Issue 3 All Around The World

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2014/2015 - Issue 3

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All around the world

Stereotypes Humans of IBCom international food in Rotterdam 1

Editorial Dear fellow IBCoMmers, 2015 began with smiles and tears and with the hope that the upcoming year will be as amazing as the last. As the temperature drops in The Netherlands, our moods are hopefully improving with the beginning of Term 3 and what is hopefully a quick return to warmer weather. In regards to weather, The Netherlands is not as lucky as some parts of the world since other places such as Australia, areas in South America and Africa are blessed with the sun and warmth. We here at the IBCoMagazine have therefore decided it’s time to take a tour around the world and get your minds off of our beloved, rainy Holland.

When taking a tour of the world there are some very important rules we need to set. First of all, stereotypes are not really allowed.

We have figured out that stereotypes might not actually be that accurate and need to be debunked. Read more about what kind of stereotypes IBCoMmers have outlined about other countries on page 4. Second of all, before going to a new country, it is probably best to learn a little about the language you will face there. We offer a very useful, if I may say so, guide to phrases you may need in other countries (p. 27).

Funnily enough, taking a tour around the world may lead us straight back to The Netherlands. Why? The Netherlands has quite a few immigrants under its umbrella, which actually makes this country pretty international.

Why, even our own Rotterdam is more international than you think. Read more about Rotterdam and its culture on page 11. The best thing about having foreign cultures in your own city is obviously the food. Therefore we thought you might enjoy a guide outlining the best international restaurants in Rotterdam (p. 20). Hard working students need amazing food.

Once again the IBCoMagazine team has worked hard to prepare an interesting issue for you guys. In this time of rain and snow (will Holland ever make up its mind regarding the weather?!), its nice to sit back with some hot chocolate and enjoy another issue of the IBCoMagazine. Hopefully this issue can whisk you away and take you on a trip around the world.

Natasha SchĂśn

Managing Editor, IBCoMagazine 2014-2015

Credits

Editor-in-Chief Roos Haverman Managing Editor Natasha Schoen Copy Editor Rhea Vernon Art Director Akef Ibrahimi Advisory Team Emma Hamilton

Brenda Grashoff

Johannes von Engelhardt Gaffar Rampage

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Writers Nabila Hisbaron Haylee Kelsall Yvette Hogenelst

Stijn van Venrooij Ilse Zwaan

Annabel van Gestel Alexandra Medvedskaya Denise Vollebergh

Content 4 Stereotypes Rotterdam’s Culture For Dummies 7

8 Media Highlights Interview With IBCoM Alumni 10

12 The Internship Carnaval 14 16 Interview With Pridmore Home Is Where The Heart Is 18 20 International Food In Rotterdam Social Events Calendar 23 24 The Interview: Etienne. Haylee. Simone.

International Language Dictionary 27 29 From Rigs To Rags: Work In The Netherlands humans of ibcom 31 3

Stereotypes Not all Mexicans drink tequila,

some prefer byvodka stijn van venrooij One of the first things we learn at IBCoM is that we should not believe in stereotypes and overgeneralization. But unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that these stereotypical ideas are still existing. IBCoMagazine asked some students to think of stereotypes for other nationalities, and tell us something about their own.

The Netherlands >> USA Americans regard fast food as a proper breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snack and after-gym snack.

Chris: ‘Americans do not eat fast food as much as many people often think. Especially after-gym is ridiculous!’

Everyone in the U.S.A. owns at least one gun.

‘Not true. There are more people who don’t own guns than people who do.’

Americans are afraid of legalization of weed and same-sex marriage.

‘California, where I am from, is very liberal. Weed and gay marriage is supported by a lot of people over there, but I’d say it varies by state. The South, Texas and Alabama for example, is stereotyped to be very conservative, the West and North, like Washington and Minnesota, are seen as liberal.’

Americans are very loud.

‘I guess we are louder than some other cultures, we love to yell. People from American countries are typically louder, I’d say.’

Racism is an everyday issue in the U.S.A.

‘True, racism is an issue quite a lot. Because of the states being so diverse, dealing with people with different cultural backgrounds is an everyday thing. Americans are pretty expressive, so they like to point out these differences verbally.’

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USA >> Germany Germans drink a lot of beer. Like, a lot.

Lennart: ‘I agree that the beer culture in Germany is extraordinary. Basically every town, as small as it may be, has an own brewery. And yes, along with it comes a lot of drinking.’

