Series of Events Highlights Student Life at Wittenborg
Series of Events Highlights Student Life at Wittenborg
https://www.wittenborg.eu/series-events-highlights-student-life-wittenborg.htm
Student Life at Wittenborg Comes Alive with Workshops, Cultural Exchange and Sport
Student life at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has been especially active recently with students taking part in a camera-confidence workshop, the launch of SWIFT’s global book and discussion club, a padel and squash event and the introduction of a run club. Across all these activities the focus has been on helping students connect, stay active and feel more at home.
Building Confidence Behind the Camera
In one of the recent workshops, MBM student Huy Vo guided Wittenborg's social media volunteers through something many people quietly struggle with – being comfortable on camera.
Instead of simply saying “be confident” the session explored why this often feels difficult. Students examined ideas such as the “spotlight effect” where individuals feel as though they are being closely observed and mirror bias which can make seeing oneself on screen feel unnatural.
The practical element formed the core of the session. Participants learned practical techniques, such as focusing on one imagined person rather than a crowd, limiting retakes and planning ideas visually instead of memorising scripts.
By the end of the session, what stood out was not perfection but how quickly participants relaxed once they began practising: “The camera doesn’t care about perfection; it cares about authenticity. If you stumble on a word but keep your energy up, people actually connect with that human element,” he explained.
A Book Club and New Ways to Connect
Wittenborg's SWIFT team introduced its book club, bringing students together for its introduction event through storytelling, music and cultural sharing.
Students from countries including China, Türkiye, India, Iran, South Africa and Nigeria took part, sharing songs, stories and personal perspectives. The session felt like a cultural exchange where everyone contributed, according to organiser Sarah Gaultney-Udjo, a Wittenborg student.
She said: “We welcome themes that encourage a positive exchange of cultural ideas, demonstrate intercultural friendship and build intrapersonal and interpersonal communication.”
Alongside the book club, students were also introduced to a new run club, offering another way to stay active, meet others and build community outside the classroom. The run was organised by Wittenborg’s Student Representatives, led largely by Arshia Baharloueiyancheshmeh in collaboration with SWIFT. He also plans to continue organising similar activities in the future.
What’s more, students also came together for a padel and squash event at Squash & Padel Apeldoorn.
Sport, Energy and Community in Action
For the padel and squash event, around 50 participants joined in the activity. The event was organised and coordinated by Wittenborg student Shaghayegh Ghalamzan in collaboration with Wittenborg and Squash & Padel Apeldoorn.
She described the focus of the event as creating an experience rather than just an activity, with attention given to structure, flow and participant engagement from start to finish.
“Great sports events are not built by chance,” she said. “They are designed through experience, structure and execution. People remember how an event feels.”
The organisation included planning participant flow, structuring beginner and intermediate courts, managing rotations, preparing equipment and ensuring a smooth schedule throughout the session. The event also included promotional and engagement elements to create an inviting atmosphere for all skill levels, with many trying padel and squash for the first time.
Shaghayegh highlighted that while careful planning is important, such events rely heavily on teamwork. She thanked the organisers and helpers for making the day a success.
WUP 29/05/2026
by Erene Roux
©WUAS Press
Tags
#SDG3: Good Health and Well-being
#Internationalisation
#internationalstudent
#Diversity
#apeldoorn
#studyinholland
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