Dear Blog readers, SU participants and AEGEE-ers,

The SU has really ended. We are still sitting in our backyard (just cleaned! Man you guys drink a lot of beer J) drinking coffee and thinking back to the last two weeks.

Getting sentimental again, we can only say, guys we love you all! These two weeks were so amazing. We started 6 months ago when Holland was white and covered in snow. Not knowing what to expect, not knowing what we wanted to do and not knowing which participants we would get. During these six months the SU came to life. We wanted to sail with you. Sail over the Dutch water, but if we would go sailing, we wanted your views and opinions on Europe, on the Netherlands and towards each other. That’s why we couldn’t have done this SU without such great participants from the start. For two weeks we sailed through the Netherlands and through several European topics and some amazing parties with 28 fantastic people who knew how to party but had really something to say as well. The organizers would really like to thank you for all the input and the enthusiasm during the games, workshops and activities and also for the amazing amount of energy you gave us. Though we all had a huge lack of sleep you always managed to get energized for the things we organized, you were almost always on time (almost J) but most of all you were an amazing group together! We had the feeling you really felt like one group and we were happy to be a part of that.

Thinking of all the things we did we already start laughing and digging up some (old) memories already! The Big chaos game, the gossip box, the first day of sailing, the workshop on Dutch history, the amazing weather, the cooking workshop, the wadlopen, the campfire, everything was great!

We will definitely miss you all but we just want to say that this SU was amazing for us and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

All those great memories will be joined together on Picasa of course! We already received some photo files of you, but we will make a Picasa account where you can share all your photos! We can’t wait to see them all!

Further more, we would like to thank all people in Groningen who helped, the Sailors, the Workshop teachers and all your smiles and enthusiasm for being so active in the SU and we couldn’t have done this without you. We really got amazing energy boosts by seeing all this and we enjoyed every second of this. Also thanks for the sweet goodbye words and hugs.

Famil even showed up with these amazing flowers J (Thanks!) You are all sweet!!

We will take a beer now from what is left of last night, and we would like to end with something that somehow, somewhere will always be true…

See you somewhere in Europe!!

On behalf of the whole Summer University Committee 2010 of AEGEE-Groningen,

Anne W

By: Renata Gatina (Sevastopol)

Yesterday was perfect We went to the lake, for 5 hours. It was wonderful, especially supermarket))). Our “Boss” asked: “If somebody wants something to drink”, and we answered that we also want something to eat. So, he said: “Let’s go to supermarket!” It was the first experience for us to go to the supermarket by boat. It was very funny. Wind wasn’t strong, so we were late to the island, but we also had grate time on the boat, we were just relaxing, sometimes sleeping, making photos (like in Titanic:)))))     

It was our last full day in Groningen, so after sailing we had a barbeque. It was a lot of meat, a lot of drink and a lot of smiles and tears. It was amazing atmosphere there. We’ve got certificates, for example: “for the most beautiful eyes”, “the craziest participant”, “the smartest participant” and so on…

I never forget this day, as the previous ones))) I think I’m not the only one ))))))))))) 

Vesna Rakic (Ljubljana)

The day began with my favorite part of this SU: workshops. This time we had a workshop about European identity. The project is about European people gathering together, despite their different religion, lifestyle and culture. The project is called To-Gather, and they are also making a movie about it, and they organize workshops in other countries as well, and will end their tour in my city, Ljubljana, because this is where their project began. We also got CD with their music, which I like a lot, because they mixed all music styles from Europe in one CD, and it sounds great.After workshop there was some free time for lunch, but it started raining so strong that we had to wait under roof for a while, before heading to our lunch, but it was fun.

And then we had: cooking contest! We had groups of 5 people, and each group had some ingredients on their table, and they had to prepare something from that. Our table was a very sad, we were all crying, because we had to cut a lot of onions We made meat sauce, but there were also three types of salads, vegetable meals and three deserts. Njami njami.

In the evening we had a "childhood hero" party. We had: a princess, gangsta, cowboy, mouse, Indian, rabbit, Robin Hood (or at least I think it was Robin Hood ), avatar, my personal favorite: Joker from Batman movie. Almost everyone had a mask and other guests were looking a bit weird at us, but we didn't really care. I left the party quite early, because I was tired from other day, but I guess I got used to it by now, that there is no time to sleep in this summer university:)Anyway, it was a great day, and can't wait to go sailing tomorrow.

