Strengthening the Community: Wittenborg Student Representatives Launch Night Chats

10.10.2025

Initiative Gives New Students Chance to Integrate and Support Each Other

Wittenborg’s Student Representatives have launched Night Chats, an initiative designed to bring students together and foster mutual support and integration. The first session took place on 5 September at the school’s student housing facilities in Apeldoorn, drawing around 20 bachelor’s and master’s students.

The meeting began with a short introduction round, giving participants the chance to share a bit about themselves in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Afterwards, students engaged in discussions about Dutch cycling rules, cultural differences and everyday challenges. As the evening went on, they grew more comfortable and started sharing personal concerns – from coping with exam stress and finding a family doctor to buying a bicycle or searching for part-time jobs. These topics were noted and prioritised by the Student Representatives to be addressed in future Night Chats.

According to MBM student Shirin Sadeghi, vice president of the Student Representatives, the outcome of the activity was extremely positive. “We were thrilled with how it turned out. The energy was fantastic, students felt comfortable and it was a truly interactive and engaging evening. The students loved it, and it was especially rewarding to see new students feel supported by their peers. Beyond university staff, they now know there are fellow students ready to listen, guide and support them. And, of course, new friendships were formed, which made the evening even more special.”

She highlighted that, among other reasons, Night Chats were created because the school has multiple intakes each year, meaning there are always new students who are not yet familiar with the Student Representatives or the support they offer. “We wanted to change that – to make our team approachable, visible and genuinely helpful. The goal is to bring students together in a friendly and relaxed setting, where they can feel heard, share experiences and receive guidance when needed.”

Shirin added that before launching the initiative, the Student Representatives even prepared a small welcome guide for newcomers. “It included practical tips like where to buy essentials, important university contacts and emergency numbers, all based on our own experiences as new students. Through these Night Chats, we aim to stay closely connected with students, understand their needs and make sure everyone feels supported and part of the community.”

The Student Representatives are planning to hold Night Chats regularly, ideally every month or every two months, depending on scheduling and approval. They are preparing a detailed plan for the next sessions, including topics and logistics. To promote the first session, they used resources such as posters in the student housing facilities and word of mouth. Additionally, some students joined spontaneously when they saw the group gathering in the lounge area.

Shirin underlined that Wittenborg has been incredibly supportive from the start, encouraging the idea, helping with the organisation and providing the resources needed to make the event happen. “Their openness and support make it so much easier for us to create these meaningful student experiences,” she said.

The vice president of the Student Representatives emphasised that activities like Night Chats are essential because they create a strong, active bridge between students and the school. “These events foster connection, mutual support, and a sense of belonging, all of which are invaluable in a diverse, international environment like Wittenborg. For us as Student Representatives, it’s incredibly motivating to see the impact we can make and the community we can build together,” she concluded.