The benefits entailed in a membership at a student association
In 2016, student associations were repeatedly mentioned negatively in the news. In particular, the reputation of G.S.C. Vindicat, full the Groninger Studenten Corps Vindicat atque Polit, was harmed. At the beginning of the current academic year a news item was published about the so-called ‘banga list’. Due to these kinds of messages student associations have been given a bad image. But what exactly are the benefits of membership? Through this blog I would like to tell you something about the student life and all the benefits that it entails.
Student associations in a bad light
A news-site in Groningen, called Sikkom, received an anonymous message containing a strange file with concerning content about 22 female members of G.S.C. Vindicat. The file, intended to spread among the male members of the association, consisted of photographs, phone numbers and student houses of the female members. All the girls were given a ranking from one to four stars. The list, which resembled a notorious ‘banga list’ was spread by strangers on the Internet.
The University of Groningen (RUG), Hanze University Groningen and student association Vindicat wrote in a message on their website that they distance themselves from the recent events at the student union. Internal measures were taken and the creators of the list were suspended.
However, it did not stop there. There was a lot of commotion in media and the student associations had their compatriots angered. Heated discussions on the Internet, on television and within the student life itself followed. In less than a month a second incident took place at Vindicat which was not very fortunate for them. An apprentice member of G.S.C. Vindicat had been addressed so roughly during the hazing that he was hospitalized with head injuries. There are similar reports about hazing in Amsterdam, by the Amsterdamsch Studenten Corps (ASC).
Source: https://www.powned.tv/media/1180/teranbulan_gr.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&quality=80&width=1024&height=576&rnd=131068450440000000
Much incomprehension
The Dutch population turned against student life and many people did not understand why one would want to be a member of a student association. Many people got a negative image of the associations. Hazing was not / is not humane. Why would you want to throw your life away with a membership? In popular view, there are only disadvantages.
I understand their thoughts. Negative news spreads quickly and a negative image or negative reputation is the result. I don’t agree at all with what happened during the hazing, but there certainly is another side to the story. The image the media creates of the student life is negative and the positive side of this life is not named in the articles.
Source: http://www.hpdetijd.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ANP-22966787.jpg
My experience with student life
I am going to take you on a journey through my experiences as a student. Through this blog, I would like to point out all the benefits that are entailed in a membership. The student life consists of more than drinking beer in the clubhouse in the hours that you don’t study. Not everything is about the hazing and tasks for freshman students. You learn a lot within the four walls of a clubhouse. You make new social contacts with whom you will enjoy the rest of your life and norms and values are important. The benefits of student life and student associations should be mentioned more.
When I was 17 years old, I made the first contact with student life. While I was doing intermediate vocational education, my friends from high school started their studies at colleges or universities. Because of this I was regularly found in the infamous student cities of the Netherlands. I went to parties, took my first steps in student houses and became acquainted with all the odd manners of student culture. I thought it was all really weird, but I think this was mainly because I was not part of it at that time. I liked to have a beer with them or to go to a party in the clubhouse, but to be a member of an association? No, that was not for me. No way.
Source: https://images.nrc.nl/OIxhq1Tr3W36msU6-DaujMpBtjc=/1280x/s3/static.nrc.nl/spoetnik/files/2014/07/minerva.jpg
Exploring the student life during the orientation week
Eventually, a few years later, I went to study in Leiden. I was really looking forward to start at the University of Applied Science and was actually truly curious about student life. I assumed that it was not for me. But when the summer approached I became more curious. Leiden, a real student city. Should I be a member of a student association? What are the activities for students in Leiden anyway? And are the associations also approachable for students from the University of Applied Science? There was only one way to find out. I had to experience the orientation week for new students in Leiden, the EL CID. A week in which you get to know the city and the college or university but where you also become acquainted with student life and all the associations that Leiden has to offer. As I travelled to Leiden, my only thoughts were that students were strange. And how did they all manage to study and be a member of a student association? I was dying to find out.
I've had a great week and I fell in love with the city and student life. How could people not love this life? Such nice people, amazing parties and activities for all kinds of people with different personalities. Students associations, sports clubs and even a club where they play board games.
I didn’t become a member of a student association that week. At that moment I thought I couldn’t combine a busy membership with my study. However, I have signed up to be a member of a student orchestra called S.M.G. Sempre Crescendo, the oldest subdivision of L.S.V. Minerva, full the Leidse Studenten Vereniging 'Minerva'. An orchestra where the members rehearse with a beer next to their music stand and the weekly get-togethers last until the early morning hours. There are unwritten rules, the so-called ‘mores’. You quickly manage to remember those during your membership. At the beginning, I thought all the rules were quite crazy, but as we speak I am completely entangled in the strange subculture.
