Also typical Wageningen: students and the New Year’s dip in the river Rhine. Beware though: swimming in the Rhine is not without danger! Photo Guy Ackermans Every student city has its own culture and unique traditions and customs. And each city is a little different. Still, Wageningen is sometimes extra unique. Resource editors Ilja Bouwknegt, Machteld van Kempen (also former AID board chair) and Luuk Zegers give a crash course in ‘Typical Wageningen’.
Informal
‘The worst insult you can use in Wageningen has nothing to do with wishing a disease on someone or blaspheming; it is using the formal Dutch ‘u’ (you). In the rest of the Netherlands, it is used to politely address a person, but here, it is considered aloof and ultra-formal. In Wageningen, you will hear everyone use the informal ‘je’ to address teachers, the rector magnificus and even the mayor!’ (LZ)
5 May
‘Friends studying in other cities sometimes ask me what Wageningen has to offer in terms of activities. I don’t invite them often, because they think it is boring here except on 5 May. That is when I invite everyone to come because Liberation Day is not celebrated as abundantly anywhere as in the city where the liberation was signed. It is one big party, and the whole city is involved. There are stages with a variety of music styles, people of all ages enjoying themselves, parties everywhere, veteran’s parade, and the freedom fire on the 5 Mei square. It is a unique festivity, which is typically Wageningen.’ (MK)
Do not keep walking
‘Cycling or hiking with Wageningers can be quite frustrating. At least if you value the activity as such. Many Wageningers have the annoying habit of diving into the grass in the middle of the tour to admire a bird, fly or plant they absolutely must identify.’ (LZ)
Chilling with cows
‘Chilling on the banks of the Rhine is a typically Wageningen activity. You just follow the path along the concrete plant in the harbour until you see ‘de Wolfswaard’ on your left: a mansion with a lush garden. Through the gate
you can wander at your leisure along the flood plains until you find a suitable spot along the water. Bring snacks and beverages, throw down your blanket and…relax.’
‘Beware though, everyone is free to wander, including the cows that inhabit the area, so watch out for cow pats when you search for a spot. The cows may also be overly bold and sometimes even chase humans off their favourite grassy spots. Should a cow come too close, it is best to remain calm. Cows do not react well to panic.’ (IB)
Familiar faces
‘While you may remain anonymous in many larger student cities, there is no such thing in Wageningen. Although it is always relatively quiet in the city centre compared to, for example, Utrecht, you almost always run into familiar faces. The other day, I walked through the centre while making a phone call, and I had to interrupt no less than five times to greet friends. This has advantages and drawbacks. Of course, it is pleasant, but it can sometimes be nice not to run into acquaintances when grocery shopping. Another frequently heard complaint is that Tindering is difficult because you know everyone, and everyone knows you.’ (MK)
Soil drilling
‘At the soil drilling championships – an annual event is organised by Pyrus, the Study Association for Soil, Water and Atmosphere – championships revolve around which team can drill a 1.20-metre hole in the ground fastest, and some one thousand participants from all over the Netherlands come to the field near Haarweg in Wageningen to attend the event, which also has a barbecue, beer and music. There is a prize for the fastest team and one for the team with the best outfits. A unique piece of Wageningen cultural heritage.’ (LZ)
Barefoot nation
‘Wageningen students wear some unusual footwear. You may see students walking around in wooden clogs or even barefoot. The first time I ran into the barefoot nation was in the Forum first-floor restaurant. With no footwear, the brave students walked through the restaurant, and, perhaps most shocking, no one seemed to care. After so many years in Wageningen, I have become accustomed to the type of Wageningers who are so eager to be connected to the earth that soles are forbidden.’
‘The market in the town centre is also a favourite gathering spot for the footwearchallenged among us. There, you see those who would prefer to be shoeless but wear ‘barefoot shoes’ to avoid awkward stares. These shoes follow your foot’s natural curves, have thin soles and enable you to feel the earth without developing a thick layer of callouses.’ (IB)
Wageningen Championships worm charming
‘Here, teams employ unusual methods to coax as many worms as possible out of the ground.’ (LZ)
The worm charming scene is best described as seeing is believing.
