Student Associations
What is a Student Association?
Student Associations in Leiden
Leiden has a rich student life, where students can become a member of numerous student associations. In these associations, students have the opportunity to develop their organisational, communicative and social skills to complement their academic curriculum. Although Leiden University provides financial support and facilities for the student associations, they are independent and are run by students.
What is the difference between a Student Association and a Study Association?
A basic distinction exists between the study associations (studieverenigingen) and student associations (studentenverenigingen).
Study Associations are always connected to a Faculty / Department and membership is usually restricted to students from a specific field. Although social activities are organised, the study associations focus primarily on study-related activities.
Which Student Associations?
General Student Associations
There are Dutch-oriented student associations, open to short-term memberships for international students.
Augustinus | Catena | Minerva | Quintus | SSR
What is Augustinus?
With almost 1600 members, Augustinus is one of the largest student associations. Augustinus is a centuries-old student association located in a monumental building on the beautiful Rapenburg canal.
Restaurant
In many ways, Augustinus is a unique student association. It has a 'restaurant' where both members and non-members, can have dinner for prices between
4.00 and 7.00. The restaurant is open on weekdays from 17.30 - 20.30.
Activities
Augustinus has a very diverse weekly programme. On Thursday nights, non-members are welcome, without the need to be introduced by a member.
On this evening, the cultural committee (AOD) presents a cultural programme to interested students. The programme varies from debating to films, from cabaret to poetry. Tickets for non-members usually cost 3.00.
International student membership
On other week nights, non-members can be introduced by Augustinus members up to a maximum of five times per year. The weekly student disco parties on Fridays are well known. Every year, 25 international students have the opportunity to become an Augustinus-Erasmus member. Augustinus-Erasmus members can visit Augustinus on Friday nights, without restrictions, during a five-month period. In addition, there is a special membership available for international students, which costs 23 for three months. For more information about the Augustinus Erasmus membership or about Augustinus in general, please feel free to contact the Board of Augustinus.
What is Catena?
Catena is a medium-sized, fun-loving student association. Although it offers many activities to its members (as most student clubs do), it is the only student club that imposes no obligations on its members. No obligations also means that we do not have a nasty introduction week, and that you are completely free to go wherever you want. The only rule, as Catena puts it, is to be yourself. A typical member is someone who is capable of standing on his/her own feet with a non-conformist point of view.
Activities
It depends on the members themselves what role Catena fulfils in their lives. If you like to drink and party all night long: no problem. But if you are looking for more at our student association, we have it. Catena has a lot of committees on offer. One of our principles is that these committees are made up of volunteers. Computer facilities are available to all members, enabling them to work on their academic papers, but also to play games for fun.
Membership
Being a member means that you are welcome every day (on weekdays from 2 pm till late and during the weekend from 9 pm till late). On Monday to Friday you can have dinner at our mensa (restaurant) if there is a cook, and if you call before 4 pm. If you are interested in joining Catena or simply want more information, feel free to drop by any afternoon or contact us. International students can become a member for only 6.25 a month!
What is Minerva?
Minerva, the result of a merger between the Leidsch Studenten Corps (1839) (Leiden student fraternity) and the Vereeniging voor Vrouwelijke Studenten Leiden (1900) (Leiden student association for female students), is the oldest and, with 1,750 members, largest student association in Leiden. It is also the most traditional one, and its "mores" (Latin for traditional customs) play an important role in the life of this student association. Minerva has its own building (sociëteit), which is the oldest in the Netherlands. It is located at Breestraat 50 and only admits members.
Activities
International students are welcome to visit Minerva on Thursday nights. The so-called 'Thursday membership' also includes access to student disco 'Hifi' and the ability to become a member of one of Minerva's 17 sub-associations, which focus on subjects such as sports, music or other special interests.
Membership
Another possible membership for international students is a "Friday membership". They will have to be introduced by three members of Minerva. International students can choose between a membership for 3, 6 or 12 months, with a membership fee of 10 for three months, 16 for 6 months and 22.50 for 12 months. The Bestuursgang (Minerva Board) reserves the right to decide not to admit applicants.
