Student sports quiz | The Student Sports Centre is closed and group training indoors is not an option anyway. National student championships are missed as well. Unfortunate for sure, but there is solace: the student sports quiz. On Wednesday evening, May 27th, Studentensport Nederland together with Sportraad Utrecht and Utrecht-based volleyball association Van Slag organizes a national online quiz in which sports and student sports are the main topics. You can follow it live on YouTube from 20:00. Participating is free and your team can be five people max. The quiz is also open to non-students. Are you going to participate?

Team IGNITE | Maybe you still remember them from their light artwork Hypar on the Markt in Eindhoven during GLOW 2019. Currently they are trying to form a new team and for that reason they are organizing a digital brainstorm on May 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Would you like to participate in the brainstorm or maybe even become a member of Team IGNITE? Contact them via Instagram or Facebook.

TU/e SkillsLab | Are you familiar with the TU/e SkillsLab? It offers you help to develop the right skills for your dream job. You can work on your goals through e-courses, personal coaching and workshops. For example, there is a choice of ‘presenting’ and ‘academic writing’, but you can also get help to prepare for a future job interview. All workshops are free for TU/e students and can now be followed online. So don't think ‘oh I'll fix that later, I have years ahead of me’. Unfortunately, developing skills does not happen overnight. So, are you up to follow a workshop? You can register online.

Harry Potter lecture | Harry Potter and the Magic of Imagination is the title of the popular Studium Generale lecture. When it was announced before the corona crisis, a lot of interest soon showed on Facebook. On May 13th at 8:00 PM, Hetty Zock, a professor of Psychology of Religion will analyze the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter universe, because good novels don't help us escape the world, but they help us live in it. The lecture will be broadcast online, which of course has the advantage that more interested people can join in digitally. The online platform will be announced as soon as possible, so keep an eye on the Facebook event or the Studium Generale website.

Keukenhof opens virtually | Keukenhof virtually opens its doors this year. The flower park in the province of South-Holland attracts more than a million visitors from all over the world every year. During the corona crisis that’s not possible of course but the flowers blossom anyway. So it would be a shame not to show all that beauty to the world. Go and visit online for free.

Anne Frank's video diary | How about Anne Frank's diary in fifteen online episodes? It is available on the YouTube channel of the Anne Frank House. A nice initiative for Rememberance Day (May 4th) and Liberation Day (May 5th) now that we cannot participate in any ceremonies collectively. In the online series, Anne Frank, played by Luna Cruz Perez, shares her life in the Secret Annex, as well as her thoughts and feelings. All characters, locations and happenings in the online series are based on the original diary.

King’s day is on(line) | Normally the Dutch go out on the 27^th of April to celebrate the King’s birthday with parties, markets and activities everywhere. This year we obviously can’t. But what we can do is celebrate in our own house, room or garden. And sharing what we are doing with others, online. Bake something sweet, wear a crazy orange outfit, sing a song; you choose. Sign up at ‘Koningsdag Thuis’ (King’s day from home) with your event, choose a good cause as you’ll get a link for people to donate and go live on the 27^th of April. Easy as that and safe, from your own home.

Coffee with InMotion | Team InMotion organizes online coffee talks to chat informally during times when it is more difficult to gather physically. Those coffee moments are organized through MS Teams and everyone can book one. “We are physically further apart during this quarantine, but that does not mean that it cannot be ‘gezellig’,” says InMotion’s marketing manager Laura Kemper. You can sign up online for a chat with one or more of the team members.

Online Check Your Match Event | Are you a freshman bachelor student at TU/e and still in doubt about the electives you want to take the coming years? Join the online Check Your Match Event on April 29^th between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Information about the electives will be available via Canvas prior to the event. During the event you can ask the representatives of specific electives questions via an MS Teams session. Interested? Register here.

Nutrition tips | From 8.00 PM on Wednesday April 22nd, you will find the first of a series of podcasts about nutrition on the YouTube channel of the Student Sports Centre (SSC). Yvonne de Kinkelder, nutrition coach at the SSC, offers sports card holders the opportunity to chat with her and ask questions about nutrition during the first podcast. After the podcast there will also be an opportunity for the sports card holders to suggest topics on the community page. The series will later also discuss how you can adjust your diet to these circumstances, how you now deal with snacking and there will be an episode focused on a vegetarian diet.

Office noise simulator | Do you already miss the typical office noises? Would you like to exchange your living room sounds for some printer sounds and chatting colleagues? This microsite with office noise comes to the rescue. You can turn it on in the background and even adjust the number of colleagues. Wouldn’t we all wish we could that in real life sometimes?

