{"id":86113,"date":"2018-04-06T12:39:01","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T10:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=86113"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T09:00:14","slug":"ik-wil-dat-de-studenten-ook-wat-terug-doen-voor-de-stad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/04\/06\/ik-wil-dat-de-studenten-ook-wat-terug-doen-voor-de-stad\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I want students to give something back to the city\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rather than taking another trip abroad or studying a subject in greater depth, the students in the Honours Programme of Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) cook up dinner for parents visiting Ronald McDonald House at Sophia Children\u2019s Hospital. Quite different to what their \u2018colleagues\u2019 in other faculties can expect.<\/p>\n

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Max (l) and Tamim (second on the left)<\/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\tLevien Willemse<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cYesterday I heard that the students in RSM\u2019s Honours Programme were going on a study trip to Silicon Valley. While we\u2019re slaving away here for free. It\u2019s an outrage.\u201d Seeing the big smiles on the four students\u2019 faces, we should probably take their complaints with a grain of salt. We find them once again throwing their hearts into their job for the day: to make dinner at the Ronald McDonald House for 50 parents of children admitted to Sophia Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n

In other words, second-year students Max, Tamim, Jeremy and Roos won\u2019t be spending the afternoon basking on a sunny Californian beach. Instead, it\u2019s time to roll up their sleeves. \u201cIt\u2019s a new experience, for sure,\u201d says Jeremy, who\u2019s checking whether the mass of green beans and broccoli are ready. \u201cHardly what you expect when you go to university \u2013 or enter the Honours Programme for that matter. But that\u2019s what makes it nice too.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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Every EUR faculty has its own Honours Programme. This programme is described as follows on the University site: Erasmus University offers exceptionally talented and motivated students the opportunity to enrol in a special honours programme in tandem with their regular programme. In these ambitious extra-curricular programmes, the very best EUR students and lecturers are brought together in an inspiring and intensive study environment. This challenging and demanding academic setting allows them to work together to make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n

Broader horizons<\/h2>

\u201cKeeping their feet on the ground,\u201d \u2013 that\u2019s how university lecturer and ESSB\u2019s Honours Programme Coordinator Brian Godor sums up the new course he has charted with the students. While in many cases, the programmes for very gifted students often offer an in-depth treatment of the theoretical underpinnings of their field, Godor went for a different approach. \u201cWe still offer that as well, but in principle, they\u2019re already \u2018well catered for\u2019 intellectually speaking. I\u2019d much rather see the students become a well-rounded person than become a lot smarter \u2013 they usually don\u2019t have to worry about their marks. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve decided to broaden their horizons rather than go in-depth.\u201d<\/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<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

And this broadening doesn\u2019t just take place at the children\u2019s hospital \u2013 it resurfaces in a variety of guises. \u201cOne student wanted to give something back to her village. So she decided to make the rounds delivering medicine. Other students volunteered for the Dutch Council for Refugees.\u201d Godor has drawn inspiration for the Honours Programme 2.0 <\/em>from his home country, the US. \u201cStudents there often do volunteer work for their fellow citizens: community service. I want our students to give something back to the city too. After all, their degree programme costs society a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sticky<\/h2>

The students working in the Ronald McDonald House kitchen share Godor\u2019s vision. \u201cThis makes it really easy to do something in return,\u201d says Tamim. After he and fellow chef Roos serve the first 20 plates (curry with rice and vegetables), they take a moment to reflect on the past few hours. Roos: \u201cThings like this make you more aware of the world around you. I had heard of this place, but this allows you to see up close what it\u2019s like. And it\u2019s so easy to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018You make people happy, and they have one thing less to worry about. That\u2019s reward enough for your work\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Although the afternoon had its challenges. Like typical students, the four would have no chance of getting into \u2018Master Chef\u2019. But Max, the most experienced cook of the group, still manages to pull the crew across the finish line. Although watching the other three pile enough food on each plate to feed a family of five, he can\u2019t help looking slightly perturbed: \u201cIt could have been better. The broccoli is mushy; the rice is too sticky. I hope they enjoy it nonetheless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Memorable experience<\/h2>

An hour later, his concerns prove unfounded. The plates are wiped clean and the four chefs have had their fill of compliments. Meaning that Max too can look back on a job well done. \u201cThis is one experience I won\u2019t be forgetting any time soon. It\u2019s great to be able to help these people, who have it hard enough as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tamim agrees. \u201cYou make people happy, and they have one thing less to worry about. That\u2019s reward enough for your work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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From left to right: Jeremy, Max, volunteer Janneke and Roos.<\/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\tLevien Willemse<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t

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