Introduction Week

Dear future student,

Starting a study is exciting. You go from your familiar life to a completely new one. How are you going to make new friends? How are you going to achieve a binding recommendation on continuation of studies (BSA: Bindend Studieadvies)? Do you have spare time left? Should you move to Amsterdam or is it more convenient to stay at the warm home of your parents?

You have so many questions and so few answers, but luckily you are not the only one. Together with your fellow new students you all are in the same rollercoaster.

What is the Introduction Week?

Kraket recognises this rollercoaster, since we all have been there, once. Therefore, we organise the Introduction Week. This week is especially for you and other first-year students. The week is meant to let you know other students, the university and the city of Amsterdam. During the days and the evenings, you will be together with your new fellow students and get to know each other. You will be divided into several groups, where each group will only consist of new Bachelor students Econometrics & Operations Research and Econometrics & Data Science. Each group will be guided by two mentors, both older year students. They can answer all your questions and will make you an unforgettable week.
You can register for the 5 days or the 2 days Introduction Week here.

Note: The program below is for the Introduction Week of 2025, but the schedule might be a bit different during the week.

Program of the week (5 days)

Wednesday, August 20
09:00-10:30: Arrival and the opening in the Aula. After that, the groups will gather. This will be the first time you will see your new fellow students and your mentors.
10:30-11:30: Get to know your group.
11:30-13:00: Introductory games. During these games, you will get to know the ins and outs of each other. This will also break the ice :)
13:00-14:00: Lunch and visit the information market.
14:00-18:00: Crazy 53 in the city center. A Crazy 53 is a nice game with 53 crazy assignments, which you have to do as a group.
18:00-22:00: Eating pizza and doing games in the Vondelpark.
22:00-late: Going out.

Thursday, August 21
10:00-18:00: VU City Day. This day will be dedicated to visit Amsterdam's highlights, such as Artis and a museum.
18:00-22:00: Eating in groups at Campus Uilenstede.
22:00-late: Party with other study associations.

Friday, August 22
10:00-16:00: VU sports day.
16:00-20:00: We’ll travel to an external location in Amsterdam and have a pub quiz there.
20:00-0:00: Opening drinks at this external location in Amsterdam. At this activity, you will have the chance to not only meet your new fellow students, but also other people from Kraket. Many older year students are curious to meet you and will be here!
00:00-late: Going out with all Kraketters.
Also, make sure to become a member of Kraket!

Monday, August 25
11:30-12:30: Campus tour. After this tour, you will know everything about the terrible WN building, modern NU building and the delicious lunch restaurants at the Zuidas.
12:30-14:00: Useful talks. The academic advisors will tell you where you can go if you have difficulties studying, or any other troubles. Also, the Chairman of Kraket, Career Services and other important institutions will give a talk.
14:00-14:30: Lunch.
14:30-15:30: Registering for courses and following a lecture. A lecture is just a formal word for a lesson.
15:30-19:30: We’ll travel to a student association, where we’ll eat, play games, and more. Kraket is a study association, that is from and for people of the study only. But there are also many student associations in Amsterdam, that are available for all people, no matter the study.
19:30-22:00: Vondelpark theater music night organised by the VU.
22:00-late: Going out.

Tuesday, August 26
09:00-13:00: Workshops. This morning, there will be time to follow some useful and less-useful online workshops, such as tips for planning, peer pressure, et cetera.
13:00-13:30: Lunch.
13:30–16:00: Travel to Pong, followed by table tennis and other games.
16:00-22:00: Having dinner, playing games and learn to row at student sport association Skøll. Skøll is one of the three student rowing associations in Amsterdam. Make sure to bring a (OV) bike this day!
22:00-04:00: End party of the Introduction Week!

Program of the week (2 days)

Friday, August 23
20:00-0:00: Opening drinks at an external location in Amsterdam. At this activity, you will have the chance to not only meet your new fellow students, but also other people from Kraket. Many older year students are curious to meet you and will be here!
00:00-late: Going out with all Kraketters.
Also, make sure to become a member of Kraket!

Monday, August 25
09:30-11:30: Gathering at the campus square. This will be the first time you meet your new fellow students and mentors. We’ll play some introductory games to help you get to know each other. It’s a great way to break the ice :)
11:30-12:30: Campus tour. After this tour, you will know everything about the terrible WN building, modern NU building and the delicious lunch restaurants at the Zuidas.
12:30-14:00: Useful talks. The academic advisors will tell you where you can go if you have difficulties studying, or any other troubles. Also, the Chairman of Kraket, Career Services and other important institutions will give a talk.
14:00-14:30: Lunch.
14:30-15:30: Registering for courses and following a lecture. A lecture is just a formal word for a lesson.
15:30-19:30: We’ll travel to a student association, where we’ll eat, play games, and more. Kraket is a study association, that is from and for people of the study only. But there are also many student associations in Amsterdam, that are available for all people, no matter the study.
19:30-22:00: Vondelpark theater music night organised by the VU.
22:00-late: Going out.

Introduction Weekend

After this amazing week, you get the chance to go on the Introduction Weekend.

In the weekend before the start of the first term, the Introduction Weekend takes place. This weekend on Texel is organised for first years only, with the guidance of a number of older year's students. It will be a relaxing weekend with enough time to get to know your new fellow students very well.