Jamal looking for the best friends: ‘We both love beer’

During Eurekaweek, EM reporter Jamal searches for students with a surprising story. Who comes from far away, who is the most hungover during sports and who has already made friends? At the cantus he found two students who had met each other a few hours earlier and are already best friends.

The second evening of Eurekaweek is all about the cantus at Ahoy. The hunt for first-years who are already inseparable begins at the bar. The first pitchers are already flying across the bar. Then the band takes the stage. They are welcomed with loud cheers and kick off the evening with the song Sweet Caroline. Students link arms and in some groups people are already spinning around. The band’s lead singer asks: “Are you ready Rotterdam?“

Love for beer

Beside a table full of pitchers Elena (22), accounting student, and Isabel (21), Media & Creative Industries student, dance a kind of tango with each other. “We met a few hours ago”, Elena says. Outside the two shout over the loud music to explain how it is they can already be best friends.

“We met this afternoon at the master’s networking event. I said a swear word in Spanish and Elena heard it. Then she suddenly replied in Spanish”, Isabel says. Their Spanish background is not the only thing that clicked. “We both love beer”, Elena immediately calls out. Is there another shared interest? “No idea, what do you actually like?” asks Isabel. Making new friends is something they both enjoy and there was simply an ‘instant connection’.

The oldest in the group

The friendship between master’s student Sahil (25) and exchange student Otto (27) developed during the first two days of Eurekaweek. Together they walk towards the exit. The other students at their table meanwhile sing loudly along to Het regent zonnestralen by Acda and De Munnik.

“We started talking about the ages of students in our group. That’s when we realised we were by far the oldest”, Otto says. In addition, the two connected through their humour. “I am very open and like to make daring jokes. Otto had the same dark humour which meant we laughed a lot”, Sahil explains.

It was this openness that led them to share all kinds of embarrassing and adventurous stories with each other. What those stories are? Otto and Sahil exchange a cautious look. After repeated questioning the boys refuse to say anything more. The anecdotes are probably only meant for the oldest in the group.