Free online first aid course | Now that it feels like the world has stopped turning for a bit, we are looking for other ways to spend our (free) time. The Red Cross is responded to this in a useful way by offering a free online first aid course. The goal is to get as many people as possible to participate and to spread this knowledge widely. With this course you can learn from your laptop or tablet how to provide first aid in common situations. Good to know: after completing, you will receive a digital certificate of participation, which is not the same as a first aid certificate that you receive when you have completed a regular course. For now, the course is only available in Dutch.

IDFA movies for free | Finished Netflix? Or you’d like to watch something else? The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is online and offers a large part of the collection for free! With a range of more than 300 titles from various countries to choose from, you’ll be off the street for a while. Many films and documentaries are short (and you can even select them by length), so also a perfect snack in between studying. Our tips? Askoo and Cucli.

Podcast series Researching in Times of COVID-19 | In this new podcast series ‘Researching in Times of COVID-19’, TU/e science communication employee Barry Fitzgerald speaks with various TU/e researchers about the effects of COVID-19 on research and education. The first episode will be online from today, April 16th and the remaining episodes will be released on Friday, April 17th, Monday, April 20th and Tuesday, April 21st. You can find the podcasts on Castos, Spotify and iTunes.

Online Fit Break together with your colleagues | Now that we all work from home and some people may exercise less than they normally would, the Student Sports Centre (SSC) is busy creating a fun online program for everyone. One of the possibilities is to take part in the Fit Break. You will do some easy stretching exercises live with an instructor from the SSC. A pleasant and fun break while working from home, to keep the team feeling alive. Curious what it’s like? Watch the trailer online. You can schedule this Fit Break yourself by sending an email to Melissa Grunewald.

Home deco | How have you designed and decorated your workplace at home? Euflex Technificent is curious to find out - and might just pick you as their lucky winner who gets to pick up 'a nice gift' at their office (after the corona period). Check their Instagram and Facebook posts for details.

Music for self isolation | They're everywhere: playlists to get you through these times of self isolation. We'd like to point out two great playlists on Spotify: Music for Self-Isolation and TU/e’s most requested. The last list consists of request songs that were on radio.tue.nl. 

Corona-portal for expats | This portal provides expats with up to date info on corona. It also features tips for a social digital life.

See the world without leaving your home | Airlines around the world have grounded their flights. Countries have shut their borders, and ordered everyone indoors. The age of coronavirus has restricted our movement in every way, but it doesn't have to restrict our imagination. BBC provides you with ten 10 ways you can still see the world - all through the wonder of the webcam.

Social distancing festival | This is a site for celebrating art from all over the world, showcasing amazing talent, and coming together as a community at a time when we need it more than ever.

Podcast featuring cybersecurity-expert Ronald Prins | Will we all have a covid-app on our smartphones? And is Zoom secure, or isn't it? In this podcast, cybersecurity expoert Ronald Prins talks about these subjects, and much more. Mind you: it's in Dutch.

Staying sane | Missed out on the previous online mindfulness sessions offered by TINT? Do not panic, you can check them out on YouTube from now on. Also on offer is a new blog by TINT life coach Laura Curta, 'A guide to staying sane', with tips for both your mental and physical health in times of corona quarantine. Click!

Free online newspapers and magazines | Such a nice gesture: TU/e students and employees can use https://www.pressreader.com/ for free - for three months! On this platform you can find só many (Dutch and international) newspapers and magazines. TU/e has started a trial at Pressreader for three months. All you have to do, is make sure you're connected to TU/e via VPN or proxy server and surf to pressreader.com. And than: you can totally lose yourself in uncountable magazines and newspapers. That should keep you going in times of isolation. 

Fit@Home | Live sports sessions on YouTube! The Student Sports Centre will provide you with this new future as of from today. And no, that's NOT an April Fool's joke! Think yoga, core training, BBB, HIIT, stretching, fitbreaks, and all together through YouTube. It feels almost like a normal group session - peer pressure included ;-) You can find the timetable for the coming days on the right. More info is on SSC's website. Stay fit and healthy!
 

Student Pub Quiz | The Student Pub Quiz at grand cafe De Zwarte Doos is back - but online! On Thursday night April 2 Facebook is your place to be, so grab a beer and some snacks, and join. 

The quiz, that will start at 8.30 p.m., will be in English; non-students are also more than welcome to join. Before we start, don't forget to download and print the answer form here (you will need seven in total, for seven rounds of quizzing). 

