After that, you and your fellow students will be divided up into groups. Over the coming week, you will spend most of your time with this group and your guides.
Once the groups have been sorted out, then it is time for the opening ceremony. Important people from the university and the city of Rotterdam will hold speeches and a few surprises are in store as well.
By this time, you could probably use some energy. Some thought has gone into this. During the Eat and Greet on the Binnenrotte, you have the opportunity to get to know your fellow students and your Eurekaweek guide better over a good lunch and a can of Red Bull or Desparados 0.0. Has the conversation ground to a halt after you have found out all there is to know about someone’s volleyball career in Ridderkerk? Is there an awkward silence? Not to worry. A QR code with interesting questions can be found on the benches in Ahoy to help you get to know each other better.
Dancing or karaoke?
After the Eat & Greet, the time has come to explore the wonderful city that is to be your new home. Your guides will take you on a voyage of discovery through the many varied parts of Rotterdam. If you thought this was going to be a laid-back city walk, then hang on to that idea. One thing is for sure, there definitely aren’t any whacky challenges set out for you.
After a dinner at your guide’s home or at a student association hangout, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to dance or sing. You could go dancing at the Throwback Party in the Maassilo, a former grain silo that is now one of the biggest event venues in Rotterdam. The party is in keeping with the theme of the week: Your Time is Now. At this party, you get to step back in time. Each of the three rooms has music from a different era, there is a photobooth along with a glow-in-the-dark theme. Not your thing? Then head to the Karaoke Night in the notorious Fame bar. Are you the only one who doesn’t sing out of tune? – Who knows, you might even be discovered.
By the way, don’t forget to ask around about all the things the student associations are organising during Eurekaweek!