Moving forward – What can we expect?

As normalcy returns slowly throughout the globe, we look to answer ‘What next?’.  While the answer to this is extremely subjective, this blog will hopefully give current and prospective students an outline of what WUR is planning.

All through the crisis, as students we received continuous updates and support from the university. Now as this academic year steadily comes close to an end, plans for organizing the next year are in full force.

End of academic year 2019-2020: 

Keeping the RIVM guidelines in mind, very limited practical sessions will be planned on campus for students. However, considering the situation of students who are away from the Netherlands, education for this period will also be available online completely.

AID 2020 – New academic year :

Starting a new year afresh is always exciting, especially if you just are beginning your degree. As a new student, what I really looked forward to were the Annual Introduction Days (AID)!!

This is a specially planned week for incoming freshers with tons of activities and parties for groups of students. While it usually a grand event, the current situation called for improvisation. That’s exactly what the board did! In order to continue with the AID but also keeping safety as a priority, instead of having a single week of AID, this year there will be TWO 😀

Splitting students in two groups and planning activities as spread out as possible to maintain the required distance, the current board is putting all resources in pulling this off successfully.

The activities this year will also be divided into “on campus” and “online events” Students who have registered for AID, will be informed of their batch as the event approaches. Even with the new approach, AID will without doubt be the best start to the new year 🙂

Check out the official website for continuous updates  https://www.aidwageningen.nl/en/articles/a-what-is-the-aid.html

Education: 

The university has planned to offer a combination of on-site and online education. This could include some practical classes on campus and lectures and tutorials online.

In the upcoming months, students will get a more clear cut idea of what their respective courses would look like next year. However, an open mindset would be an absolute must considering the ever-evolving situation of Covid-19.

Extracurricular activities:

Brimming with activities after study hours, the city and campus always remained lively before. With several cafes, the sports center and clubs organizing events on an everyday basis was common.

However, the structure of this can be expected to differ moving forward. Despite the changes, most organizations will look to organize activities online or face to face while maintaining the 1.5m distance.

The sports center has now started offering outdoor and online classes to ensure continuity in sports and activities.

The Bongerd’s official website (linked below) gives you more information on what you can attend. Do not forget to sign up beforehand though 🙂

https://sporthalreservering.mendixcloud.com/index.html

As a new student, I can imagine that the new method might seem difficult to adjust to. However, with all hands on board, you can expect to enjoy your university life to the maximum possible extent!!

In the case of questions you can always contact the Student Service Center (ssc@wur.nl) to get help.

Here’s to us adjusting to the “NEW” normal!! Good luck everyone 😀 Comment below for any other changes or obstacles you expect to come your way.