By Maria Herrando (Zarragoza)

Spending a day in Amsterdam: after a long trip in the train (more than two hours) trying to sleep, which is impossible if you are travelling with 15 more people, we arrived to Amsterdam. It was overcrowded, full of tourists and people which spent their Sunday as we did, walking through the Red District and crossing the multiple canals. But, for me, what could be better than spend the day drinking beers while seeing the busy streets, and observing how the tourists buy presents in the markets. Since my point of view, too many coffee-shops and sex-shops, full of whorehouses with girls of all ages. However, I don’t want to be pessimistic, and I’m sure that there’re a lot of other places, as Chinatown and the neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, where you can have a really good time, out of the typical city. If I have to choose the best part of the day, without doubts, it is the arrival at home (I mean, arrive to Groningen), and go to a pub to drink some beers (yes, again beers, I love them ), with the other participants and organizers, enjoying the time by listening different experiences of this well-known city.

And then about the experiences of the people who stayed behind in Groningen.

In the morning we slept long, very long. Luciana, Kim and Pierre slept till at least 15 o'clock. And the organizers?? Even though it was our free day, there was lots of work to do

But we  did it the easy way, some coffee here and there and chilling out! In the evening we went out for dinner at the Mexican restaurant, ask Amanda about this beany experience *gossip gossip* And after that we went to the AEGEE office to watch a movie. Even Bart and Judit joined us to watch Amsterdamned together with some other Groningers. It was a great movie! Dating from the eighties but absolutely timeless. It was so scary that Janneke didn't sleep that night and the blankets and pillows were close to our hands. After the movie was finished we decided to discover the AEGEE office by night. Amanda and I were together in the elevator when Thomas thought he was funny by smashing himself against the elevator. Screaming of fear and scared to death we stepped out of the elevator. Lights were switched on everywhere and we had quite some fun. Then we went to the pub the 9th circle to wait for the boys who would return from the Love Parade in Germany and for the people returning from Amsterdam. And we had to say goodbye to somebody!

Giuseppe was leaving to Germany because of a language course he had to follow!

After a long goodbye we all went home in the rain!

Giuseppe thanks for being such a great participant and we will miss you all!

Tonight, the Childhood hero party and the second last day of the SU!

See you all tonight!

Anne W

By Pia Ottacher (warwick)

Saturday, 185 steps and you arrive at the top of the Martinitower, I was told. And I thought, yes lets do it. It can t be that challenging. But it was J Indeed, turn around, turn around as Jesse had to during Friday`s gossip lecture.

Different etages where to pass accompanied by cute new couples and many bells to ring. Afterwards some of us had a great lunch time in one of Groningen`s last sun lights and went on to have a lovely diner in the globe, although we missed the laughter and chatting of our dear lost sons, who have left us for Germany, why but why….

Afterwards we could taste great beers and had nice closure chats of the last week. Also still on Saturday I had the impression that I get to know people better and better which gave me a warm feeling. Saturday it was a nice chance to take a bit of rest, which a nice Belgian beer, I liked it a lot.  Thanks

The trip to Drenthe

Yes, after European Night we planned a day outside of Groningen. And we wanted to leave at 09.00 am! After ECN, that is a crime against humanity you would say! Well, I think we went to bed around 4.30 and we got up around 6.30… praying that all participants would be there to join us. Scared about what we saw last night (drunken people throwing up in the bus, such a good idea??) we thought that if 5 people would show up, we would be happy. Violet and I were cycling to the bus and we saw Lucy and Judit walking.. Yes! First two! When we got there, 3 participants were already waiting for us! And suddenly all participants were walking towards us!!! What a heroes! Drinking and still smiling and looking bright and shiny (well, let’s say they were there at least) With lots of screaming and 25 participants we stepped into the bus, of f to Drenthe! First we went to Orvelte, one of the oldest villages in the Netherlands which they turned into a museum village with all kinds of guilds and old buildings. Some even took a trip with horse and cart. Then we went on to Havelte, to the Hunebedden. And Jesse, as a Drenthse local could tell us all about these big rocks build up in a strange figure. We made a nice 2 km walk in the sun in the forest before returning to Groningen. On our way back, most participants slept of course. What can you expect, after such a heavy European Night!

