This January was one of the coldest ones in Bratislava in recent years. Temperatures were falling under -10° C and snowmen could be built for more than six weeks – there was a lot of building materials. We were happy that more than 40 Erasmus students made a decision to stay in Bratislava for another semester, despite this very cold weather. However a wave of newly incoming Erasmus students has arrived, what had only one meaning: WELCOME WEEKEND!
Friday, 10th of February, was designated to be the Welcome Day. Exceptionally, we moved the programme from Aula to a lecture room in the New building so we could make a sightseeing of our “euba” without going in the cold weather. Our ESNers gave to Erasmus students all papers, ISICs, ESN cards and a lot of other necessary “equipment” for their study stay. An opening speeche during the official programme had, among the others, also our section president Danka Kordovaníková who welcomed Erasmus students on our University and presented them what is waiting for them this semester. To be sure the Slovak kitchen will not be missed, we prepared Slovak Dinner on Friday evening where halušky, pirohy and Slovak wine and beer have been served.
To make the digestion easier, the Saturday afternoon had an activity that asked from our Erasmus to be very fast – City Tour Challenge! The rules were simple: take a selfie of your group in front of ten historical monuments or buildings in Bratislava as fast as possible. More than 30 Erasmus formed four groups to compete for the first prize. It has taken 47 minutes to the winner to come successfully on the last point – the Bratislava Castle where they received their sweet prize – the Marlenka cake. Glory to winners, honour to the defeated ones – everybody received a candy, Horalka or Mila. To conclude the second day, a party took place on the Boat – it means a lot of music, dancing and fun!
Even the God had a rest on Sunday. To chill after the crazy Saturday we have taken our Erasmus students on ice skating to the Ice Hockey Stadium of Ondrej Nepela. The cost of the party the day before – only a few Erasmus have come, but it did not stop us to enjoy the Sunday’s afternoon. We could introduce our Erasmus to the Slovak culture of ice hockey – the most popular sport in Slovakia. We hope to take our friends on a preparation match before the World Championship in April so they can feel the real spirit of a Slovak fan.
The last day of the Welcome Weekend, it was the famous BARathon, organised every first Monday of a semester by the ESN EU, and with an amazing after-party. To make it even more interesting and funny, every group had a list of tasks to perform during the BARathon. Build a human pyramid of at least six people? Ask a stranger to buy you a beer? Take a picture with an animal? Yes, these ones and even more! All groups were making their best to carry out all the tasks, but only one has succeeded. What did they win? A good feeling of benefiting from every minute, every second of the first weekend of their Erasmus stay. Not just the winner team, but everybody. Erasmus is a unique time in life of every student. And we are proud to contribute to it.
We would like express our gratitude to all our awesome Erasmus friends who have participated on the activities of the Welcome Weekend, as well as to all our ESNers and volunteers who helped us to prepare everything. It was great!
Written by Marián Polášek, section PR Manager