Update from the Administration
An update from the Team Leader Administration of the BA International Studies, Ariënne de Bruijn
On Friday March 13th, we (The International Studies Administration Team) had a few huge suitcases prepared for the midterm week in our favourite venue the Opera. This is how a ‘normal’ exam week usually goes: we enter the office around 8.00 a.m., get some coffee, double check if the suitcases contain all the correct exams and attendance lists, wait for the tutors to arrive, drag the huge suitcases downstairs where a taxi should be waiting and make sure everyone gets to the venue on time.
Every time we enter the Opera we feel slightly nervous, as if we have to take exams ourselves. We know we are in the right place when we see some glitter curtains and slowly rotating disco balls. As you all know, Friday March 13th turned out to be a completely different day than we expected. All on-site exams for the Midterm week were cancelled, and our heavy suitcases remained untouched in our office. The entire team, just like all our other colleagues, started to work from home and follow the new guidelines.
Now, after working from home for eight months, I can say there are advantages and disadvantages. At first I wanted to write a letter, stating: Dear Virus, I’m really upset with you. I know you’re really busy and you have to travel all over the world, but I just wanted to say that we all really want to go back to normal and open the Student Information Desk and have coffee together and ….
However, my cat is delighted that his personal assistant is always around, feeding him whenever he wants. Everyone has adapted quickly to this unique situation, and we are still able to help students who contact us with their requests. Also, I’m really proud that – despite the new rules and regulations - we have been able to organize such a beautiful Graduation Ceremony in August, making sure that it was a positive experience for everyone, including those students who could not attend.
The suitcases will remain where they are, for now. However, I am certain that we will use them again. Maybe even for a short holiday, who knows.
Ariënne de Bruijn
Team Leader Administration BA International Studies