{"id":174838,"date":"2025-01-15T16:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T15:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=174838"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:39","slug":"students-are-the-new-santa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/01\/15\/students-are-the-new-santa\/","title":{"rendered":"Students are the new Santa"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, I chose to spend the holidays in Serbia for two reasons. First, I couldn\u2019t face yet another round of the World War III imitation that usually takes place in the Netherlands around New Year\u2019s. Second, and far more importantly, I wanted to witness something extraordinary: Santa finally arriving in Serbia (Orthodox Christmas was last week), bearing the greatest gift of all \u2013 hope.<\/p>\n

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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\tLevien Willemse<\/a>, \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPauline Wiersema<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

For years, I\u2019ve avoided Serbia during the holiday season. Over time, the reasons for joy slowly started disappearing as the shoulders of most people seemed to be cracking under the increasing weight of daily life. The truth is that, regardless of the season, old, bearded dudes in these parts are usually a cause of high corruption and general incompetence, leaving everyone in a fearful, rather than joyful, anticipation. Tragically, these fears became reality on 1 November, when the canopy of Novi Sad\u2019s newly \u2018fully reconstructed\u2019 main train station collapsed<\/a>, killing fifteen people. This wasn\u2019t a freak accident but the direct result of a botched, corrupt project by a government more focused on lining its pockets than ensuring public safety.<\/p>\n

The loss was devastating and threatened to extinguish what little hope people had left. But then, a miracle happened: Serbia\u2019s students occupied university faculties across the country, demanding accountability and justice. Their asks are simple: a thorough investigation and punishment for those responsible. Yet, the response to these reasonable demands has been (and still is) continuous harassment, physical attacks, and vilification in corrupt media. However, such reaction only ignited a larger movement. The protests grew, including over 100,000 supporters \u2013 an unprecedented show of solidarity in Serbia\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Besides joining the protests, I had the privilege of visiting psychology students at their occupied faculty to deliver a lecture. What I saw there left me awestruck. Sleeping bags lined the floors, daily tasks were meticulously organised, and agendas for future actions were in place. But more than that, the room was filled with optimism, resilience, and contagious energy. To those students, and to all the young people standing up for what\u2019s right, I can only say: thank you<\/em>. An equally heartfelt thank you goes to their professors, who, despite risking their own safety, stand by their students. By doing so, they teach lessons far more valuable than any curriculum could offer \u2013 lessons about human rights, respect, and the freedom every person deserves. Isn\u2019t that the greatest purpose of our profession?<\/p>\n

As teachers, we have both the responsibility and the privilege of helping students harness their incredible power for meaningful change. Considering that EUR classrooms are (and will hopefully remain) diverse and international, we have a unique opportunity to empower students who can become catalysts for change that transcends borders and creates a global impact. For those who might doubt the quality of such transformation, I can now confidently say: students know better than anyone the kind of future they want to live in. After seeing a glimpse of the world they are fighting for, rest assured \u2013 it will be magnificent!<\/p>\n\t

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Irena Bo\u0161kovi\u0107 is assistant professor of Forensic and Legal Psychology.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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