summer I spent some time away and when I returned my first thought was: it’s good to be back! Arnhem really does feel like home.”
Ideal student city
or Sini, Arnhem is an ideal city for students. “It’s smaller than, say, Amsterdam. You can cycle wherever you need to be in no time and there are so many places you can reach easily by train. The central location is a major advantage. In Finland, you often have to catch a plane if you want to travel somewhere different, but here you can just hop on a train. It’s so nice to have that small town vibe in combination with a city that basically has everything you need.”
When she moved to Arnhem, Sini was instantly struck by how green the city is. “It was a nice surprise to be so close to nature. Sonsbeek Park is just beautiful and there are so many other parks where you can kick back and relax for a while. I love being outdoors, nature inspires me. So that’s a big plus.” There are also plenty of friendly cafés and restaurants in the city. “Mams Coffee is a great example. And Nelson is a good bar and popular with ArtEZ students. They regularly have live music there.”
Sini sees Arnhem as safe and accessible, two more reasons why it’s close to her heart. “In the Netherlands, everything is incredibly well-organised and almost everything is available in English. People here are so open and everyone is willing to help. Sometimes they are too eager to speak English... it stops me from practising my Dutch!” she laughs. “But it shows how nice and welcome I feel here.”
Dutch student life
The way students live in the Netherlands was also new to Sini. “In Finland, you almost always live alone as a student, but here it’s normal to share a house. That took some getting used to, but now I like the cosiness of it. You get to know people better and you’re never short of company.” The openness of people in the Netherlands is something that still makes an impression. “People on the street here say hello, for example. That can make your day and give you a real sense of home.”
Sini experiences that same openness at ArtEZ, along with its diversity. “Our class is a real mix of cultures, with people from all kinds of different backgrounds. It really enriches us as a group. The course also offers very different kinds of input, thanks to the variety of guest lecturers and contrasting approaches. That’s a challenge, because being creative doesn’t always come naturally to me. We get to work on all kinds of projects that enable us to grow as individuals.”
Dance and creativity in Arnhem
Sini firmly believes that Arnhem has everything you need to develop as a dancer. She regularly collaborates with Introdans, a leading dance company based in the city. “This collaboration was set up by ArtEZ and getting to work with a professional company is such an amazing experience. The course also organises frequent collaborations with the drama school. Right now we have weekly classes with them, which is great fun because you get to see a completely different way of working. It’s a genuine interaction: they learn from us and we learn from them. I also work with a singer from the Jazz & Pop programme; she gives me singing lessons and I give her dance lessons. There’s also a filmmaker who often collaborates with dancers. I am a dancer in his film.”
There is also plenty to see and do in the city itself. “Uitnacht is highly recommended, an annual cultural event with a diverse programme. It features lots of dance, and students from ArtEZ often get to perform.” Another tip is the Café Theatre Festival. “Performances take place in bars and cafés all over the city. You often discover new creators and that makes it even more fun.”
The many opportunities to see performances could well be what Sini likes best of all about Arnhem. “At places like Musis or Theater aan de Rijn. Tickets for students are affordable, especially if you’re a student at ArtEZ. And you can see everything from well-known dance companies to emerging creators here. It’s an inspiring mix.”
Future plans
Though Sini feels completely at home in Arnhem, she plans to move on after her studies. “For dancers, job opportunities in Arnhem are limited. If you want to join a dance company, it’s often the company you opt for, not necessarily the city. And as a freelancer, it’s easier to find work in bigger cities like Amsterdam or Utrecht.” Sini does think she will stay in the Netherlands. “Studying at ArtEZ means you build a network here, so it’s smart to make good use of that. I’m sure I’ll need those connections before long. It would be wonderful to do projects as part of a company and work with people I really admire."
Arnhem will always have a special place in her heart. “It is a lovely city to study in and develop a sense of who you are. Small enough to feel at home, but big enough to challenge you.”
