This is how we kicked off the academic year: meeting, brainstorming, growing.
Saturday, November 15, the building of EVA bxl was buzzing! What was going on? Together for a Diploma’s FUN activity to kick off the new academic year!
The purpose of the activity was for the students and mentors to get to know each other better as well as for the team of Together for a Diploma to get input on how to further develop the initiative in the future.
It all started with a short presentation by intern Anna, about what Together for a Diploma is again. So everyone was back to the purpose of the initiative! Marleen talked about her experiences as a student at Samen voor een Diploma.
Time for the speed dates! A lle participants were placed in two rows facing each otherwith theintention to, on the basis of a specific question, jhe overneighbor better. After two minutes, they moved on and a new overneighbor arrived and another new question, and so on. This was really a success : there was animosity in the hall and the decibels went up in the air!
During eand brainstorming was doneeight about ‘how to reach people who want to grow but don’t know if studying suits them?. What did we learn from it? O among others the challenge for Samen for a Diploma to more people at reach outside the higher education institutions to. For example: via language tables Dutch, interculturele mediators, or perhaps even through weekly markets. Also came thresholds and challenges come up those may make studying difficult. We received a lot of input that we will be working on in the coming months!
A collaborative work of art was worked. The artwork’s theme was: “What Does Together for a Diploma Mean to You?” andWhat does a diploma mean to you?’ In the process there was a lot of cutting and pasting, was exchanged and beautiful collages were formed!
After all that crafting, it was it was time for the well-deserved lunch from Cosmos. Delicious veggie lasagna, rice and lentil balls were on the menu. Not to mention the desserts! Eating together was very enjoyable.
One of the students said afterwards, “I have rarely felt so welcome.” So it was a very successful commencement activity! In this way, we are committed to networking, one of the building blocks of Together for a Diploma.
Thanks to Marleen (the student/volunteer who helped a lot with content and also to prepare the room), Ine for the framing and practical arrangements, Ilse and Layla for photography, Leila for taking care of the students’ children, Ingrid for general help with the event and Anna for brainstorming and presentation.