UIT is about partying hard but also 'drinking lots of water'

Monday morning. The tunes of the song UITblinken resound at the local concert venue TivoliVredenburg. The Utrecht Student Big Band, who wrote the theme song for this year's event, is onstage. Most students have already picked up the armbands that will grant them access to all activities in the programme.

The performance kickstarts the 27th edition of the introduction week, an event in which freshers from all higher education institutions in Utrecht are introduced to the city and their new life. This includes Utrecht University, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University of the Arts, MBO Utrecht and ROC Midden Nederland. The event will run until Thursday, August 15.

The right balance between partying and studying
The Opening Show is preceded by speeches by UU Vice-President Margot van der Starre and the chair of the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Wilma Scholte op Reimer. They both shared their experiences as students.

“I was allowed to study a bit longer. It took me seven years to graduate,” says Van der Starre, who studied Literary Studies at the University of Amsterdam. Scholte op Reimer studied Nursing at the Saxion University of Applied Sciences as well as Health Sciences at Maastricht University. She admitted that she liked to party back then. According to her, it’s all about finding the “right balance between partying and studying.”

But they didn't only talk about the positive side of things. “University is often described as the time of your life, but students are also faced with problems, like finding out that your study doesn’t suit you,” says the host.

“We sometimes hear about students not feeling their best. Remember that you’re not alone in that regard,” says Van der Starre. Scholte op Reimer then gives some advice: “Dare to reach out to each other, even if that makes you a bit nervous. Do your thing.” But, above all, “enjoy.”

Small international group
The UIT participants then meet their respective groups and mentors at Paardenveld. Lotus, from New Zealand, and Lynn, from Germany, are still looking for their group. They met each other thanks to a group chat for international students in Utrecht. Lynn is starting a Bachelor's in Media and Culture while Lotus is going to study Global Sustainability Science.

Lotus was placed in a group comprised of English-speaking students from abroad. Their mentor is also equipped to provide information that is useful for international students, such as explanations about the local student culture, which most international students are not familiar with.

Lynn accidentally signed up for a "regular", Dutch-speaking UIT group. "But I don't speak Dutch. So I think I'll just join Lotus' group," she says. "We haven't been in Utrecht that long." Lynn and Lotus mainly hope to get to know the city better and meet new people. Lotus: "I also hope to party a bit."

Heat
It is a scorching hot day, with a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, according to Weeronline. For this reason, the organisers set their heat plan in motion, explains Lotte van Buuren, a member of UIT's board and a spokesperson for the event.

Bottles of water will be handed out to the students, who will also be able to apply sunscreen at designated spots. They can also sit in the shade in one of the stretch tents. Furthermore, Van Buuren advises students to use the city's free water fountains. 

The rest of the week will be just as hot as today, although rain is expected on Wednesday and thunderstorms are forecasted on Thursday. A poncho is no luxury, therefore.

Discover the world
UIT promises to be filled with parties and activities to get to know the city. You can read about the programme here. The event will happen at Park Lepelenburg, Olympos' sports field, the University College Utrecht (UCU) campus, the building of the University of Applied Sciences at Padualaan 101, the Helling, Domplein, and Park Transwijk.

According to Van Buuren, the UIT board is “really looking forward to it. It will be a super cool week.” She also hopes to convey to participants that being a student “is about more than just attending classes. It is a time to discover yourself and the world, make new friends and investigate how you can develop yourself."

This year, UIT is almost sold out. A total of 4,000 tickets were available. The vast majority of participants – approximately 70 percent – ​​will study at UU. According to Van Buuren, dozens of students from the MBO level have registered this year as well. In the two previous events, their participation was part of a test. Now, their participation has been made official.