Group Butterflies and the Annual Introduction Days

On Friday, August 21st the Annual Introduction Days (or AID) began. Prior to coming to the Netherlands, I received an e-mail from my mentor that would guide my group and I through these orientation days. You call these mentors your 'mum' and 'dad', but my group had two mums. Actually, one of our mums was sick so she did not join our group until later in the week. So by the end of AID, my group had had FIVE mums haha!


The purpose of AID is to familiarize yourself with the campus and other important places...such as a supermarket, bike store, restaurants, where to get an international phone, etc. The group I was placed in was primarily for first year Masters students because I was told that the groups filled with Bachelors students are typically all Dutch-speaking people. My AID group had, I think, 24 people in it and only three of the students were Dutch. It was so interesting meeting people from all over...and I truly mean ALL over. Places such as China, Latvia, Bulgaria, Peru, Ecuador, Canada, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, and so many other places that I can't even remember! We were such a diverse group but we all got along really well. Even though each person had their own native language, everyone was able to speak English. Sometimes I felt so ignorant because everyone can speak at least TWO languages, but most knew more than two. Especially those from Europe. And everyone is so modest and won't just come right out and gloat that they know 6 languages! Soooo nuts!


Oh, you are probably wondering why we were called the 'Butterflies'...and that is because on the first day of AID your mentors would give you something to distinguish yourself from other groups. Some people were given capes or banana hats or happy birthday hats or plungers to carry around. And we were given butterflies that you could clip to your hair or shirts! And THAT is why we were called Group Butterflies haha!


I do not even know where to start when explaining the AID!! We were pretty busy all day with various activities, such as one night we had a comedy night! The comedy night took place at a building that had a bunch of different stages and you could pick which theatre you wanted to go into depending on the different comedians that were performing. Luckily, there was a stage that only featured English comedians haha! We also had a sports day where we competed with our group against other groups in various sports...I really should look up what the names of some of the sports are...! It was a really fun day and the weather was beautiful so it was perfect to be outside all day! I wore my Florida Gators t-shirt that day and I actually had a couple people approach me about my shirt...gooo Gators!


I learned a lot during these introduction days, including where certain things are located. Now I feel much more comfortable bike riding around the town and finding a specific store or ice cream shoppe (yes...there is an awesome gelato shoppe that I have already frequented more than I wish to admit)! Right outside this shoppe, there is a jewelry store that has very interesting pieces. I am shocked by how small the town of Wageningen is (I think like 30,000 people) yet they have a large range of stores....like many modern ones filled with different and uncomfortable-looking furniture!


We went to the market one day during AID. Every Wednesday and Saturday there is a market in the town centre where they sell fruit, meat, cheese, flowers, plates, fabric, and even dog treats! It is so great that it occurs so often because it is a great place to buy fresh, cheap food and enjoy the open air.


The only downside to AID was that we were so busy all-day everyday that I had no time to really meet my corridor mates. I would be gone by 9am and not return until...late! But after these days were through, I knew I would have time to meet the people on my floor.


Now back to getting home late (haha!)...here in Holland they have 'associations' which are like fraternities and sororities. Except associations are co-ed. During AID, these different associations would throw parties at night, which was their way of recruiting new members. These associations were SO fun and had the craziest themes and different DJs each night! So the week after AID, the people that signed up to join an association had to go through their initiation week. One of the parties we went to turned the dance floor into a rollerblading rink. I have not been rollerblading in FOREVER but it was very fun with everyone running into walls and attempting to stay standing while still dancing and singing to the music! Another themed party was the silent disco. You walked into the association and were given headphones to put on. So, the song playing in my headphones would be different than the person next to me. You would see people dancing to their own song around the room and it was hilarious to watch cause you would be wondering what song they were listening to! There was also a foam party that was crazy...and wet. One thing is for sure...Dutch people sure do know how to throw a party haha!


I am really glad that I chose to study abroad in the Fall because the AID are only offered in the Fall for the incoming Masters and Bachelor students! I would recommend everyone coming to Wageningen to participate in these days because you really meet a lot of people and get to know the town and the Dutch culture much better!


Ohh...that's something I forgot to mention: one of the activities we attended was like a crash course in Dutch. We were given a cheat sheet of common words and phrases that we should learn. Everything from "good morning" and "thank you" to "can I have a beer"! Another event during AID was going to the International Club. There are a few different international clubs at Wageningen. So, there was a day where all the international students would check these clubs out and while we were doing that the Dutch students would be taken on tours of the different associations! Every Thursday the international club meets at a specific pub where you get the chance to meet other international students. So, I am definitely planning on going to just see how it is! I still have not met anyone from the United States yet, so I am on a hunt to find at least one person from there haha! I'll keep you posted on how my search goes!

one of the activities on Sports Day

at the roller blading partyyyy

at the foam party

saw a movie at the town centre and people brought MATTRESSES to sit on

at a concert during AID with part of Group Butterflies

hanna and I preparing to bike to the next party