Greek pre-master’s student Isidoros Kotinis and Romanian bachelor’s student Tudor Popescu are part of the team, under supervision of diversity officer Lara Hofstra and community manager Erik de Jong, responsible for coming up with a varied program for this edition of Connect with my Culture. On Wednesday March 1, between 16:00 and 20:00 hrs., visitors to the Auditorium will be immersed in a holiday atmosphere, Kotinis says. “We will hand out passports to visitors, in which they can collect stamps during the activities we offer.”

The large variety of activities include food stands in the Auditorium, where visitors can literarily get a taste of the many cultures present. “Some forty nationalities take part in this activity,” bachelor’s student Popescu says. “Everyone has 250 euros to set up their stand and purchase ingredients with. But there will also be two areas in the Auditorium where people can take part in workshops, such as paintings lessons. Those who would like to add something to the program can still sign up. That includes people who would like to perform on the central stage, or who would like to set up a food stand.”

Catching up

Kotinis and Popescu say that it’s about time that this event returns. Kotinis: “The connection between Dutch and international students, and between the various nationalities within the latter group, still isn’t as strong as it used to be before Covid hit. Internationals who started their studies at TU/e during the pandemic didn’t have it easy. They sometimes still don’t know what TU/e has to offer and how much fun it can be. This event will allow them to catch up in four hours.”

Because apart from food stands and workshops, there’s also information to be gained about the various student associations at TU/e. They won’t all be present with their own stands, but they will be represented by their umbrella organizations – such as Scala (culture), Compositum (social associations), ESSF (sports), FISO (identity), FSE (study associations) and Career Academy. The student teams will also present themselves, and no doubt try to win some souls for their projects.

Kotinis and Popescu hope that the atmosphere in the Auditorium on March 1 will make “everyone, both the Dutch and the international students, truly feel like one community at this university,” Kotinis says. Popescu: “We too had a hard time settling in when we first came here, but things have definitely changed. There’s an increasing number of mixed student houses in Eindhoven, and internationals make up a much larger percentage of the boards of various associations and participatory bodies than before. That is why we strongly urge Dutch students and staff members to stop by on March 1. Because what matters to us is that we bring about that connection.”