{"id":102098,"date":"2019-08-22T16:24:53","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T14:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=102098"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:25","slug":"freshers-receive-culture-shock-while-exploring-rotterdam-nightlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2019\/08\/22\/freshers-receive-culture-shock-while-exploring-rotterdam-nightlife\/","title":{"rendered":"Freshers receive \u2018culture shock\u2019 while exploring Rotterdam nightlife"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the third evening of introduction week, the incoming first-year students explored Rotterdam nightlife. At three different venues, the various groups of students were treated to \u2018cultural activities\u2019 such as beer pong, a salsa workshop and karaoke. \u201cNormally I\u2019m always home by midnight, but here people keep partying until 5am.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At Coconuts on Stadhuisplein, \u2018the tropical heart of Rotterdam\u2019, the freshers are taught a salsa workshop by the Erasmus Dance Society. \u201cSome of them were really keen to join in, particularly when they had to dance with a partner. A lot of people really like that,\u201d said one of the female instructors, looking approvingly at the dancing pairs.<\/p>\n

\u2018Multi-cultural experience\u2019<\/h2>
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'Taco' and 'D\u00f6ner'<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFabienne Hoogendoorn<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

One of the pairs enjoying the dancing features a guy whose surname is D\u00f6ner, while his female dance partner\u2019s second name is Taco. They are incredibly amused by the coincidence. D\u00f6ner, who is half Turkish and half Romanian, spent last year in Amsterdam. \u201cI think Amsterdam is a great city, and I\u2019m a genuine Ajax fan. But I have to say that the clubs here in Rotterdam are much larger, which is a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

American IBEB student Julian, too, has no idea what\u2019s hitting him here in Rotterdam. Since he\u2019s not yet 21, he is not allowed to go out in the USA. In other words, this is his first time clubbing. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit of a culture shock. Normally I\u2019m always home by midnight, but here people keep partying until 5am,\u201d says Julian. \u201cAnd it\u2019s great that they\u2019re offering such a multi-cultural experience. It helps you sample many different aspects of the party scene here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karaoke<\/h2>
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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFabienne Hoogendoorn<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

On the way to its next destination, Club Nora on Coolsingel, the group makes a pit stop at Albert Heijn. \u201cBecause drinks are cheaper here,\u201d says the guide, Vivian, with a smile. This is a clubbing tip the freshers will definitely appreciate.<\/p>\n

Nora is already heaving with energy when the group enters. After all, the karaoke event has been going on for a while, and everyone is having a great time singing well-known party hits. For the Dutch attendees, the popular songs are Het is een nacht<\/em> by Guus Meeuwis and Ik neem je mee<\/em> by Gers Pardoel. The international students grab the microphone when Toto\u2019s Africa<\/em>, Britney Spears\u2019 Baby One More Time<\/em>\u00a0and ABBA (obviously) come on.<\/p>\n

At the top of his lungs<\/h2>
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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFabienne Hoogendoorn<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Although Indonesian IBEB student Axel didn\u2019t really join in the salsa dancing earlier, he, too, gives it his all during the karaoke session. His fellow group members are terribly amused when he starts singing Queen\u2019s \u2018Bohemian Rhapsody\u2019 at the top of his lungs. They are all looking at him in amazement when he suddenly enthusiastically joins in the singing. \u201cRotterdam nightlife is very lively, and the music is very good,\u201d he says, explaining his sudden vim.<\/p>\n

The two Finnish guides, Jenni and Vivian (both IBA students), are very happy with the evening programme. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing that students get to experience different aspects of everything Rotterdam nightlife has on offer. This will give them a good idea of the things they can do here,\u201d says Vivian. Jenni nods her approval and adds: \u201cThis also allows you to do things you wouldn\u2019t normally do on your own, and you\u2019re in great company for a proper exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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