Famelab | The FameLab TU/e Heat 2020 willl go digital and take place as an online event. During this heat on Thursday night April 2nd, eleven young TU/e researchers will present a three minute pitch about a research topic of their choice. The two Eindhoven winnerr will go on to represent TU/e at the national final of FameLab, which is due to take place on Wednesday 13 May in Utrecht (subject to the lockdown situation in the Netherlands). The winner of the Dutch FameLab competition will then go on to represent the Netherlands at the international final that is due to take place at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June 2020.

Click here for the names of the eleven TU/e researchers taking part and keep an eye on the same website for updates on the TU/e Heat.

#SpaceConnectsUs | Living in quarantine narrows down our world. It might be nice to experience how big our world still is. You can do so tonight by looking up into the sky at 8.39 PM sharp. When the sky is clear, you can see international space station ISS floating in space. 

Let the professionals inspire you how to survive quarantine. On Thursday March 26th Dutch astronaut André Kuipers shares his story on a livestream. He knows the drill when it comes to living in quarantine, since he lived in ISS for over 200 days. The livestream starts at 4 PM. Kuipers isn't the only astronaut to share his story; European Space Agency ESA has several astronauts lined up for the online event #SpaceConnectsUs. 

CANS exercises | Working from home isn't always the best idea for your body. Since we have no choice right now, TU/e's Occupational Health and Safety organization is helping us out with easy exercises. Be sure to listen to the signals your body is giving you, prevent complaints in arms, neck and shoulders (acronym CANS) as well as (lower) back problems. Get moving!
 

Daily Défi Dare | We are suckers for a good alliteration, so Défi had us at the title... ;-) Défi has started the Daily Défi Dares on their Instagram. Not just for their members, no it's open for everyone who could do with a creative break. They started slowly with an easy challenge: coloring a mandala. Fun fact: they don't want you to color in between the lines if you don't want to, since 'outside the box' is their motto.

Intermate games | Study association Intermate is also keeping its members sweet in the coming weeks with a palette of online activities. Discord is the place to be for, say, a game of Minecraft, for jointly solving the daily crossword in the NRC newspaper or simply having a bit of a chat. Also on the agenda in the weeks to come (for anyone still seeking inspiration their own association or student house): an evening of Scribble.io and Jackbox Games, a two-against-two League of Legends tournament, a pub quiz and a film night, with ‘Frozen 2’ on the movie program.
 

Beachready with Lucid | Have you been wandering the internet to get the perfect workout? Stop looking! Study association Lucid of Industrial Design has the workout for you, inspired by the 80s and yoga with puppies. The first episode of the LucidQuarantineWorkout is a beginners workout; next week Lucid will continue with a medium level workout. P.S. Share your workout on Instagram, tag @svidlucid and they'll be happy to repost your blood, sweat and tears in their feed.

HelloDoc free medical advice | International students may experience difficulties in finding a general practitioner or coming into contact with their general practice because of the waiting time caused by the corona virus. Expats and international students can make use of online help at https://hellodoc.nl/, for free! They can help find a general practitioner and give medical advice. If your GP or local health provider is not available to take your questions regarding coronavirus, register online and speak to one of our multi-lingual doctors.

Virtual museum tours | Google Arts provides free virtual tours in 500 musea from all over the globe. The Guggenheim in New York? Check! The Amsterdam Van Goghmuseum? Yes! The British Museum? Naturally! Just browse and let your mind wander. 

Watch The PhD Movies for free | We LOVE this gesture, made by Jorge Cham, creator of the PhD Comics. They don’t just produce the comics, but have also made two movies: the PhD Movies. And now they are free to watch for all of us via http://phdcomics.com/.

The films take a smart and humorous look at the world of Academia through the eyes of four grad students, and features real academics (including several MacArthur Geniuses and a Nobel Prize winner!) in many of the roles. So, are you in need of some distraction? Feeling stressed out and need a good laugh - and someone who understands how you feel? Grab that popcorn and enjoy the show.

Headspace | Not feeling in the mood for energetic exercise? Is what you need right now a calm mind? Then you might like to install the meditation app Headspace. The collection named 'Weathering the storm' offers plenty of sleep exercises and guided meditation for different moods in times of corona crisis.

Keep moving | The Physiotherapy team at Fontys Paramedical University of Applied Sciences is keen, with education and other work now largely organized remotely, to help everyone keep moving. This video offers an extensive collage of exercises that you can do in and around your home. Go get 'em, tigers!

Fusion Experience day | TU/e's Master programme on Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion is hosting an online information event for interested students on Thursday March 26th. The Fusion Experience Day is an online session. In this online session you will find out what our master's program in nuclear fusion is all about. The curriculum will be discussed, internships and graduation projects are touched upon, and you will get acquainted with lecturers and students. Here's the link for the Fusion Experience Day, which will be held in Zoom. Would you would like to learn more about our master's? Click!  

