Untitled Document
Student Takeover Stratumseind
During the tenth annual European Week at TU/e, hundreds
of students literally took over the popular Eindhoven golden mile
for pubs, Stratumseind. The usually so unexciting Tuesday night
was transformed into a big European street party, with live acts
in the larger pubs and nightclubs. Groups of foreign students
and their TU/e guides prowled up and down Stratumseind looking
for action, which was abundantly available in the packed-out clubs
in the form of dancing and loud music. Despite the chilly evening,
there was even some dancing in the street.
Hungarian literature student Kataline
Máté has helped organise similar events at her university
in Pécs. "But this is the first time I've really participated.
I'm having a great time tonight," she said, on the way to
the next club. "In Eastern Europe the EU is on everybody's
mind. Today was the first lecture day, and there was some good
discussion. EU membership is closer for Hungary than for say Rumania.
I was sorry for Rumanian students, who don't think that's fair."
According to TU/e biomedical technology student Peter van den
Broek the majority of students visiting for the European Week
are from Eastern Europe. "I'd say about 80 per cent. Many
students come for the parties and a vacation, but on the other
hand they are also serious about the conference. They are interested
in our transfer to the Bachelor/Master's system and want to know
how it works. There were lively discussions in the workshops today,
we didn't have time to talk about all the subjects we planned
for. And on Monday some people were even complaining that they
hadn't learnt anything yet."
Big Brother
Ania Bedkowska and Marta Trzcionka are both first year students
of culture management at the university in Krakow, Poland. "Polish
student parties are different to this. In Krakow, cafés
are mainly in beautifully decorated mediaeval cellars, you don't
see this kind of street life. And university students don't want
to be seen in discos that play house music. Rock is more trendy
with us," says Ania. Her friend Marta picks up the thread:
"I like this street, though. I'm having a good time tonight."
In Poland, the Big Brother television series is currently causing
a great stir. According to Ania and Marta, many viewers are shocked.
"But Big Brother comes from Holland doesn't it? When I saw
all the uncurtained windows here I understood why. It seems as
if there is no border between your houses and the street, as if
people have nothing to hide. That's quite extraordinary. In Poland
we have about three layers of curtains to make sure nobody can
see into our houses," Ania observes. Marta continues: "We
are surprised by how open and friendly people are to us. Everyone
is so cheerful and they all speak English. Even the doormen at
the nightclubs are friendly and polite. In Poland they are usually
ugly, menacing types."
Tomas Vainorius from Klaipéda, Lithuania, expects to receive
his Bachelor's degree in ecology from Klaipédos Universiteto
this year. He is vice-president of his university student union.
"I wanted to find out how things are organised for students
here, and talk to the people who are members of the European student
organisations. I'm interested in the organisation of conferences.
So far, I haven't been able to find anyone who can tell me what
I want to know," he says. "On a more positive note,
I'm enjoying this conference and meeting people from many different
countries. It's good to see young people talking about EU issues,
particularly the financial ones."
Tomas was talking to Leonel Cunha, a psychology student from Braga,
Portugal, when we found him nursing a beer at a street table.
"He hasn't slept for days and is looking forward to seeing
his bed," Tomas grinned. "It's my own fault," said
Leonel. "I got to Amsterdam on Saturday night, and spent
the whole night walking around, just getting to know the place
a bit. I thought I could crash when I came to Eindhoven on Sunday.
But it took all day to find my room. There have been parties every
night since then, which I have all enjoyed immensely. I think
I'll probably get a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow I'll
definitely learn something."/.
