{"id":142705,"date":"2022-08-15T14:38:17","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T12:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=142705"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:22","slug":"international-day-tote-bags-stand-up-comedy-and-a-thousand-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/08\/15\/international-day-tote-bags-stand-up-comedy-and-a-thousand-students\/","title":{"rendered":"International Day: tote bags, stand-up comedy and a thousand students"},"content":{"rendered":"

The grand opening is on Monday, but Eurekaweek 2022 already soft launched in on Sunday afternoon. Around a thousand international students gathered in the hall of Theil Building to get a kickstart of their time in Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Students inform themselves about different organisations during International Day.<\/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\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Many different conversations were buzzing in Theil\u2019s hallway \u2013 from looking forward (\u2018Which career do you want to have?\u2019) to looking backwards (\u2018Do you miss home?\u2019), to simply looking around (\u2018Let\u2019s see what other free stuff we can get\u2019).<\/p>\n

From the airport to Theil <\/h2>
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Student Mariana arrived in Rotterdam just in time for the International Day. <\/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\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Mariana, a future MSc Marketing Management student, ended up with several tote bags, which she\u2019d have to take home together with her big suitcase, as she arrived in Rotterdam just a couple hours before the event. \u201cI woke up at 6 am, took a flight from Portugal to Rotterdam, where I\u2019d never been, and took a taxi directly to campus. Got lost on campus. Felt overwhelmed and nervous. And then, everyone here was so helpful and friendly, that now I know I\u2019ve made the right choice to come to Erasmus\u201d, shared Mariana.<\/p>\n

Secret to making Dutch friends<\/h2>

In the backdrop of the information market, a series of presentations took place in the Aula, providing practical advice to students on how to thrive, not survive as an international student: from getting your BSN (social security number) to signing up for the \u2018Yoga & Bubble Tea\u2019 event by ESN (Erasmus Student Network<\/em>). Among the speakers, there was Greg Shapiro, a Dutch-American comedian and author, who shared his own advice in an honest way (\u201cDutch is a very intimate language, try not to exchange bodily fluids while pronouncing it!\u201d) and kept the whole audience laughing. Best way to make friends with Dutchies, according to Greg? Make fun of Belgians.<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Student Katryna always makes fun of her fellow countrypeople.<\/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\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Does it work among Erasmus students? Apparently, it does! Katryna, a future IBA student from Belgium, agreed with the comedian: \u201cI chose the Netherlands because of the English language and great courses offered at the university, but I\u2019m not going to lie, I do make fun of Belgians to connect with my Dutch friends\u201d. Most of all Katryna is now excited to meet new people and begin her independent life \u2013 among thousands of more students who are embarking on the same path starting this week.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Read more<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t