Germans are really social.

‘As a German myself I can’t really tell. I perceive Germans to be very closed up towards foreigners, when I am in Germany. This is, in my eyes, mainly because not too many Germans speak English properly.’

Germans rely on statistics for everything.

‘I think that is true. At least for myself, I agree. For example, whenever I consider watching a movie, I look it up on IMDB. If it has a rating of lower than 7, I will generally not watch the movie.’

Germans are really super organized, sometimes even too organized.

‘I personally do not feel like I am very organized, but in comparison to other cultures I guess I am.’

Germany >> Mexico Mexicans drink a lot of tequila.

Karen: ‘Not completely true. Yes, Mexicans drink tequila as it is the alcoholic beverage that Mexico produces.

But about 50% of the people don’t like it or find it too strong. They prefer vodka. The only time that tequila can’t be missed is on the celebration of the independence day.’

Mexicans usually sit around, play banjo, and ride on their donkeys, while pulling of a sombrero.

‘First of all, the banjo is Argentinian, not Mexican. We have cars, people wear normal clothes and use normal vehicles for transportation. This is one of the most racist stereotypes.’

Mexico is one huge desert.

‘Totally untrue. Mexico is one of the most diverse countries in the world when it comes to nature. Forests, jungles, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, beaches, and yes, deserts as well. Also, Mexico isn’t a third world country anymore, as a lot of people still think.’

Mexicans would be Walter White's best customers.

‘Who is Walter White?’

Mexican police are corrupt.

‘Unfortunately, this is true. I think it’s because police men are paid very little, so they found a way to make more money: by being corrupt. People have initiated this many, many years ago by offering them money whenever they were in trouble. Police men liked it and it’s something that sadly won’t ever stop, I’m afraid.’

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Germans' sleep schedule is going to bed at 10 and waking up at 7.

‘I had to laugh about this one. If you are already working and not a student, this might be applicable. However, as a student I do not go to sleep at 10, but indeed I like to get up as early as possible. Latest 09.30 in the morning.’

Mexico >> The Netherlands Dutch people are always smoking weed, at home, at parties, on the street, everywhere.

Marloes: ‘I guess that every stereotype has some element of truth in it, so to say that no one smokes weed would be wrong. Still, from my own experiences, I can assure you that life in the Netherlands generally doesn’t revolve around smoking that much.’

Dutch people walk around in their wooden shoes all the time.

‘Once you have tried them on you’ll understand why this is not present-day fashion anymore. Seriously, stilettos are way more comfortable than wooden shoes.’

Dutch people are all extremely tall.

‘It’s true that the Dutch are generally tall, but as a utchie myself, I’ll leave it up to others to decide whether this would classify as extreme or not.’

Dutch people are racist.

‘Claiming that all Dutch people are racist would be an overgeneralization, but I also would not say that it is completely untrue. The quite recent discussion on Zwarte Piet shows that there is confusion within society on what racism actually entails. Besides from that, I think that roots have become more of a basis for inequalities than skin color.’

All Dutch people use drugs, and they are extremely free when it comes to sex.

‘I think that this is an image most foreigners get when wandering through Amsterdam, where the most popular ‘tourist attractions’ are coffee shops and the Red Light District. However, when you decide to go on a road trip and end up in other places, you’ll see that Amsterdam is one of the most extreme cases. Once again, stereotypes are based on some truthful elements, but generally highlight and exaggerate some things more than others.

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rotterdam's culture for dummies by natasha schoen

Source: SRS

Did you know that you don’t need to leave Rotterdam to explore the cultures around the world? Rotterdam has a very large population of approximately 619,879 people. The interesting part is that the population comes from roughly 170 different nationalities. All these nationalities have been able to call Rotterdam their home. If you look carefully, you can see the traces of these nationalities scattered around Rotterdam.

The Netherlands has been characterized as one of the most immigrants welcoming countries. For years the traditional immigrant groups in the Netherlands were Turks, Surinamers, Moroccans and Antilleans. The new immigrant groups, such as the Polish for example, bring new relationships between allochtons and autochtons. These relations are highly dependent on the immigrants’ ability for acculturation. Rotterdam has been trying to tackle issues dealing with immigration such as reducing residential segregation, improving social cohesion, or bolster socioeconomic outcomes for immigrants.