If you are interested, please contact the Assessor Collegii of the Minerva Board, who will be happy to provide you with the necessary information or give you the papers for the "Friday membership".
What is Quintus?
Quintus was founded on January 18 1979 and, with 900 members, has become one of the largest associations in Leiden. Our slogan is "Diversity and Tolerance". Our members are organised in fraternities, sororities and mixed societies (disputen). This means that every year new prospective members join one of the 27 existing societies. Each society has its own evening on which the members gather at Quintus to have a drink and chat. This can be either on Monday or Thursday from 21.00 until closing time.
Activities
The committees organise all the activities at Quintus. Such activities include, for example, special parties, cultural evenings, external events and a Christmas dinner. Every member can join a committee in order to contribute to the realisation of special events. Quintus is open from Monday through Friday from 10.00 am until closing time. Non-members may be introduced five times a year. Apart from the societies, Quintus has several sport clubs and organising committees. There are clubs for tennis, hockey, horseback riding, golf and debating.
Restaurant
Quintus has its own restaurant, which is open from Monday to Thursday for both members and non-members. The food is very good and you can eat here for a low price (circa 3.00). If you have any questions or if you want to visit Quintus some time, just call, write or e-mail!
What is SSR?
SSR is a general student association which has been in existence for about 100 years. The association has around 500 members and owns a building in the city centre. SSR's members are a varied group, with a wide range of interests. This diversity provides extra space to create and explore your own potential.
Activities
You are welcome to stop by for a cup of coffee or to help organise and prepare specific activities, which take place during the night. However, most activities start at night. Over the past year SSR hosted a couple of famous Dutch writers, political debates, social events and many cultural evenings. Evenings about African dance, lectures on psychology and massage have also been organised in the past. Besides these more serious aspects of SSR, time is also reserved for having a drink, relaxing and throwing a party.
Membership
Becoming a member only costs 17.50 for three months. You can visit SSR three times without charge after being introduced by a member, before deciding whether or not you want to join.
International Student Associations
The following student associations have a distinct international orientation:
International Student Network | AEGEE-Leiden | SIB (DUNSA)
|
International Student Network Leiden (ISN)
If you have any questions, or you just want to hang out, feel free to call us or stop by at the Common Room:
You can find the Common Room right next to Student Centre Plexus:
(first door in the alley left from Plexus)
Tel. 071-5273232
Mon-Fri: 15.00 19.00
Thanks again, and I hope to see you soon, either at Einstein's, the International Office, or the Common Room. You're always welcome to come by (but you would probably want to come during office hours, from 15-19 that is).
Postal address:
P.O. Box 439
2300 AK Leiden
The Netherlands
Website:
www.isn-leiden.nl
|
|
What is ISN?
ISN-Leiden is a student organisation that aims to give the international student an interesting, exciting, and all-out great time in Leiden. We give you the opportunity to meet other international and Dutch students, get to know Dutch student life, and get a feel for Dutch culture.
ISN-Leiden is the Leiden section of the International Erasmus Student Network. ISN-Leiden is one of the 11 operational sections of ESN in the Netherlands. The network's mission is to facilitate the welcoming and integration of international exchange students in the town where they have chosen to study.
ISN-Mentor
To facilitate your stay in Leiden, ISN-Leiden offers to find you a personal student mentor, preferably from your own discipline. This mentor can introduce you to the staff of your faculty (lecturers and professors, administration, study organisation, etc). For the mentor programme, ISN-Leiden recruits mentors from the current Leiden student body. ISN-Leiden works closely with the International Office.
Activities
To further this mission and objectives, the tasks of ISN-Leiden include: organising activities, coordinating a mentor programme, and providing information for international exchange students relating to their study period in Leiden.