I still enjoy the rehearsals every week with great pleasure, also the subsequent get-together. I’m even often found at the clubhouse on other days during the week as well and I’ve joined several committees. I have also lived in a student house, with roommates who are members at the other major student associations of Leiden, which makes me visit the other student associations regularly. There are a lot of things outsiders don’t know about the student life and that’s why I also think that the positive side of a membership needs to be highlighted.
The wrong impression
Not only the previously mentioned news reports have drawn a false picture of what happens in the lives of students. Also in the television series ‘Feuten’ is greatly exaggerated. Many students were not pleased with the production of the series produced by the youth broadcasting BNN. The scene from the film ‘Soldaat van Oranje’ is also cited during a discussion.
All very entertaining, but the 'regular Dutchman' now thinks we're a bunch of disordered people without decency and respect for each other during hazing and other activities with freshman students. We students are more than that. The positive side of student life should be highlighted more and this blog will hopefully give more information about what is really going on in the life of an active member of a student association and what benefits the membership entails.
Source: http://www.flameshots.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Feuten-2_Martijn-Lakemeijer.jpg
The benefits of a membership at a student association
Being a member of a student association involves more than living in a student house, drinking lots and lots of beers and wearing a nice suit or dress during daily activities. There are many benefits to mention.
First of all, it’s much fun to join an association. You should be able to relax when you’re not studying and the associations provide that opportunity. Convivial evenings at the club, many activities and trips in which you can participate and there are almost always events to go to. Your social life unfolds in full speed!
You get to know new people very quickly and your network will be expanded significantly in a short time. Increasing your network can be very beneficial for the rest of your life - and it also brings you lifelong friendships. Especially if you are new to a city, it is not only nice to make friends quickly or even find a room with the help of your connections but also after finishing your study a large network is convenient. For example in finding a job.
During a job interview, your membership can also work to your advantage. More and more companies are looking at how much experience you have gained during your studies with extracurricular activities instead of only looking at your study program. The fact that you can combine your study with a membership and extracurricular activities says a lot about your personality and motivation. According to research by TNS NIPO on behalf of the Volkskrant, over two thirds of the most influential people in the Netherlands have been members of a student association.
Secondly, you can develop tremendously. You can join committees within the association and, for example, organize parties, manage the bar, write for the almanac or even provide some more politically oriented activities. If you are really ambitious, then perhaps a place within the board could be something for you. You can develop skills that you would not normally think of, you expand knowledge and gain new experiences which helps you to unfold and enriches your career.
Several studies show that members of student associations or students who have lived in student houses often achieve better academic results than non-members. The people around them will always stimulate them to study properly. The students study together, they encourage each others and good results will be rewarded at the student associations, for example by offering you to join committees.
It is also remarkable that many associations engage in a collaboration with the municipality. For instance, A.L.S.V. Quintus from Leiden organizes an annual event called ‘The Museum Night’ and is engaged in developing a plan to solve the bicycle and litter problem which the city is facing at the moment. There is regular consultation between associations and municipalities in all major student cities and this brings advantages to both parties.
What is also important to point out, is that not all members are preppy and typical frats. There are lots of student associations in the Netherlands, in all kinds of forms, which you can join. In Leiden alone there are more than 20 different associations. Take a look at the associations which you are interested in and don’t be afraid of hazing or tough first year. Remember that you are not alone. Lots of new students are all sitting in the same boat. Hold on a bit longer. It's all worth it. The benefits are for the rest of your life. All benefits I’ve just mentioned. Keep that in mind.
Basically, when you join a student association, your student life will be an experience you will never forget, accompanied with a lot of benefits in the future.
Your college years are the best time of your life. It is therefore important that you fully enjoy it. Be aware of all the parodies that have been made about the student life and just laugh at it. When you’re a member of a student association, you know better. It is quite okay to laugh, which I would certainly recommend. Therefore, I will conclude this blog with two humorous videos about the student life, played by the men of Jiskefet, a humoristic and foolish television series from The Netherlands.
I hope the image of student associations is more positive thanks to this short blog and that the benefits which a membership entails now are clear. I’m a proud member and I have the most amazing time living in my student house. I wouldn't miss this for all the gold in the world!