The top three non-Dutch cultures in Rotterdam are Surname, Turkey and Morocco. Until 1975, Suriname belonged to the Netherlands. Therefore, the Surinamese population is the second biggest in Rotterdam (after Dutch obviously). Most Surinamese people in Rotterdam have a Dutch passport and the majority of whom have been successfully integrated into Dutch society.

The second largest culture is Turkish. Turkish immigrants first began to settle in the big cities of The Netherlands such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. The Turks came to represent the Dutch image of guest workers.

The third largest culture in Rotterdam is Moroccan. The Moroccans make up 10.4% of the The Netherland’s total population of foreign background. It has been said that Dutch Moroccans tend to make few new contacts from the street and mostly hang out with with members of the same ethnicity. Most of their activities are pretty heavily influenced by Moroccan Culture. Each culture also has at least one restaurant serving their traditional food in Rotterdam, which means we get to eat like kings!

Explore Rotterdam and find out more about the world as you do! For more information about the different cultures in Rotterdam, visit the website www.coloursofrotterdam.weebly.com.

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media highlights by nabila hisbaron The portion of the IBCoMagazine which is dedicated to recounting some major news events that have occurred since the last magazine issue. This edition of Media Highlights is an attempt at giving this particular event the attention it rightly deserves. Not to say Boko Haram was not present in the media, but considering the scale to which this massacre took place, it was underrepresented.

January 7th: The Casted Shadow Occurring on the same day as Charlie Hebdo, Boko Haram invaded two cities and killed an (initial) estimate of 2,000 locals. I felt completely ignorant and guilty for not having known this until two days after, which, in other words, is way too late. It was fascinating to watch how the media handled this horrendous attack, compared to Charlie Hebdo. They both occurred on the same day—talk about a hectic news day! The dialogue going back and forth on the blogosphere, debating Je suis Charlie vs. Boko Haram was engaging and informative. But before jumping onto that issue, which can be elaborated as a whole separate article, we must understand exactly what happened.

Source: EPA

The attacks happened in Baga and Doron Baga of North-Eastern Nigeria. According to Amnesty International, “this was the largest and most destructive yet” of all Boko Haram’s assaults. 3,700 buildings, according to their satellite images, were destroyed and “effectively razed to the ground”. These included “homes, clinics, and schools” as recounted by Daniel Eyre, Nigeria researcher for AI. An immediate effect of this was the 7,000+ refugees that fled from the Eastern shore of Lake Chad to the West end, according to UN refugee agency. Boko Haram was previously known for capturing and enslaving 276 Nigerian girls, prompting international solidarity and outrage. Thus, the worldwide social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls was trending.

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I am going to prompt the ever-so appropriate question: Why didn’t the world care about Boko Haram this time around? As previously mentioned, this was their worst attack in Nigeria, yet, when comparing this event to #BringBackOurGirls (factually, a fraction of the casualties of January 7thand this is completely appropriate.

Source: Huffington Post

It is not to say that one event was significantly more worthy of our solidarity, or time, than the other. To refer to the endless debates on whether our attention should be dedicated to Je Suis Charlie or Boko Haram, I say – both!

These stories can coexist next to each other, without jeopardizing the other’s worth. Each deserve to mourn. Of course, some critics fairly point out that an attack in an unknown region in Nigeria is less relevant than Paris, a world-famous city. Thus, this could explain why people poured their energy into one cause over the other.

But whether someone decides to read one article over another is a personal choice – the bigger problem is about available resources. When more than 2,000 lives are overlooked by the newsmakers because it is perhaps irrelevant to mainstream Western media, you start to think whether some lives are valued more over others. This is frustrating, to say the least. You can personally count on TIME, Huffington ), no one turned their heads. My Facebook feed was flooded with Je suis Charlie’s – Post, or any other well-known news outlet on whether the two stories of January 7th, at least got a similar article count. If the news is meant to report breaking stories, then it should have reported Boko Haram with greater vigor than what is sadly present.

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Interview with ibcom alumni by roos haverman Meet Jamilla de Jonge, a girl who graduated from IBCoM last year. After a dynamic IBCoM career full of learning, travelling, and new experiences, she emigrated to Australia and started a life there.

Curious of what she’s up to and what she learnt from IBCoM? Quicky read on!

Hi Jamilla, could you introduce yourself?

