The 20€ Lesson

Last week was our school's integration weekend. The concept is that there are groups that organise a weekend for the newcomers to the school. The idea is to have a day of activities and then follow up with a party. This year we were taken to an aquapark, and then in the evening there was a nightclub with a reserved room for us.

To be clear, I am a fourth year and I am not part of the direct organising team, but I decided to tag along since I am the treasurer and they offered me to join for a reduced price, since I am not a newcomer. This meant that I got a full day of activities, food and drinks for 20€. Quite a deal, I would argue.

The previous years, it was a completely different approach since the school's administration was less strict about it. This year, there were problem after problem. The administration rejected every proposal. Finally, they agreed on a location and on the events a week before the event.

Yet the problems did not end there. Two days before the event, the aquapark cancelled on us. Within 48 hours, they had to find an alternative, and they did. Another aquapark, which was accepted on very short notice. Rather impressive.

When the day came, everything went smoothly, well, for the most part. There were some hiccups here and there, but that is part of organising activities for 150 people. For example, upon getting to the aquapark, there had been a miscommunication about the kind of swimming shorts that could be used. So they had to borrow and buy about 50 extra swimming shorts for students.

Despite all the chaos behind the scenes, watching 150 students having fun reminded me that the associative life is what makes this school special. The organising of associative life is brilliant, but it is also great to attend weekly events for all different kinds of interests.

They are a perfect place to connect with others and create lasting memories, since it is outside of school, yet with the same people. It creates a pleasant environment which simply cannot be achieved with formal events. This environment promotes speaking to each other through activities, and the informal space means that people have fewer barriers up.

This Week's Suggestions:

🎶 "P&P 1.5" by Kendrick Lamar featuring Ab-Soul:

I have been in a dry season with music recently. Nothing really sparks anything in me. This track was sent to me by a close friend, and it hits just right. Some good Kendrick is always nice.

That's all for today!