First-years find new besties during Eurekaweek: ‘I want to be friends with her in ten years’ time’

For first-years, the Eurekaweek can be quite daunting: a new study, a new city and thousands of unfamiliar faces. But during the Festival at Lloyd Multiplein, it became clear that new friendships already form in the very first week of student life.

‘I want to have breakfast with her every day’

First-years Lynn and Theresa know exactly when their meet-cute took place: 15 August. They are about to start Arts and Science and live in LUCIA, the student complex of Erasmus University College. “We bumped into each other in the basement and started chatting”, says Lynn.

They clicked immediately. On the first night they went out together and since then they spent a lot of time together, including during the Eurekaweek. They were assigned to different Eurekaweek groups, but kept seeking each other out. “We just switched groups so we could be together. I went to her group or she came to mine”, says Theresa. “During the sports day we looked around together and now we’re visiting all the stalls for free freebies.”

According to them, they already know a lot about each other. “It’s not like we’re interviewing each other or anything. We’re real yappers, so we just tell each other things about our lives. We can chat all day.”

The girls can already see themselves still being friends in ten years’ time. “I don’t care whether she wants to stay friends, I definitely do”, says Theresa. They have already developed a ritual: having breakfast together. “The first time we did that, I immediately thought: I’d happily do this every morning!”

‘I can always have a laugh with him’

Economics students Gijs and Jad got to know each other a few weeks before the Eurekaweek. During the pre-academic programme, they were in a Teams meeting with all the first-years. “Jad saw my name and thought: yes, he’s Dutch. So he turned on his microphone and shouted over everyone: ‘Gijs!’ That got my attention”, says Gijs. Last week they saw each other in person for the first time on campus. “My pupils dilated when I saw him and we instantly became best friends”, jokes Jad.

Why do they get on so well? “He’s a white man, it’s good for my image to have white friends”, laughs Jad. But seriously: “I can always have a laugh with him.” And the feeling is mutual. Gijs: “Jad genuinely has no shame.”

Gijs mentions an assignment they were given last week while preparing for their studies. They had to present their learning plan as a theatre performance. “So we re-enacted the Battle of Waterloo. I was Napoleon and Jad was the narrator. He made sound effects whenever there was action and then shamelessly started singing loudly in French on stage.” But what does the Battle of Waterloo have to do with economics? “Nothing. That’s why the lecturer rejected it.”

The two plan to have a great time during the Festival. What was their favourite part of the Eurekaweek programme? “It doesn’t matter, mate. As long as we’re together, we have fun.”

‘We have deep conversations with each other’

First-year Louis is about to study Psychology at the Erasmus University and Isaac is starting Healthcare Technology at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. The two met on Monday during a game of table tennis on campus. After Isaac beat Louis a few times, they started talking. “He’s a calm person, and so am I. I like that”, says Isaac.

The boys then started spending time together. Isaac is from Eindhoven and does not know Rotterdam very well yet, so Louis has taken on the role of guide. “I was born and raised in Rotterdam, so this is my hood”, laughs Louis.

Although they have only known each other for a few days, they already know quite a lot about one another. Louis knows, for example, that Isaac has two sisters and lots of cousins, is half French, enjoys speaking French and skateboarding, and likes listening to music. But they don’t only talk about everyday things. “We’ve had deep personal conversations”, says Isaac. “And that’s quite special: that we can be so open with each other even though we’ve only just met.”

Will the friendship last now that they are studying at different institutions? “I’m sure I’ll see him again. He’s a cool guy”, says Louis.

‘She is the second visitor to my new room’

Sennah and Anna are about to study Criminology and were sitting next to each other during the Opening Ceremony. They turned out to be the only people in their Eurekaweek group with bicycles, so after the ceremony they cycled to campus together. “That’s when we started talking and discovered that we actually have quite a lot in common”, says Anna. They both have curly hair, come from religious families and have a younger brother. “And we both have a really old Gazelle bike with a complicated lock”, Anna laughs.

Since that bike ride, the two have spent a lot of time together. During Campus Day of Eurekaweek they walked around together, ate together and Sennah visited Anna’s room. “I only moved into this room last Sunday, so she’s my second visitor”, says Anna. There they had a good chat and tried a new Pringles flavour: the pesto variety. “I wouldn’t recommend it”, says Sennah.

They enjoy each other’s company and plan to stay friends during their studies. “If we’re still friends when we graduate, we’ll call EM and you can take another photo of us.”