Hi Roos! Well, I was born and raised in Zeeland, the south-west of the Netherlands. Through all the travels I have been on with my family and friends, I learned to appreciate language and culture from a young age. I was probably 10 years old when I first thought: “I am going to live abroad when I grow up!” After high school taking a year off to live in different countries seemed like the right thing to do, so I decided to attend a language school in Sydney, Australia for three months and five months in a small coastal town in Costa Rica. During my time abroad I had to think about what I would do next. Thanks to my experience with the international language school, I knew I wanted to study in an international environment once again.

“You don’t have to love every experience.

Sometimes you learn more from the ones you don’t like!”

Why did you choose IBCoM when you started university?

In high school I was already interested in media and communication. And since I have always been set on moving abroad, studying in English was a must.

What has happened after you graduated from IBCoM? I moved to Sydney, Australia! I went on exchange there because I love the country and I could see myself living there, especially after my first experience living there during my gap-year. Lucky for me, I met my Australian boyfriend while on exchange, so after finishing IBCoM I couldn’t wait to go back. I applied for the Executive Master of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney, so hopefully I can start in March with this exciting new Master degree. IBCoM has given me a great background in social sciences, and I want to use my knowledge in a leadership role to try to make a difference in the world.

What kind of job/internship do you have at the moment and what does your role involve?

I am still going to pursue postgraduate studies, as I don’t feel quite ready yet to start my career. IBCoM is very broad and gives you an insight in many different fields, but finding out exactly what you want to do can still be very difficult. I just try to get as many different experiences as I can and learn from them. I had an internship a couple of months ago that turned out to be absolutely not what I wanted, so I quit. I analyzed why I didn’t like it and what kind of position I would rather have.

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Would you recommend living abroad after your graduation?

Obviously! I love Australia and I am so grateful for the opportunity to build a life here. That being said, starting a new life far away from your family is not easy and emigration is expensive. But of course the international IBCoM students already know that! Even if you are not planning on staying forever, I would definitely recommend living abroad for awhile. Go on exchange, do an internship abroad, study a Masters degree or get a job in a different country after graduation. It enriches your life in so many ways.

How has IBCoM prepared you for “the real life”?

IBCoM has made me aware of all the powerful forces that are influencing the world we live in. Thanks to my university education I can see things from a new perspective, so I would say that it has changed how I see the world and “real life”. I think IBCoM and studying social sciences in general has taught me the vocabulary to actively participate in debates about social issues that effect us all. I am very interested in social justice and environmental sustainability and I think the media and global communication will play a huge role in making changes for the better.

Did being an IBCoM alumni help you stand out in the job market?

Most people have no idea what it is, but when I explain the program they are often very interested in it. IBCoM is still relatively new and I think that makes the things we learn more current and relevant than more established programs that may not have changed much in years. The world is changing very fast and we have to be prepared to change with it.

What are the highlight(s) of the IBCoM programs in your opinion?

I loved the tight IBCoM community. Larger universities abroad have many different communication- or mediarelated majors in one faculty, and everyone takes a combination of different courses. Having all IBCoM courses specifically designed for you means that you are only taking them with other IBCoM students, so almost everyone knows each other! I also really appreciated the room for discussion in the tutorial groups.

What advice can you give to the current batch of IBCoM students?

Enjoy it while it lasts! Three years is a very short time, so make the most of it. Use the opportunities presented to you. Finding out what kind of career you want after IBCoM can be difficult, but this is the best time to experiment.

Could you describe IBCoM in three words?

Incredible international community!

“Thanks to what I learned in IBCoM, I feel empowered to be an active agent for change through media and communication.”

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the internship by yvette hogenelst Getting anxious feelings of hearing your fellow students talking about their internships while you are still spending your Sunday afternoons browsing the endless caverns of the web, searching for your dream vacancy? Having nightmares about licking stamps all day long? Sweating bullets when even thinking about that interview? Worry no more. IBCoMagazine will save the day and accompany you up and until your first day.

Try to personalize your letter by for instance starting with an anecdote (NOTE, be careful, anecdotes about The internship journey has taken off. You have no clue your cute pet of coolest party adventure are not very where to start and what to look for. How do you go from appropriate here) zero to 100?

Stage 1 - Finding an internship

1. Get a clear picture of what you want. It’s hard to find something when you don’t know what you are looking for. Decide which sector you want to work in and for which kind of company’s you would like to intern. Make sure you can answer the following question: What are you looking for in an internship?

2. Make sure your motivation letter fits the internship description. This might sound logical but can easily be forgotten while writing the letter.