In the evening there was the dinner for the host! I heard many good stories about dancing traditional music and sweet sangria! Myself and Violet went to diner at Sjoerds house with Kasia and Aleksandra cooking for us! They made a traditional Polish dinner with chicken, rice, “chicken in a cube” and of course the famous polish endive salad! We had a great evening where we could relax and enjoy the great skills in the kitchen of the Polish girls! Thanks a lot J

After a good meal we could again party at the Great Pianos, no karaoke this time! There was live music! We all enjoyed and partied on ‘till late in the evening! It was a great dayJ

Still tired and a bit drunk of the ECN we are all going to sleep now! Tomorrow another day, with workshops, martini towers and row, row, row your boat! Sleep wellJ

Anne W

Due to some extremely fun @ the European Culture Night the blog of yesterday was a bit delayed! But most people weren't capable of writing anymore

Here is the work of Aleksandra Popiolek (Warsawa)

Debate workshop,

Sailor games

Preparation to European Culture Nights

Debate Day

We started the day as usual a little bit later waiting for some people and of course being sleepy. The fact that we will have our workshop in library building makes some people maybe even sleepier so they began with a big coffee. Than came a guy looking like, what I suppose after spending nine days in Netherlands, a usual Dutch guy. So al seemed to be nothing new but.. than he started talking.. Talking I think isn’t the proper word here… he started performing.. activating, motivating as.. coaching, how to prepare a good speech.
We gave us different tasks: from serious ones like – “present argument in favour of USA” to more funny like “against drinking beer” to more creative like “convince the audience as Big Bird why should you stay in the too heavy falling down balloon”.. and we didn’t realise how quickly the time flew by. I would be really willing to take part in such workshop lasting the whole day… we weren’t aware why many different debates will we have that day…

Than we had the time for lunch so, not having much money after so many days with parties, we went to the shop to buy some food and then to the park to eat it …and here also we experience some kind of a debate – sitting on the stairs, biting our sandwiches we started also a quite serious debate about girlfriends and boyfriends, trying also to find a solution for a problem of one guy, whose relationships usually last from October to summer when it comes up to much problems. Telling each other our “love stories” and experiences we also found something in common, most of us- Aegee people because of our huge passion to travel, to do crazy creative things and learn people we sometimes can cooperate it with more usual holiday plans of our partners..

But the greatest experience comes in the evening when we all meet for a really international dinner – it wasn’t also a normal dinner – participants from every country had prepared before special national dishes and brought national drinks of course with not little amount of percents.  Everyone could present his table and make and promote his country – some people sounded like really good speakers.. Immediately after the last presentation started a big degustation… There were spicy, salty, sweet and also really weird things to try… a big mix of experiences…and after the degustation of alcohols began also many funny conversations and debates while dancing, chatting, smoking but…we don’t remember exactly what they were about ;P

Blog about Tuesday 20 July and Wednesday 21 July

By Guillermo/Willem/Guille/Guiller… (Madrid)

“Alex Serbia”, my roommate, and me were late as usualto the meeting point at the Academy building. AEGEE Groningen had organized areally cool workshop about Duth history in the Library in front of the Academy.Bart was our teacher, and he did a review of all the history of the Netherlandssince 100 B.C. The workshop was really entertaining, and we did some quizzesabout the lesson to make things funnier. Bart told us that the person with thebest score in the quiz would get a bottle of wine. I managed to be second,although I could have been first if I had not written in my sheet: “Spain didn’twin the eighty-years war because we decided it was better to beat the Dutch atfootball”.

After the workshop, we had some time to rest and eatlunch. After that, we did a tour around Groningento explore the art in the city. We discovered really interesting facts andhistory about some popular spots of the city. We also laughed a lot at somecontroversial art pieces, like for example a bus stop with a TV behind an ironcurtain.

To recover energy, we went to “The Globe” for dinner,and after that we partied at the Irish pub “O’ceallaigh”.

