Annual Introduction Days in Wageningen: A Student’s Experience
By Devi Muralee Krishna
The Annual Introduction Days (AID) begun last Friday, 15 august in Wageningen, bringing the city to life in a new level. Curious about what’s been going on and what AID is all about? Let me take you through it!
What is AID?
When I first arrived in Wageningen, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everyone was talking about AID and how it was the best way to start your student life here. Looking back, those days gave me my first real sense of belonging in Wageningen. It’s a six-day event full of activities, designed to help new Bachelor’s, Master’s, and exchange students settle in, make friends, and discover Wageningen. Every participant is placed into a small group with student mentors who guide them through the week.
During my own AID, I was put into a group of international students. That experience opened my eyes to the diversity in Wageningen. I got to know people from all over the world, and those early connections helped me feel at home right away.
Why was AID Fun and Worth Attending for Me?
So why is AID worth attending? We asked Devi for her opinion:
For me, AID really felt like a community kick-off. In just six days, I met people who quickly became my first real friends in Wageningen. We shared dinners, biked around town together, and spent hours laughing during different activities. That bond gave me a sense of belonging right from the start.
What I loved most was how fun and diverse the program was. There were city games, sports try-outs, and cultural activities that kept each day exciting. It wasn’t just about getting information, but actively experiencing the city and the campus in a playful way with my group.
I also discovered how many student associations Wageningen has to offer. During AID, I got to see everything from sports and cultural associations to study groups and sustainability initiatives. It really showed me how many opportunities there are to get involved, no matter what your interests are. One of the student organisations that I found fascinating to join and am now part of is UNICEF Wageningen
Another highlight for me was experiencing the Wageningen vibe itself. Concerts, open-air events, pub quizzes, and of course, the legendary final party created such a warm, international, and welcoming atmosphere. It was the moment I realised how special and diverse this student community is.
At the same time, AID made the transition to university life much smoother. I learned simple but important things, like how to find my way around campus, where to shop, and how to get practical help when I needed it. Those little details made starting my studies feel far less overwhelming.”
AID 2025
This year, AID is taking place from the 15th to the 20th of August. More than two thousand students from Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes have arrived in Wageningen from different countries. How exciting!
The AID 2025 agenda is filled with activities that introduce students to Wageningen’s academic, social, and cultural life through a mix of study-related events, social gatherings, and celebrations. Students are joining campus games, study association, presentations, and mentoring sessions to get acquainted with their study programs and university life.
In the meantime, there were activities such as Wageningen Uncovered and Dinner on the Dike XL showed the city and its traditions. Cultural highlights like “Around the WURld” invite participants to experience performances, dance, and calligraphy, and evenings include entertainment such as street theatre and an open-air movie night. The AID week concludes with the AID Festival. It’s a lively finale featuring multiple music stages, a silent disco, and food stands, making it both a practical orientation and a festive celebration of student life.
Highlights So Far
Today is the last day of our festive AID and, besides the snippets you can see on our socials, we have gathered some highlights for you. On the first day, the evening activity was a pub quiz. All AID participants gathered in one area and formed teams. It was very entertaining and interactive at the same time. The next day, there was a dinner on the Dike. It was very impressive to see a huge line of tables with food where people ate and got to know each other.
Throughout the AID, a lot of groups did team building activities. They played games and ice-breaking activities in the city and on the campus. New students also participated in sports activities during the info markets. On Monday, there was a sing-along. It was very nice to see people singing all together—like a big family.
These are just a few highlights from AID. At the moment, everyone is enjoying their week, having fun and meeting new people. The campus is full of life, enthusiasm, and excitement. If you want to hear more about AID, we’ll have another blog coming up this week. Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Samir and Devi