3. Streamline your CV. Keep it simple, use a reversed chronology when listing your experiences, provide a short description of what you did at which company and most importantly; be honest. Do not forget to 2. Network. Contact your family, friends, and relatives include a section with your personal details. Considand let them know that you are looking for an internship. er writing down which courses you have taken so far.

You never know; maybe the BFF of the new wife of your Also, it is helpful to save your CV as pdf. in Word, the grandnephew turns out to be Rupert Murdoch. layout of your CV may shift, depending on the employers Word version.

3. Browse the web. Websites such as mediastages.nl offer internships at various media companies. Also, do not for4. Check Check Double Check. Double check both get to check out the M&C career services page and subyour CV and letter for spelling and grammar mistakes. scribe to the IBCoM Internship channel on Sinonline.

Let some other people read over it too.

4. Update your LinkedIn Page. Make sure your profile is 5. If you decided to go for an open application, use your up to date and also state you are looking for an internbest stalking skills and try to find the (contact details ship. of) the employee who is responsible for recruitment.

Addressing the right person will increase your chances 5. Cannot find your dream vacancy? Nothing prevents of getting a response. you from writing an open application.

Stage 2: The application

6. Call the company before sending in your application.

It’s always good if the recruiter talked to you before.

You have found an appealing vacancy or decided to go for an open application. However, your CV has not been updated in ages and all the motivations letters you have 7. Follow up. Make sure that you know your application written so far sound way too cheesy. How will you make is received. Following up will also show that you are resure you will stand out and get invited for that interally interested in the position. view?

8. Do not give up. It’s unlikely that you will be hired at 1. Personalize your letter. Sentences like; I’m writing to your first application. Sometimes you will not even reexpress my interest in the position of.... May be an easy ceive a reply. Just try again elsewhere; you will get there. way of starting your motivation letter, but will not make you stand out amongst the other 100 letters.

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Good job, apparently our tips really helped. You are excited but also slightly nervous, how can you make a good impression?

1. Prepare. In general, people do not spend enough time preparing for their interview. Read about the company; make sure you know everything about them. Imagine what kind of question they will ask you and try to make up answers for these questions. Why are you the intern they should hire? It might be akward, but practice your elevator pitch for the mirror, your cat, or force your roommate to listen.

Source: ESHCC

Stage 3: The interview

Stage 4: Your first day

Congratulations! You fought your way through the first 3 steps and can finally call yourself an intern. With your first day approaching you start to realize that things are getting serious. Doom scenarios go through your mind; spilling coffee over the white shirt of your boss or making your new iMac crash. How to act on you first day?

2. Take the right materials with you. Bring copies of . your CV and pen and paper with you.

1. Ask. There are no stupid questions (okay that is lie), but really, if you do not understand something, just ask.

3. Look appropriate. If you do not know what kind of You cannot know everything in one day. Do not be too dress code the company has, go for safe and put on for- hard on yourself. mal clothes. For girls, leave your creative make-up art for Friday nights and put on some neutral make-up. 2. Take notes. Writing down important information will Also get an impressions of what the dress-code at the never hurt. company is like.

3. Be there early. You might not have taken the route in 4. Smell appropriate. Putting on too much perfume is a the rush-hour before and you definitely do not want to be no-go. Really think about if you want to wear a perfume late. Before you know it you loose your keys, have a flat at all; the interviewer might have an evil ex boy- or girl- tire or miss the tram. Okay a bit pessimistic, but rememfriend that used to wear to same fragrance. This howev- ber it’s better to leave a bit early. er does not mean that you can go in there smelling like you have not showered in 3 weeks.

4. Bring food. If you’re unsure about how lunch works at the company make sure you bring some of your own 5. Relax. The recruiter is not going to eat you (start wor- food. Do not starve to death. rying only when you find out he did not have a breakfast).The worst scenario is that you do not get the in- 5. If you do get invited for lunch; go. It’s important to ternship. Still thousands of vacancies left. socialize with your co-workers.

Source: Metal Sucks

6. Again; follow up. Send the company an email, thank- 6. Introduce yourself. Don’t be shy, they hired you for a ing them for their time. People like other nice people. reason :)

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carnaval utterly idiotic or absolutely amazing by annabel van gestel Last issue, I wrote about how Christmas is celebrated all over the world and I called it, as many people do, “The most wonderful time of the year”. However, I must admit that to me, there’s one time of the year that’s even more valuable: Carnaval. Every year, in February or March, Carnaval is celebrated in the south of the Netherlands. For five days, time stands still in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg and people forget all about their worries. Concerning the title of this article, I think Carnaval is absolutely amazing but I’m sure there’re many people who think it’s the former. Before I tell you what makes Carnaval so much fun to me, I’ll tell you some interesting things about the history and customs.

