Tropical start to 55th edition of EL CID
Armed with sunglasses, a thick layer of sunscreen and several bottles of water, over 3,300 students have arrived in Leiden for their introduction week. The start of the 55th EL CID happened to be on the hottest day of the year.
The new Leiden University and University of Applied Sciences Leiden students gathered at Lammermarkt to join the other students from their programme. The mentors of each group had the job of breaking the ice.
With their yellow sunglasses and boundless enthusiasm, mentors Micha and Federico immediately spread friendly, laid-back vibes. The two know each other from their EL CID and have been friends ever since. What makes EL CID such fun? ‘The bonds forged within a week. You are together almost 24/7 and get to know loads of new people’, says Micha. ‘We’re really open’, Federico adds. ‘And we hope that helps.’
The two have activated their own heatwave protocol. ‘We’re going swimming’, they say in unison. ‘And we are going to make sure everyone drinks enough water and wears plenty of sunscreen.’
Hot weather measures
With the first day of EL CID a sweltering 32 degrees, the organisers had taken measures to keep everyone safe. They arranged for free water at all the EL CID locations in town and had already reminded the participants and volunteers to bring their own water too. They also provided extra sunscreen.
Ishika from The Hague is really looking forward to her Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme. ‘I’ve always wanted to go into the medical world but didn’t really want to study medicine. I want to invent something or develop new drugs. That would really be my thing. And I love being in a lab.’ She has no expectations of EL CID. ‘I’ll just go with the flow and hope to make some new friends.’
Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences seems to be a popular choice because this is what Bob from Voorschoten is going to study too. ‘I find biology and chemistry really interesting and you are doing good in the world: developing drugs.’ He has not spoken to many people from his group yet, but everyone seems ‘friendly’. He likes Leiden but will carry on living at home for the time being. ‘I live so close that it doesn’t really make much difference for me.’
Secondary vocational students welcome
This is the second year running that EL CID is also open to senior secondary vocational students from mboRijnland and the Leiden Instrument Makers School. There is a special programme for them on Thursday.
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New students gather at Lammermarkt -
Decorated signs help students find their group -
Busy bees definitely applies to this member of the next EL CID -
Hester Bijl wishes everyone a great EL CID -
Things are a bit awkward at first -
Going by the happy faces, this promises to be a successful EL CID
Leiden University’s 450th anniversary
‘Countdown to Leiden’ is the theme of this the 55th EL CID and is also a nod to Leiden University’s 450th anniversary in 2025. Rector Magnificus Hester Bijl urged the new students to join in the anniversary celebrations this coming year. She also had a more serious message, ‘You will face various challenges during your studies. Don’t forget that you can always ask for help.’
This is the first time that introduction week has had a quieter programme for students who don’t want to party. There is candlelight yoga and a film night, for instance.
Dasha from Rotterdam will devote the next few years to Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. ‘I’m interested in people and why different cultures form.’ She is particularly interested in the media and politics specialisation. As well as partying this week, she has a mission: choosing a student association. ‘Njord or Augustinus: I’d really like to join one of the two.’
Join LUF
On the first EL CID day the freshers were also introduced to the Leiden University Fund (LUF) in the Oude UB garden. ‘For us, EL CID is the opportunity to build a warm relationship with the new cohort of students’, said Lilian Visscher, Director of Alumni Relations and LUF. This fund’s donations aim to foster innovative research and a vibrant student life.
For five euros per year, students can join LUF and that money goes directly to a student association of their choice. Membership also provides a variety of benefits such as discounts on sports and cultural activities in Leiden and The Hague.
Text: Tim Senden
Photos: Rob Dorresteijn
EL CID continues until 16 August, culminating in The Final Countdown, the closing party on Friday. It will be followed, from 19 to 23 August, by HOPweek for students in The Hague and, for international students, Orientation Week Leiden (OWL) from 26 to 30 August.