Focus Honours Community on internationals and The Hague
The study association of honours education SLHC established an international commission concerned with the closer involvement of international students in the Honours Community. The language of communication will become English where possible, and more upcoming activities will be organised in The Hague as well. ‘We also want to include internationals in the student life.’
The Leiden Honours Community (SLHC) is the study association for students of the Honours College and the (International) Leiden Leadership Programme. ‘We try to connect students of different disciplines,’ explains the chair Shivane Frauenfelder. ‘And because everyone follows Honours education, you have something to talk about’, she continues. During the activities they organise this year, the focus is generally on the future of the students. ‘We want to bridge the gaps between the students’ degrees, their honours education, and the labour market.’
English
This year, the focus is on international students, mostly living in The Hague. ‘Sometimes they are in the Netherlands for only one year, so that they cannot become a member in a different association’, explains Frauenfelder. ‘We also want to involve them in Leiden’s student life.’ This is the reason why an international commission has been established, and the language of communication is going to change to English where possible. Angelica Retsjkina (treasurer): ‘Most students of the university speak English anyway, so we do not expect any problems.’
Antibiotic resistance
More upcoming activities will also be organised in Den Haag, instead of just Leiden. Retsjkina: ‘Within the organised activities, we want to combine as many different interests as possible.’ The brand new board members enjoy the fact that the subjects of e.g. the symposium are not set in stone. Frauenfelder: ‘I am thinking about antibiotic resistance, for example. That is a concern for everyone and has many different angles.’
The drinks
Recently, the study association visited the law firm Stibbe. Retsjkina: ‘It was about platform enterprises, about the question whether their employees will become freelancers, with loss of social security as a result. A great deal of these employees is a young person or student, which makes it very relevant to us.’ A freelance collective could be the solution to future challenges for the labour market. This was the conclusion of the Stibbe-talk. At the end, those present enjoyed drinks together, on which Frauenfelder wants to leave a final remark. ‘We are allowed to have fun, but with us, it will be study-related’, she laughs.
(IJT)