The third place—a setting separate from home and work—is an important space for people to spend their leisure time. Culture reporter Luna Lampikoski interviews an international student about her favorite third place. 

“It sort of feels like you’re hanging out in your living room,” describes Simona Ciciriello, a political science student at the University of Amsterdam, when talking about Kriterion. This popular student-run cinema and cafe has helped her feel more at home in Amsterdam. International students face additional hardships on top of the regular academic and early adulthood challenges that all students experience. They must navigate a new city where everything is unfamiliar, from the places to run errands and spend their free time to the local culture and people. This unfamiliarity can interfere with their sense of belonging. Many may only feel connected to the student community, rather than the city or country as a whole. Therefore, having a third place is essential for international students to foster a sense of belonging to their new home.

The term “third place” was created by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, The Great Good Place. A third place is a unique environment where people can spend leisure time outside of their first place, home, and second place, work or school. It is a public space that encourages casual social interaction through frequent, informal gatherings of people. Time spent in a third place carries no expectations of productivity. Third places have low financial barriers to entry, a host of regulars, and playful conversation as the primary (though not only) activity. They are often conveniently located near one’s first or second place. Additionally, they promote communal leisure, as opposed to the individualist and consumeristic activities found at spots like gyms and nightclubs. Examples include public libraries, parks, community centers, and local bars or cafes.

Kriterion, located across the road from the Roeterseiland campus, is a prime example of a third place in Amsterdam. It was founded in 1945 to financially support its employees during their studies. Nowadays, it is an ideal spot for people to enjoy a cheap coffee, watch a movie, or read a book on one of its cozy couches. 

The way Simona describes it, Kriterion fulfils many of the criteria for third places outlined by Oldenburg. It is a neutral ground where individuals can come and go as they please, with no obligation to be there. “There are some times when people show up and then you don’t see them for months, and then they show up again,” Simona explains. Many visit Kriterion without a specific plan, using it as a meeting point to have a quick beer and a chat before continuing with their day. As it is student-run, it is also financially accessible, offering more affordable food and drinks compared to other options. 

The regulars of Kriterion, like Simona, have formed an established community of employees and visitors. Regulars are essential in shaping the atmosphere, tone, and sense of community in a third place. They interact with one another and attract newcomers. The people are the main reason why Simona is drawn to Kriterion, where it is natural for random conversations to spark between strangers. Visitors share a similar mindset that you can talk with anyone. Even if you are sitting by yourself, you may have someone come up to you and start a conversation.

Most importantly, third places feel like a home away from home. This is why international students should seek one out in Amsterdam. The city becomes their home for several years, and in order to truly feel like a part of it, they must engage with more than just their second place student community. Third places build communities that are greatly intertwined with the city itself, evoking a sense of belonging. They bring together a broad range of people who may not have otherwise met. 

Kriterion was the first place where Simona could interact with Dutch people, helping to diffuse her initial unfamiliarity with Amsterdam and Dutch culture. Its mix of regulars and locals, coupled with an openness to conversation, creates a unique community that fosters a stronger attachment to the city. According to Simona, having a regular place to go outside of home and university allows one to get more acquainted with Amsterdam and feel more at home. By being part of a third-place community, international students have a place in Amsterdam not just as visitors, but as locals.