What is the AID?
The preparations for the AID of 2025 have officially started! From the 15th to the 20th of August the Annual Introduction Days in Wageningen will take place, full of exiting activities, making connections with fellow students and getting to know the university and the city of Wageningen.
Are you starting a study at Wageningen University and Research or Aeres Hogeschool? Then the Annual Introduction Days (AID) are a great way to start your student life in Wageningen. During the AID you will get to know the city like the back of your hand and learn what being a student in Wageningen is really like. The week is filled with activities to get to know new people, your study program and all the associations that Wageningen has to offer.
Every year approximately 95% of new students participate in the AID. You will join an AID group of around 10 students (Dutch and international), accompanied by 2 student mentors (your AID ‘mom and dad’). Together you will go to the different activities, visit student associations and receive all kinds of useful information about your study and the city of Wageningen all while having the most fun packed together in six days. Many groups keep in touch after the AID so there is a definite opportunity to making life-long friends.
The AID includes a study day in which you will get to know your fellow classmates and receive a lot of information that you will need in your first view weeks but also the rest of the year. You can also release all your left-over energy at the sports day, where you can try different kind of sports that Wageningen has to offer and maybe find a sport association to join. Nothing is mandatory during the AID so you and your group can decide on what things to join so everybody has the introduction week of a lifetime.
The AID is for many students a great and unforgettable week and look back to a fun time where friends were made so we recommend every new coming student in Wageningen to join the AID. Keep in mind that if you are becoming a member of a student association after you find your place during the AID that you will also have to join their introduction week, which will take place after the AID.
Bachelor student
Are you starting your bachelor study this September at Wageningen University and want to join the Annual Introduction Days here is what to expect. You will be placed with fellow bachelor students in a group with at least one other person that is starting the same study as you. This way you will get to know people with different interests but also already know someone with who you can go to the first lectures together. During the study day you will get to know even more fellow study buddies but the rest of the days you will spent with you AID group. Your AID ‘parents’ will guide you through Wageningen and show you what being a student is like at Wageningen University all while joining the different activities that are organized throughout the week.
The groups will consist of international and Dutch students all mixed together, but as an international student you will be placed with at least two other non-Dutch persons in your group.
Master student
Are you arriving in Wageningen to start a master’s program? Then join the Annual Introduction Days so you receive a warm welcome in the student town of Wageningen. The AID is for both bachelor and master students and there is no difference in activities so you can have the same amount of fun as all the younger students.
You will be placed in a group with at least one other person that is starting the same program as you and during the Study Day you will get to know even more of your fellow students. Your AID ‘parents will show all the things that Wageningen has to offer and together you can join all the activities that are organized during the AID.
Exchange
As an exchange student you can also join the AID to get a feeling on where you are going to life for time you are staying in Wageningen. You will be placed in a group together with at least one other exchange student and during the study day you will meet more exchange students and learn more about the WUR. The rest of the program is the same for all participants so you will not miss a thing. In case you are a Dutch student that is only doing their minor in Wageningen the same applies.
Neurodiverse groups
Everybody deserves a great time when exploring new places so during the AID it is possible to join a AID group that consists of people for which the AID might be overwhelming or need a bit more time to talk about your needs or require more time to process stimuli. We want everybody to feel included, heard and we want to ensure that everybody has a safe space during the introduction days. So if you feel like this might be something you would like than join a neurodiverse group.
In case you are overwhelmed and want a bit of quiet time then you can always go a room in Forum, which is on campus, and is reserved for this reason.
See you at the AID!
Registrations will open later this spring but in case you have any questions you can contact us by email: info.aid@wur.nl or call: +31 317484200