The Dutch Carnaval originally is a catholic festivity, which is celebrated in the three days preceding Aswoensdag (Ash Wednesday), the first day that people fast for a period of 40 days until Easter. Traditionally, Carnaval lasts from Sunday until Tuesday night. The word Carnaval most probably owes its origin to the latin expression carne vale, which more or less translates to “farewell to meat”. It therefore started as an eating party where people had the last opportunity to go wild on all sorts of food before having to live on the absolute minimum for 40 days.

In the meantime, Carnaval has unofficially been extended from Friday (or Thursday, for the real diehards) to Wednesday night and the fasting period is a little outdated by now as well. Luckily, the part with the festivities remained over the centuries. The kickoff of Carnaval season is on 11 November (11/11) at 11:11hrs. The reason for this date and time is that the number 11 traditionally is the number of fools. From this day on until the actual start of Carnaval, several festivities are organized throughout the Carnaval-celebrating regions. Each year on 11/11, in every town that celebrates Carnaval, Prince Carnaval is elected. On Sunday, at the official start of Carnaval, the mayor symbolically hands over the key of the town to Prince Carnaval so that he rules the city for the next 3 days.

Source: AD

Another custom of Carnaval is the Carnaval parade that’s held in many towns. The parade consists of floats that go around town with people dancing on and around them, usually surrounding a certain theme. These floats are built

by Carnaval associations, which generally consist of people who breathe Carnaval all year long, so to say. These floats are often accompanied by so-called “dweilorkesten”, small bands that play festive music.

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During Carnaval, especially in the province of Noord-Brabant, towns and cities change their names as well. For example, Tilburg changes to Kruikestad, Breda to Kielegat, Eindhoven to Lampegat and ‘s-Hertogenbosch to Oeteldonk. A very important element of Carnaval is the dressing up part. Centuries ago, the basic thought was that during Carnaval, everyone was equal: the slave became the master and the master the slave.

Wearing costumes, people mocked the status quo, saying it didn’t matter who or what you were because everybody was equal. Nowadays, it’s not so much a matter of creating equality, it’s more about just finding a fun and original costume that makes you look ridiculous. In this sense, it does create equality because no matter how you look, people accept it because the more ridiculous, the better.

To me, Carnaval is fun for many reasons. Of course, who doesn’t like to dress up, act crazy and be another person for a little while? It’s a great way to escape from your worries and responsibilities for just a few days. Something else I really like about Carnaval is that everything is possible and everyone is happy. It’s just so hard not to be happy during Carnaval. This atmosphere where everybody is your friend and there’s not a single worry in the world is just amazing. Also, I’m from a pretty small town where throughout the year there’s just not much to do for people my age. BUT, during Carnaval, the whole town pulls out to party together and even the smallest towns become the best places to go out. It’s also the only time of the year that it’s actually OK to be in the same bar as your parents.

Carnaval is for everybody. I can’t deny that the essence of Carnaval being the start of fasting period has mostly disappeared and that for many people it’s just a good reason to be drunk 24/7 for five days. But I definitely think that besides the drinking part it’s also a festivity that reminds us that it’s good to let out the craziness inside of us every once in a while and just celebrate.

Carnaval, you either hate it, or you love it, but I’m convinced that has to be in your blood to be able to truly appreciate it. However, don’t hesitate to prove me wrong and come experience Carnaval yourself in Kielegat, Kruikestad, Oeteldonk or one of the many other towns and cities where it’s celebrated this very weekend!

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interview with

jason pridmore

by Johannes von engelhardt To get to know our IBCoM lecturers a bit better, IBCoMagazine regularly asks staff members to interview other staff members. This time, PhD candidate/lecturer Johannes von Engelhardt sat down with Jason Pridmore – Assistant Professor – and talked with him about being a student, being a construction worker and chocolate cake.

(Johannes) Back in the day, what did you study?

And was it what you had expected?

(Jason)Once upon a time – like since I was 5 – I wanted to be a doctor.

