Finally

I've been meaning to write this blog for weeks, but somehow there's just been way too much going on! And, I have to be honest, there's no better reason not to post! But for now, I'll ignore my to-do list of texts I still have to read for uni and give you a Rotterdam-first-week report!

Week 1

I'll tell you week by week, otherwise I'll get very confused. I left Berlin on 20 August, said a quick goodbye to my dad (Mum wasn't there) and set off for the main station with my very, very heavy suitcase. When I walked down our path, I really had to swallow a little. It was a very different feeling from London, it felt much more final and unexciting. I probably knew subconsciously that one way or another everything would be okay.

And even though it was hardly possible, I left even more unplanned than before London. I hadn't made a list, researched anything, and honestly had no idea at all what to expect. Perfect.

After an amazingly smooth train ride (what was going on DB?) I moved straight into my sublet room in Overschie (North-West Rotterdam). Unfortunately, the location is not ideal, but my landlady wrote me a super sweet card and gave me a water bottle! I was directly asked if I was a Dutchie, the water bottles are very iconic here.

On Sunday, the new life started right away, because the opening week starts one day earlier for international students. I met a few people, had a look around the campus, and was very grateful that I had already got my Swapfiets bike on Saturday.

On Monday, things really got going, the "Eurekaweek" opened at Ahoy, where the Eurovision Songcontest also takes place. This was definitely a completely different dimension than the Leuphana Opening Week. Opening speech, anthems, clubs, lots of profs and students were on the programme. The three moderates were wearing colour-coordinated pastel suits, which was pretty cute.

And as fate would have it, from the very beginning (we were divided into groups) I sat next to great people. We chatted a bit and by the end of the day we were almost doing our own thing. Emma (Dutchie, has lived in Rotterdam for a while) showed us her favourite restaurants and what to do in Rotterdam. It was so nice to have a local who had a bit of a plan right at the beginning.

On the second day, there was a Cantus at Ahoy in the evening. My goodness, it was very wild. And if there's one thing alcohol can do, it's bring people together. There was singing, laughing and a lot of dancing. Wednesday was correspondingly slow, because we are no longer first-year students who party every day and go through the nights with endless energy. Thursday was the end of the fun, the university organised a festival at the harbour, which was really cool. Despite the rain, we partied again.

The People

I think it's easiest if I briefly mention all the names so that you can get a general idea. I actually met all of my friends during Eurekaweek, and in the meantime I've also met one or two from my degree programme. And I have to be honest, I almost don't have the capacity to meet any more people. Because then you're only doing half of everything and can't get to know the individual people any better, so I'm really enjoying chilling with the same people every day.

Emma, Jitske, Fleur and Christiaan are the four Dutchies in the group. Very handy, and also very funny, because apparently our attempts to speak Dutch are extremely amusing. Emma, Fleur, Greta and Silvi are also studying the same thing at the EUR, while Jitske and I are doing Urban Governance together and Christiaan is in the Pre-Master's programme.

Fleur and Jitske have also just moved to Rotterdam, Chris and Emma have lived here for a while. Greta is also from Germany and Silvi from Switzerland. I see Greta and Jitske every day since I arrived here.

With all of them it's just good vibes, and it definitely doesn't feel like we met three weeks ago. Fascinating how quickly you can take people to your heart when it clicks.

I think the troupe is also the reason why I feel so comfortable here. I haven't had any major bouts of homesickness yet, more excitement and impatience because I like spending time with everyone.

Week 2

After Eurekaweek, we had another week off before the academic year started. I went to the cinema with the girls, cycled to the beach with Greta (it was such a beautiful day, very impressive how well the cycle paths are built here), we spontaneously went to bars in the evening and ended the week with a boat party. We met new people right away and the atmosphere was mega exuberant. There was so much going on that I was actually only at home to sleep and shower.

It's definitely a test for my body right now, because riding a bike at least 20 kilometres a day after a 5-month break from sports is a bit of a challenge. But I love finally having a structure and a purpose again.

Week 3

I just had to check my calendar to see what else was going on. Brain capacity is very limited and busy at the moment.

University finally started on Monday and I was actually very keen to have courses again! It's amazing what a difference a good university and an interesting course can make. The first session was super good too, I think I'll do another separate blog for that!

The week also saw the start of the sports programme, with Greta, Chris and I going to boxing practice. It was so intense, I didn't know my body could sweat so much. Tuesday was badminton tryouts and my goodness, I really missed it! Otherwise, there was yoga on the programme, which was also very good. The sports programme here is really huge, there are classes every day.

The weather was also just great, so Greta, Chris, Jitske and I went to the beach on Friday. There is a metro that goes from Rotterdam directly to the coast. It couldn't be better. We sizzled in the sun, let the sea water slosh over our heads and played quartet. A day off after a turbulent week. After the sea, we went to the lake in Kralingen, a district of Rotterdam. We ended up on Jitskes' balcony and the night was one of the most fun I've had in a long time.

Saturday Emma celebrated her birthday, where we also met her friends (who are all super lovely). Then on Sunday, when I had a day where all I had to do was uni stuff and cleaning, it was almost weird not seeing the people and not being out and about.

Just good

I really had no expectations before I moved here. Yes, I wanted to get out (as always), but at the same time it's also tiring to build a new life every year. But I never thought it would be so good. I'm on campus every day, studying with my friends, going to sports and parties. It's the hustle I never really had in Lüneburg. I love it.

So, stay tuned for the next updates!