How does cycling as a daily activity contribute to enhancing the sense of belonging of international students in Amsterdam and Nijmegen
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2025-06-20
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en
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The Netherlands - which is known worldwide as a cycling country - receives many international students yearly. These students come into contact with cycling quickly, and therefore the research question of this study is as follows: How does cycling as a daily activity contribute to the sense of belonging of international students in Amsterdam and Nijmegen? To research this, sixteen interviews were conducted about three dimensions through which cycling could have a positive influence on the sense of belonging of international students in the Netherlands. Through its comparative research design, this thesis examines whether city size has an impact on the extent to which an international student takes up cycling. The central dimensions to this research are physical, social and cultural belonging. The results showed that cycling affects all three dimensions positively. By cycling, international students get to know the physical environment of a city better, deepen friendships and feel more a part of Dutch culture. City size was found to cause differences in some areas, but ultimately not to affect the effect of cycling on sense of belonging. Recommendations were made to universities and international student organisations to focus more specifically on accommodating bicycle use among international students.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen