Obstacle course, samba, drawing: USP neighbours get to know one another

Polman is a Philosophy, Politics & Economics student in Amsterdam who has been living in the blue Johanna building for four years. He had high hopes for campus life when he first moved in, but soon discovered that most people just lived their own lives, without interacting much with one another. “People live here, but they basically only use it as a place to sleep.”

A livable USP
The second edition of the Neighbours’ Day Festival includes a stamp card, just like the first edition. Residents are invited to follow a route past all the housing complexes on campus, with a resident-organised activity at each stop. A cocktail workshop, learning how to dance the samba, an obstacle course, group painting... People at Neighbours' Day certainly can't be bored. The food trucks that usually only operate at USP during the week are parked in between, in case anyone needs a bite.

Collecting stamps. Photo: Matthijs Meulblok

Everything today must contribute to improving the quality of life at USP, something residents have been working towards for quite a while. Polman lobbies tirelessly for this cause. He emphasises the importance of having a sense of community at USP. “There is a great deal of anonymity and loneliness amongst residents,” he stresses. “Most students do have a social life, but it takes place elsewhere."

But if USP residents join forces, they get stronger. Together, they have already secured a package collection point, for example. Buurthuys, the neighbourhood centre, was celebrated as a victory, although it is already back on the list to be closed down. Today, the community centre is a gallery showcasing residents’ artwork. According to Polman, Buurthuys is already making a significant contribution to improving the quality of life on campus, given the large turnout in events organised there.

Exhibition at Het Buurthuys. Photo: Matthijs Meulblok

Things are slowly getting underway
As we walk towards Plaza around half past four – the gold and silver block of flats where many international students live – we don’t see much going on yet. According to Polman, students tend to get going a bit later anyway. On a small lawn behind the international students’ block, we already come across a large group of excited volunteers handing out drinks to the first visitors. People are playing chess at several tables. 

Playing chess at Plaza. Photo: Matthijs Meulblok

Andrei, from Ukraine, has been living at High Five for a month. The international student is studying Interdisciplinary Research & Behavioural Sciences. He’s already got to know his neighbours in the building a little, but he misses places where he could meet people spontaneously. After all, his building isn’t finished yet, and doesn't have such a spot.

Andrei welcomes the festival and calls it a great initiative. “It’s all about community and meeting new people.” Not long after, he joins a table to play a game of chess with a neighbour he hasn’t met before.

Marie, from Germany, is organising the local part of Neighbours’ Day in "her" Plaza. The Economics & Business Economics student emphasises how lovely it is to have so many volunteers. Her building was inaugurated six years ago, but the turnover is high, as international residents usually have one-year contracts. “Many of them don’t know anyone and come from different countries.” Marie sees the Neighbours’ Day festival as an opportunity to build a cultural and social community. “We’re well on our way,” she says enthusiastically.

Early birds at Plaza. Photo: Matthijs Meulblok

Taking Cambridgelaan by storm
The first barbecues have been lit at Alpenweide, behind Cambridgelaan. It isn’t busy yet, but Polman says it was the most popular spot last year. It looks as though this year’s event will attract a large crowd here as well – if only because of the inflatable obstacle course where students can challenge one another.

People start arriving, little by little, as neighbours play kubb and volleyball. Other students draw portraits of each other, and the drinks flow freely. Ellemijn, a Biomedical Sciences student, walks over with her neighbour Lianne, who is studying Physiotherapy at the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU). Both have been living on Cambridgelaan for about a year.

When asked whether they get on well with their neighbours, they admit they don’t know them very well. They do, however, get on well with their flatmates. Their social life revolves mainly around their studies, sports and friends. Lianne: “Everyone leads their own little life, even though the neighbours’ front door is right opposite ours." This is what Polman means by "anonymity". 

Breaking that anonymity is one of the event's goals. “This is a day when you meet people you wouldn’t expect to meet in your everyday life,” says Ellemijn. Lianne is more sceptical about whether the festival will help neighbours get to know each other better. “You don’t ask someone exactly where they live at an event like this.”

Tumbling on the obstacle course. Photo: Matthijs Meulblok