New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

Translated by Thomas Ansell

In other years Leeuwarden’s city centre would be steeling itself for a huge influx of fresh students, all eager to get out and enjoy the city. This year, however, new students will be able to familiarise themselves with the city through a virtual introduction week. The week is being organised by Leeuwarden Student City, along with the universities in the Frisian capital. As reported by the Omrop Fryslân.

Carin van der Meij, director of Leeuwarden Student City, said that it quickly became clear that the previously planned intro week (Leip! Festival) would have to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus. “We couldn’t let the new cohort of students discover the city in the same way. It was clear that the Leip! Festival couldn’t go ahead. We then put lots of time into finding an alternative. It was somewhat difficult, because it also became clear that our original ‘plan B’ wouldn’t work too.”

Leeuwarden Student City then worked with the University of Groningen’s Campus Fryslân, and NHL Stenden, to find an alternative that includes holding introduction activities on the outdoor spaces of each campus. One activity is a virtual tour through the city on static bikes, an exhibition from a holographic artist, a number of food trucks, and a theatrical performances. Van Hall Laurenstein university will be organising its own activities.

All activities must adhere to the regulation that only 100 students can gather in one place at one time, so organisers have come up with a group system that even extends to public transport so that the public transport in the city isn’t overwhelmed, and so that social distancing can be upheld. All organised activities have also been cleared with the city council, and local police. “Receiving these students is a whole organisation in and of itself”, says Van der Meij, “and it’s a huge ask logistically. Student’s can’t be on busses at the same time, for example, so we have put together a running order for everything”.

“It’s still the start of an important part of your life, and so we think that we really have to try and give the same spirit, to let people start on their feet”, says Van der Meij. She is, however, realistic about the number of students that will turn up for the altered introduction week. “There will be fewer International students than other years, but it is looking like the drop in numbers will be smaller than expected”, she says.