Jelle

What did you learn in Rotterdam?

"Not bullshit but polish. That mentality, that real Rotterdam spirit, I like that. No nattering, no bluff or blabla, just action. During my studies I did research at the Volunteer Shop Crooswijk and I liked it so much that I started volunteering myself. Now I join the wheelchair walk of a group of elderly people every month. Isn't it nice when you can help people get out of the house? That kind of thing is important to me, and then you just have to do it."

Where should you be?

"Where not? Rotterdam has so many nice places! There are lots of places to have a nice meal or a drink. I don't know all the nice pubs yet either. A friend and I recently made a wish list of all the bars and pubs we want to visit. Now we go through them one by one. For example, the other day we visited Rumah on the Binnenweg. We might have walked past it otherwise but because it was on the list we stepped in. And it was really worth it."

What should you really do (or not do) as a freshman?

"I would say walk out the door, get moving! You get to know Rotterdam best by walking around. Oh, and also important: stay yourself. As a freshman, I quite often felt pressure to take on a certain role. But if that role doesn't suit you, it won't make you happy. For example, I like to be crazy. Then you do impose something on yourself if you suddenly start acting very seriously as a student. So make your own plan, think for yourself and stay yourself. That's kind of relaxing."

What will you do?

"I'm going on vacation first and then you can find me at the Toasti Club near the Eendrachtsplein. I've been working there for years, very chill. And I'm going to do a master's, Digitalization in work and society. I'm really looking forward to that. So much is happening, in the field of AI for example, which we have to learn to deal with. Interesting subject I think."