{"id":180810,"date":"2025-08-19T13:49:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=180810"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:53","slug":"zaya-hoeft-niet-op-te-vallen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/08\/19\/zaya-hoeft-niet-op-te-vallen\/","title":{"rendered":"Zaya doesn’t need to stand out"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The security staff check the bag of everyone entering Annabel and Sahara on Monday evening. In Zaya’s (18) bag there is only a bike battery, because he is afraid it will be stolen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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'By wearing something a bit neutral, people can get to know me through my own personality, rather than what I'm wearing, or my appearance', says Zaya about his outfit during 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\tDaan Stam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

He switches easily between English and Dutch with his new friends. He is from the Netherlands, but lived in the United Arab Emirates for thirteen years, until his family moved back to the Netherlands three years ago. \u201cI have been going to international schools for almost my whole life, English is the language I feel most comfortable in.\u201d That is why he is starting the international version of economics and business this year.<\/p>\n

Long curls<\/h2>

Zaya has warm brown curls. Today he has styled them using only the necessary products. When he was younger they were really long. His big mass of curls even got him modelling work for a teenage swimwear brand back then. He shaved his curls off for years, but now they are slowly coming back. \u201cI do think I look nicer like this, but I do have to pay more attention to it.\u201d His curls need daily care to keep looking good.<\/p>\n

He wears a simple black T-shirt from Zara that, together with his faux designer jeans, creates a silhouette of straight lines. Under his left leg he is wearing a foot brace. Due to a football injury his mobility was reduced and he now needs extra support. On his feet are a pair of black Air Force 1s. \u201cThese are my number one shoe. They\u2019re just a versatile shoe, I can wear them pretty much anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bit neutral<\/h2>

On Sunday evening he gave some thought to the clothes he wanted to wear during the Eurekaweek. Comfort was an important factor.\u201dAnd that I like it\u201d, says Zaya, \u201cbut that it is not too much. That it just looks neutral, normal.\u201d An introduction week is not the place for him to draw attention to himself. He wants to be prepared for anything that might happen and not come across as inappropriate. Zaya wants to avoid prejudice.\u201dBy wearing something a bit neutral, people can get to know me through my own personality, rather than what I\u2019m wearing, or my appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Zaya wants to join the sailing club, so besides his own bracelet and the Eurekaweek wristband he is wearing two more bands on his wrist.<\/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\tDaan Stam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Zaya spent the afternoon at the sailing club. There he decided to sign up and that earned him two new bands. One on his left wrist that marks him out as a newcomer to the club. And on his right wrist a payment band, which works the same way as the one from the Eurekaweek. On his left wrist there is also a bracelet. It is a silver-coloured piece of jewellery with a four-pointed star and two chain bands, one thick and one thin. He likes having something special on, despite his simple outfit. He says: \u201cI like the colour mainly, it\u2019s not as basic as other bracelets.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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What is the nicest compliment you have ever received?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“At my job an older woman told me my hair was very beautiful. She liked how I had styled it. It was a kind of wet look, with more hydrated curls.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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