AID 2023 started in sunny conditions. Photo Luuk Zegers During the Annual Introduction Days (AID), the new bachelor’s and master’s students get to know each other, the city, the campus, and student life. The newcomers kicked off on Friday, August 18th, with the Campus Games. Later in the day, there will be association presentations, a pub night, and the campus festival.
Eric Weyerstrass from Germany has come to Wageningen for the master’s in Urban Environmental Management. He is looking for his AID-group, and in the meantime has time for a brief chat. ‘There is no comparable study program in Germany. There are two other universities in the Netherlands that offer a similar program, but Wageningen has a good reputation in Life Sciences. That’s how I ended up here.’ Weyerstrass expects to ‘get to know things’ during the AID. ‘Getting to know people, getting to know the campus, and getting to know the city of Wageningen. That’s about it.’
Floor Wiegerinck is studying Landscape Architecture and is an “AID-mom”. ‘A fellow student was looking for someone to mentor an AID-group together. It seemed fun to me to meet new people and show them Wageningen, so I decided to participate.’ Wiegerinck herself participated in the AID two years ago. ‘In COVID-times, very different from now, with more small-scale activities.’
Making friends
Wiegerinck hopes that the AID participants in her group will become enthusiastic about where they study. ‘I hope they quickly find their place here and maybe even join an association. It’s not necessary, but that way they’ll get to know a lot of people right away. We’ll just show them everything, and then they can decide for themselves what they want.’
Mirre Dingemanse is starting the bachelor’s in Health and Society. ‘I chose Wageningen because it’s the only university with this program. Additionally, it also seems like a really nice university – a bit smaller than, say, Rotterdam. I’m from Zeeland, so Rotterdam would be closer, but all the stories I’ve heard about Wageningen are super positive. Luckily, I’ve found a room now.’
During the AID, Dingemanse hopes to get to know the surroundings. ‘So that I have a bit of an idea about the area. And of course, to make new friends and have a good time. I’m excited.’
AID 2023 lasts from Friday, August 18th, until Wednesday, August 23rd. The program can be found here.