On Wednesday we cycled from Groningen to Peize, where we saw a windmill.We were amazed at the complexity of the mechanism! The ride was awesome too,and we could enjoy the Dutch countryside for a while. Alex and me bought a hugebaguette for lunch, and we almost couldn’t finish it!  

At the end of the day, we had dinner at “t Pakhuis”.Now we are preparing for an incredible toga party! Woot!

The last few days.

It’s the second Tuesday already, time is flying! This morning we started at the University Library! Quite an interesting place… not allowed to take bags upstairs, climbing all those stairs, and experience the amazing 40 cents so-called coffee they serve over there! We must admit, for us students it isn’t the nicest place to come, besides the coffee. But we were there with a good reason. Bart Postma was going to give us a workshop on the history of The Netherlands! With some delays, yes indeed waking up is getting harder and harder, we started the workshop. First of all a quiz on world history, Maya, Aztecs, Inca? Or just the other way around? Was it 1848 or 1948? I hope the answers will not be published for the most of us, we should get back to school more often. But Bart was a great teacher! Also the Dutch people who should have known (and of course do knowJ) everything about the Dutch history had a great time. With the most interesting facts on beer drinking Holland and on his Frisian ancestors he guided us through time. All participants were quite and making a lot of notes, because in the end, another quiz! But know on Dutch history! And the winner? He/She will get a bottle of wine by the professor himself! This part was even more embarrassing for the Dutchies among us, because there was quite some stuff we didn’t know! Please don’t check mine! Although I am sure I got one answer right, thanks Lucy! For sharing it with the group J now I can feel less embarrassed.

After the workshop and some lunch time we went for an art tour through the city. Amanda and Sybren brought us from art work to art work through the inner city of Groningen. With some detailed information and a big smile they showed us all the strange and beautiful art in town. The prostitute street, the hidden horse and the kneeling man, we all saw them. After four hours of walking and making pictures everybody was hungry. We went to the Globe, a nice restaurant where we could fill our tummiesJ

This evening we were at the Irish pub with some live music which we all enjoyed of course, especially the Guinness beer was quite well known by most of us!

It was a very nice, hot (34 degrees) and tiring day! Once more, thanks a lot Bart! And thank you participants for participating so nice! You are the best J

Tomorrow: cycling to Peize and the toga party at het Pakhuis!! Come and join us all!

See you and sleep well!

On behalf of the whole SU Committee

Anne

By: Nora Quintanilla (Valencia)

Another day, another adventure in the Summer University in Groningen! After an amazing weekend in the island of Schiermonnikoog, we tried our luck today on canoeing through the channels of the city. But before talking about our watery race, I’ll remember some of the best memories I’ve brought from the island.

It all started when we left land on a ferry where the seagulls were flying so near we could almost touch them (well, in fact they collided with some of us!). Then, we divided our destination: a big, flat island with plenty of vegetation. We stayed at Springfield, a cosy hostel where we could get to know each other better by living together. The fun started at the very beginning, and I must remark the wonderful Wadlopen, this is, walking in the bottom of the sea! The tide was so low that we just had to put on our boots to cross the sea, and we discovered lots of things about nature, like plants and animals (and also, that you can deeply sink in the mud!). After that, we reached a small channel when we managed to catch some crabs and sea animals.

It was very windy but that’s not a problem for us sailors, so we had a night out at Toxbar, the pub of the island, and we also played a funny workshop wearing our own customized Scottish kilts!

But now we are back in Groningen, and the show must continue. So, this morning we all prepared to be in touch with the Dutch water again, and headed to a small harbour in a channel. There were plenty of canoes and soon we all started to prove our abilities (some better than others, but you know that the most important is trying!), such as using the rows to refresh the others with water! At the and, we were all soaked up and really felt like a team.

And, now I realize, it’s been already a week since we arrived! It has happened so fast but, you know, they say that when you’re enjoying, the time goes by quickly. We had some free time to have lunch, go shopping or just have a walk or sleep.

Well, I have to thank the organisers for the great SU we’re living right now, the weather for letting the sun go out so much, and of course all the other participants for being so funny and making each other have so good times. I’ll also say goodbye to Tess, who is leaving  for a SU also, and wish her a good time!

See you!

Nora