In the spirit of the Week of International Students, Radboud University and the HAN organized a variety of activities for this year’s Global Night, bringing international and Dutch students together. ‘Today, we are not dancing because we can, but because we cannot stop.’

Yesterday evening, the Refter became the place to be for delicious food, intense board games and unique dances. According to the president of the International Student Organisation Nijmegen, Daniel Lobo, the Global Night exceeded all expectations: ‘It’s great to revive this tradition.’

The night’s clear highlight was a dinner in the dark, organized by the Meet and Eat committee. For that, everyone received blindfolds and gathered around the table to indulge in a mysterious three-course-menu.

‘It’s great to see food disappearing from the plates’

A concept that proved popular: ‘We had to extend the previously agreed number of participants from 50 to 75, since more than 150 people signed up,’ according to one Meet and Eat coordinator. ‘It’s great to see food disappearing from the plates and smiles appearing on people’s faces.’

Connect

Lobo was especially happy to see that every activity was crowded – a marked difference from the social distancing restrictions that had put a hold on the Global Night for the past two years. ‘I see this evening as an important opportunity for our students to come together and expand their horizons. Our motto was clear: meet the world, make a change.’

One of the events participating students could take part in, was a speed-friending activity organized by ESN. ‘I initially came because I wanted to meet other people from Croatia,’ says Anja Perkovic (20). But in the end, the Life Sciences student from HAN stayed for the communal feeling. ‘It’s a unique experience to share anecdotes with people you’ve just met. I don’t think you get the chance to connect like this very often.’

Koekhappen

Besides the general mingling and blindfolded feasting, the evening also included activities ranging from traditional Dutch games, like Ezeltje prik and Koekhappen, to choir singing, a laughing workshop, and Tumba dancing. ‘Today, we are not dancing because we can, but because we cannot stop!’, claimed the founder of the Dutch-Caribbean Community, Nadine van Maasakker-Robertus, the organizer behind the evening’s Tumba classes.

The evening ended with the famous RIS pub quiz. After 30 intense questions, the winning group ‘McKroket’ walked away with a 30 euros cheque for Café Opera in Nijmegen.