Eurekaweek opening: ‘You’re a Rotterdammer now’

Eurekaweek kicked off officially on Monday morning in a sweltering Ahoy hall. 3,200 – mostly nervous – new students, the Rotterdam song, sports and social clubs, and several speeches were the ingredients for the start of the introduction week.

The closer you get to Ahoy, the more students you see along the way. From those who are half-lost and keep pausing to check the way, to a guide whizzing past on his bike. He should have been there a while ago to welcome ‘his’ first-years at the beer table. Small processions of students keep emerging from the metro. There aren’t any long queues at the entrance, but there are two Red Bull vans and a few people in Red Bull sweaters handing out cans of energy drink, which quite a few students gratefully accept.

An hour before the start, the hall is already quite full. A quiz about Rotterdam, with a free Swapfiets as the prize, keeps the students occupied. There’s lively chatter at most tables and the ice is slowly breaking.

More important than Snoop Dogg

The programme begins at 11 o’clock sharp. Presenters Lucia Tarro and Lars Jennissen first outline what students can expect this week. Lucia sums it up: “In other words: it’s going to be gezellig.” Lars lists some big-name artists who have performed at Ahoy. For example, Queen, Snoop Dogg and K3 – whom he saw as recently as last April, he adds. “But the most important people who’ve ever been here, are here now.”

Over the next hour, the 3,200 first-years, the guides, students from student societies, and parents of the organising Eurekaweek management team listen to various speakers. Councillor Jeroen Postma tells the students that they are part of the city: “You are now a Rotterdammer. You are now part of this city.” He invites them to give something back to Rotterdam. “For example, look out for your neighbours, volunteer at a community centre, join one of the city’s many clubs, or contribute in some other way.”

Several other speeches focus on wellbeing. “Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness,” says rector magnificus Jantine Schuit. She explains that during her student years she was a member of an athletics club. Not only did she make friends for life there, but the place was also good for her body and mind. “It was also a place to share feelings and fears,” she explains. Those experiences have shaped her. Your student years can be overwhelming, know that you can get help or support at the university, she concludes.

Looking forward to the cantus

In between, students in the audience are called upon. That announcement sends a wave of unease through the hall. “Oh my god, can you please ask someone else,” says a German student nervously after the first question. Chandler, Marita and Iris all turn out to love the same sport: basketball. Francis, however, opts for something different: hockey. Further across the room, her answer is met with loud cheers.

Students can also submit answers via their phones. This reveals that the vast majority are ‘night owls’ and certainly not morning people. It also shows that most students had a commute of between thirty and sixty minutes this morning. Guide Tim is handed the microphone to say what he’s looking forward to the most: “The cantus, because that’s going to be fun”, he replies straight away. “Because of the great music and atmosphere”, adds the interviewer. “And the alcohol,” replies Tim. His fellow guide, Noah, agrees wholeheartedly. In the word cloud on the big screens, the most frequently mentioned word appears in the middle: beer.