Lots of focus on wellbeing freshmen during opening of Eurekaweek

The Eurekaweek kicked off with the official opening in Ahoy. Around six thousand people watched the entire Rotterdam student life pass by.

‘Take care of yourself and each other,’ was the message given to the 4,600 Eurekaweek-goers during the opening in Ahoy on Monday morning. Attention to the wellbeing of the new students was the common thread in the talks by the rector and the chair of the Eurekaweek Management, among others.

At full blast

The opening is the classic parade of associations, music and dignitaries welcoming the new students to Rotterdam and to Erasmus University. From the rector magnificus and presidents of associations to alderman Vincent Karremans, today in the role of deputy mayor, who sings along with Het Rotterdamlied (The Rotterdam song) by the Hermes House Band at the top of his voice.

Serious tone

The serious undertone of the programme is striking. “It can be quite overwhelming to be here”, says chair Veerle Petersen in her opening speech to the nearly six thousand attendees this morning in Ahoy. “So reach out to each other if you think it’s necessary and offer your support.” After which, above all, she also wished everyone lots of fun this week.

Student success

Rector magnificus Annelien Bredenoord also reserved space in her speech to urge newcomers to seek help with problems, and to speak out if they see transgressive behaviour. She also emphasised that studying is more than getting good grades, and that it is not about study success but about student success. En passant, she also reports that fourteen dialogues on sustainability will take place in the coming months.

After impressive images of Rotterdam just after the bombardment of 14 May 1940, and Het Rotterdamlied sung en masse by the senior students (and the alderman), Ahoy empties out in the direction of Zuidplein, following the signs with the group numbers to lunch on the Binnenrotte.