Cook with us | 'Cook, Chat and Connect' is a new online activity offered by TINT that aims to bring some good vibes to rooms where a little loneliness may have crept in. This is TINT's familiar Friday lunch - hosted by life coach and university chaplain Rachelle van Andel - but rejigged for the digital world. Every Friday from 12:15 to 13:15 hrs Rachelle and a guest share a new, easy recipe, and you can watch and join in the cooking via Zoom. On the menu for Friday March 20th we have the vegan burger with an Indian twist, plus a vegetarian rice dish courtesy of the show's first guest Hemant. Check out Facebook for the ingredients you'll need to find in your cupboards or pick up in advance. 
 

Movies at home | Sure, this activity is a little less social, but if you need to retreat now and again, try this: at the moment various platforms are opening the doors of their virtual movie theaters so that those of us cloistered at home can watch movies for free. Cinetree is one such platform and it is offering ‘hopeful movie titles’, like Life Animated, La vita è bella and C’est ça l’amour. Likewise, starting today the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is offering some three hundred documentaries that can be watched free online, click here.
 

GEWIScord | Study association GEWIS at Mathematics and Computer Science is currently without its home, its bar and its lovely roof terrace in MetaForum. To make the lack of a physical hangout a little more bearable, GEWIS has set up a digital replica in Discord, appropriately dubbed GEWIScord. Here, members can keep up with their board or committee work online, prop up the virtual bar (while pouring themselves a beer at home, of course) or play a game. Other digital activities are in the pipeline.

Discord drinks at Protagoras | Thursday is drinks day at TU/e! Since no live drinks are possible right now, study association Protagoras (Biomedical Engineering) is taking it online via Discord. Members can log in on InVivOnline for a 'quarantine beer'.

TGI Friday | Right now we are skyping like crazy just trying to stay abreast what our fellow students or colleagues are doing; the online team meetings are stacking up. The purely social aspect of having colleagues is something that often slips our mind. But here's a tip, picked up at the Communication Expertise Center: arrange a good old TGI Friday and raise a glass together, face-to-face on Skype, remotely.

PSV | Soccer fans must be having a tough time right now, what with so many matches currently suspended, including all First Division matches. To boost the morale of fans, PSV and its partners at Brainport Eindhoven have set up an online platform on which the club plans to share extra content in the coming period. 'To entertain, but also to inspire. #PSVwestandtogether, now more than ever.'

Podcast Radio 4 Brainport | International students talk on Radio 4 Brainport about what effect the coronacrisis has on them - in reaction to the earlier broadcasted interview with TU/e rector Frank Baaijens. You can listen to the podcast here.
 

Pitchers as a reward for good deeds | Students' hockey association Don Quishoot is calling upon its members to help out other people in these times of corona. And the reward for those good deeds: beer pitchers (naturally filled to the brim) - of course to be claimed when the crisis is over. They're asking their members to post a picture of the good deed on facebook or instagram and to tag Don Quishoot. We hope they can help a lot of people!

Kick-off TU/e Contest | Thursday 19th, the TU/e Contest Kick-off will take place! Due to the recent Corona developments the Kick-off will be a virtual event. The Kick-off will take place via a live stream on facebook and on TUeContest.nl. All teams and companies will present themselves by creating a short video. These videos will be placed on the website. Tune in and join the kick-off online.

Gaming | If there's one group that's already used to meeting likeminded souls online, it's the Eindhoven eSports association Zephyr. Interested gamers are warmly invited to join in via their channel on the gamers' platform Discord.

Chess | Are you a fan of mind games, but currently without opponents to pit yourself against? If so, this online TU/e chess community may interest you. The group is open to everyone.

Zumba | How can you avoid getting completely out of shape when your usual sports training is canceled? One thing you could do is join the online Zumba lessons run by Student Sports Centre instructor Jaya Vittal. Follow her on Instagram to stay abreast of her sporting online plans. To quote Jaya: 'Stop worrying and be an optimist!'.

Home concerts | 'We are homebound, but not without a sound'. Get to know the brand new Facebook channel Quarantine Concerts NL, where musicians from all over the world share their home performances with you - sometimes via a live stream. Let yourself be transported briefly to a concert hall or theater while seated in your recliner. 

Welcome! | Here on this page we aim to gather together all the online community initiatives being set up right now and currently running. If you have any additions or ideas, be sure to mail us; we aim to update this page regularly.