{"id":158382,"date":"2023-08-29T16:57:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T14:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=158382"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:57","slug":"why-these-students-are-joining-these-associations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/08\/29\/why-these-students-are-joining-these-associations\/","title":{"rendered":"Why these students are joining these associations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

During the Eurekaweek, many first and second-year students join an association or a fraternity. So how do they choose which one? \u201cLaurentius turned up at the information market with one book, a damaged flyer and four people sitting on a table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"

Focus for a game of beerpong at RSG's outdoor terrace on the last day of the Eurekaweek.<\/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>

\n

Nick Meeuwissen (20, Economics) signed up with RSG during this week. \u201cLast Monday, the first day of the event. I\u2019d been here for three hours, and that was enough time for them to completely win me over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

There were clear reasons for him choosing RSG: \u201cEveryone introduces themselves to you, no one acts like you\u2019re worth less because you\u2019re not one of them and everything is pretty easygoing.\u201d Together with Tom Dierickx, Nick is taking part in the special RSG introduction programme, which is also open to students who can\u2019t take part in the Eurekaweek. After all, Tom cannot join the Eurekaweek, since he is a student in higher professional education. \u201cBut I still really wanted to have an introduction week. I liked it so much here, I thought: \u2018Why not?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

Tom and Nick are at RSG on the last Eurekaweek 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>

Looking for items in Decathlon<\/h2>
\n

On Thursday evening at Laurentius, no new members are present, because the closing party is only for senior members. But the new Lauri members still aren\u2019t hard to find, because they have to collect all the stuff on their packing list.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Jort Meinsma (18, Retail Management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences) is at the Decathlon sports retailer, looking for a white latex bathing cap. The Laurentius introduction period, or initiation week, will kick off on Saturday. \u201cI\u2019m feeling a little apprehensive. Getting everything on the packing list is giving me a fair amount of stress. And soon, of course, it\u2019ll be nine days of suffering. On the other hand, I\u2019m also looking forward to it. I think taking part will be pretty interesting. Just hitting rock bottom and, in doing so, really getting to know each other well. I think this could definitely be worthwhile and enjoyable, however tough the tasks and challenges may be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Initially, Jort intended to wait another year before becoming a member, but then he changed his minded during the Eurekaweek. \u201cI\u2019d registered for a place to sleep at Huize De Koninck, and this ultimately convinced me to become a member this year.\u201d He adds: \u201cNext year, my programme still won\u2019t be too intense, but in the third year, things will get busier, what with my internship. The first year of a student association is the most demanding, so I\u2019d be crazy if I didn\u2019t do it now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Jort is looking forward to feeling like a real student: \u201cI realised that my first HBO year still felt a lot like secondary school. In fact, there was no difference at all, and I was looking for something more. I think that Laurentius can offer me this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

Jort is in Decathlon, looking for a white latex bathing cap.<\/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>

Not so keen on Lauri<\/h2>
\n

It was an easy choice for Nikkie van \u2019t Hof (18) and Floor Schulpen (19). SSR is just right for them. \u201cI\u2019m the new youngest house member in our SSR house, Het Witte Huis, so I kind of didn\u2019t have a choice\u201d, recounts Nikkie, \u201cbut I was also really happy about it, and everyone has made a great impression on me. They\u2019re all nice people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Floor had briefly considered joining Laurentius. \u201cI even checked out Laurentius at the campus stands. Then I saw SSR festooned with pennants and balloons, with a table that was nicely set out with folders, flyers and all kinds of stuff. Laurentius turned up with one book, a damaged flyer and four people sitting round a table. I dropped by to say hello, even though I\u2019d already registered with SSR, but we didn\u2019t connect in the slightest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

SSR is not the biggest association in Rotterdam, but that is actually something that Nikkie likes. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit smaller than Laurentius and RSC\/RVSV, which I feel makes it a bit more intimate, and you get to know people much better. Everyone is really open and friendly.\u201d Floor adds: \u201cEveryone knows everyone else, so it\u2019s kind of like a family.\u201d She has to laugh: \u201cThen again, I hope it\u2019s not too much like a family, with all the stuff that goes on there sometimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

Nikkie and Floor like that SSR is not the largest student association in Rotterdam.<\/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>

Mild initiation<\/h2>
\n

Josephie Klein (19, University College) also considered joining Laurentius, but she ultimately went for NSR instead. \u201cI\u2019ve got a Christian background, and I think I ultimately feel very much at home at NSR. I think I can identify more with the people here than at Laurentius\u201d, she explains. She\u2019s sitting at a table and playing a card game with several senior students on the NSR terrace on Eendrachtsplein.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to this evening \u2013 it\u2019s the closing party, and it\u2019s known to be the best evening of the Eurekaweek. What\u2019s more, I liked the terrace most, just having a drink or two and meeting people. I really enjoy that.\u201d The NSR introduction week will start on Monday, and Josephie is feeling a little nervous about this. \u201cI have mixed feelings about it. As far as I know, it\u2019s not a really tough initiation\u201d, she says, \u201cbut maybe I\u2019ll have a different opinion about this next week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

Josephie on the terrace with NSR, her new student association.<\/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>\n\t

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

Lees meer<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t