Spoilers about tacit knowledge

Tilburg University provides a very useful ‘Prepare before you leave Guide’ to answer the most frequent questions that international students ask in the months and weeks leading up to the start of their study program. However, when you move to a new city or you join a new studying or working community, word of mouth is the best way to get to know the new place!

This post is about those small but useful pieces of information that usually are not included in official practical guides.

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SPOILERS ABOUT TACIT KNOWLEDGE

The End.

There are at least two reasons why I chose the words The End as a kick-start for this first post. The first reason is … a trick! Are you familiar with the white page syndrome? (If not, please, google it!) The antidote that usually works -for me- is writing down the most urgent idea that is rumbling and rumbling in my head, without thinking too much about an opening sentence. The second reason is an explanation about why The end was the counterintuitive opening-word that popped up in my mind. I decided to start a new blog hosted by Univers exactly the last month of my PhD contract: it is quite evident that endings and beginnings trouble me!

After 5 (or 4?) years in Tilburg, I know lots of little things that are more or less useful to make me feel at my place here. I know lots of little things that, now, I take for granted. And, yet, I remember the sparkling surprise I felt the first time I learned them, randomly! Here, there is a non-exhaustive list of old news:

SPOILER ALERT: Please, do not read below the line if you just arrived in Tilburg, and if you want to get acquainted with the city and with the university life in your own way. Remember, however, that the list may contain something you will regret not reading!

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In the NL you can find baking soda (Discovered 4 years after my arrival) – In Dutch swimming pools wearing a swim cap is not required (Discovered during my first swimming class)- @Tilburg there is a bar with more than 200 beer’s brands, but with the hard rule ‘one table, one bill’ (Discovered 2 days after my arrival) – @Tilburg University there are confidential advisors that can help you to solve problems and conflicts about academic conduct and integrity (Discovered 2 years after my arrival)- @Tilburg there is a little harbor (Discovered 1 year after my arrival- Shame on me!) – @Tilburg it is easy to find temporary accommodation and second-hand furniture by joining specific FB groups (Discovered … too late! These groups were created when I had already a roof over my head)- @Tilburg University you can subscribe to a mail-list which informs you about any upcoming experiment in economics and business for an eventual participation (Discovered 1 year after my arrival)- @Tilburg the mosaic-sofas, which you see around the city, have a story (Recently discovered)- @Tilburg the last day of the Kermis there are fireworks at Piushaven (Discovered one year after I had discovered that the Kermis exists!) – @Tilburg University there is a charity shop for second-hand books (Discovered 1 year after my arrival)- @Tilburg there is a bar with regular jazzsessie for free (Discovered the first month after my arrival) – In the NL you should have a look at NS group tickets (Discovered 3 year after my arrival) – @Tilburg there are things still to be discovered…

Suggested Soundtrack: My favorite things, Julie Andrews

_Advertentie.