Throughout the year, ISN-Leiden organises parties and excursions to, for example, the Peace Palace in The Hague, to Amsterdam and the Heineken Brewery. Also, every Wednesday at 22.00 there are drinks for international students in café Einstein, Nieuwe Rijn 19.
|
AEGEE-Leiden
Visitor's address:
Plexus Student Centre (3th floor)
Kaiserstraat 25, 2311GN, Leiden
Postal address:
Plexus Student Centre
P.O. box 439, 2300AK, Leiden
E-mail: info@aegee-leiden.nl
|  |
What is AEGEE?
AEGEE Leiden (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe) is the Leiden section of a network of student associations all over Europe. Overall, the European network has more than 17,000 members. AEGEE Leiden organises parties, excursions and other activities. Every year, a large conference is organised. An important aim of AEGEE Leiden is, through these events, to introduce international and exchange students to Leiden students. Membership costs circa 30 for a year.
European Student Identity
Local branches of the AEGEE can be found everywhere in Europe, from Moscow to Grenada, from Glasgow to Athens, not forgetting Leiden, of course. Since the official aim of AEGEE is to achieve European integration through creating a European student identity, all activities have a European theme. However, non-European students are of course welcome to join in AEGEE activities.
Activities
One of the most important activities of the AEGEE is the Summer University, which is organised each year by one of the local branches. These two-week programmes, taking place in the summer, combine culture, education, but above all, pleasure and a great party. The Summer University is hosted by the local branch and is attended by students from all over Europe. Apart from the SU, there is an event somewhere in Europe every week, which is open to AEGEE members. In short: AEGEE is your key to Europe!
Every year AEGEE Leiden organises parties, as well as a large conference for international students. One of the aims of AEGEE Leiden is to introduce exchange students to Leiden students through these events.
What is SIB?
The Leidse Studentenvereniging voor Internationale Betrekkingen (Leiden Students Association for International Relations), founded in 1947, aims to inform its members of political, economical, social and cultural aspects of international relations. Although it is not committed to or dependent upon any political or social group, it does subscribe to the Charter of the United Nations and is affiliated with the UN as the Dutch United Nations Student Association (DUNSA). It serves as a forum for students to discuss and study international and political issues. Parties and social activities also play an important role in SIB life.
Activities?
The SIB is organised in committees and theme groups, which focus on a special area or subject, e.g. Latin America, the Middle East, security issues or development. Members can get involved in as many committees and theme groups as they like. Local SIB sections are organised as part of a national structure. Members of a particular SIB section, such as Leiden, can take part in activities of another section, like Amsterdam. Over the years, the SIB has organised study trips to destinations as diverse as the former Soviet Union, Poland, Italy, Berlin, the United States, Israel, South Africa and Iran. Each year, a two-day trip to Brussels is organised which includes visits to EU institutions and the NATO headquarters.
SIB Drinks
Every Wednesday, members of SIB Leiden get together for drinks and conversation at café 't Keizertje (Kaiserstraat 2).
Join?
For more information and questions on how to join, please email sib@plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Trainings
On Tuesday we dont just debate, we also offer training sessions for our members. These workshops are given by experienced debaters both from Leiden and other Dutch universities. The content of the workshop vary from structured speaking and presentation, to good argumentation and philosophical analysis.
Tournaments
Besides our weekly debates in the Plexus, we visit a lot of tournaments both in the Netherlands and abroad. Last year we visited Oxford, Birmingham, Bremen, Tallinn, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Istanbul. We had two speaker in the final of the Amsterdam Open. At the European Universities Debating Championship (EUDC) in the category English as a Second Language two teams reached the quarterfinals, one team the finalas and one of our members even became best speaker!
This year we will, among others, go to tournaments in Oxford, Birmingham, Strathclyde Scotland, Cologne, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and the EUDC in Tallinn.
We would love for you to join us!
Rob Honig (President): 06 41 99 16 91
www.leidschebeck.nl
The homepage of our website is in English. Here you can find information about upcoming events and tournaments we plan to visit, as well as our most recent victories.
More information: info@leidschebeck.nl
|