You know, like an actual medical doctor not like one of those assistant professors that may be called doctor but do so just to show how smart they are (speaking of which, I think I want people to call me Dr. Pridmore now). Then I went off to university and took biology and chemistry at the same time, complete with labs which took up all my time. I quickly got stressed out with work and did not find it exciting at all! It was not long after that when I took my first sociology course - it opened up a whole new world for me and forced me to think differently about so many things I had taken for granted. I was hooked, and I started thinking sociologically about everything. My first focus was on religion, specifically the Christian faith which I was a part of, but then it turned more towards media for my Master’s degree and then consumption and surveillance while doing my PhD. But I have always focused on a sociological approach. And as to your second question, no, a sociological approach seems to always focus you on finding the unexpected, so while some of my work is expected, much of it is about the unexpected, especially when it comes to looking at new media and information and communication technologies.

Ever thought about doing/studying something completely different?

Yes, many times - started out that way! Sometimes when I am stuck on something and struggling to pay attention to reading this paper or writing that one, I look out of my new office window and the people building the Polak building between us and the Pavilion and think “wouldn’t that be great!” Mainly this desire has to do with too much sitting and writing in front of a computer everyday, but it also has to do with seeing something physically completed at the end of the day, rather than words on a document most often displayed on a screen. It is the desire to say “I built that” and be able to point at something tangible. Of course, I love teaching and working on research projects too much to every really do this, and so I have settled for doing work around the house to give me this more tangible outlet.

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If you had to name one or two big questions that inform all of your current research, what would those be?

I do actor network theory (ANT) as too many of my students will know. Sometimes they get it (but not always), but they know I am ridiculously enthused by it. So the question that I ask based on this is “how do all of these actors (both human and non-human) come together to produce the world in which we know?” Though this is a big question, for ANT it can only be answered empirically by flattening out all of our presumptions of hierarchy and power and artificial divides between people and technology. And it can only speak to the context in which it is derived from, but I have already gone on more than I should! “How do things fit together?” is an easier way of saying it, especially when we are not taking things for granted.

''Read more you idiot!''

Desert Island. Three things.

I presume that this is like the ban on wishing for more wishes, because the obvious answer is a boat with unlimited fuel, right? So if that is the case, I would want some sort of water filtration system, a survival guide to living on a desert island preferably in English, and people to communicate with. Wait, did you mean Dessert Island? Because in that case I want chocolate cake!

If you could talk to your student self, an advice you would want to give him?

"Read more you idiot!" Can’t believe how stupid I was thinking that I didn’t need to read. "Those profs of yours are not assigning texts just to torture you, well maybe some of them, but man you would be so much farther along and genuinely smarter if you read more!”

Look out for the next issue, where Jason Pridmore will interview Joyce Neys!

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by denise vollebergh

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international food in rotterdam by rhea vernon As we all know, Rotterdam is a very international city with many different cultures from all over the world. Now, I don’t know about you, but one of the great things about experiencing new cultures and going around the world is trying new...FOOD! Yes I said it, the magic word, food! As students, we might not have a lot of money to go around the world and try different foods, but have no fear. Rotterdam is full of loads of restaurants that offer cuisines from all around the world for us to try. Here are the Top 6 Restaurants in Rotterdam that will tickle your tastebuds with food from around the world:

Vapiano is an Italian food chain that has restaurants all over Europe. We are lucky enough to have one in Rotterdam which is very popular and serves delicious food.

At Vapiano they offer pizza, pasta, salads and antipasta’s as well as a range of delicious desserts. The great thing about Vapiano is that you can choose your pasta and watch it being made right in front of you at the counter.

You can choose from a range of different pasta shapes and sizes, as well as a range of sauces and toppings which you can change to suite you (how cool is that!). They offer great Italian food and at a very reasonable price, but it does get very busy in Vapiano (especially on the weekends), so make sure to get down their early and ‘Bon Appetito’ as the Italians say.

Price range

Price Range €6,- to €10,-

Lunch from 12:00 €18.50 Dinner from 17:00 €25.50 Mon-Wed

€26.50 Thu-Sat

Next stop: Japan, where we land at Sumo, the all you can eat sushi restaurant. As a sushi lover, Sumo is a personal favourite of mine. Myself and my roommates always like to go here as a treat and it’s a great place to go with friends. Their all you can eat system is very simple; each table gets a card with numbers on and each number is an item of food which you can look up on the menu. You then have 5 ‘rounds’ to indulge in the delicious sushi, and per round each person can order up to 5 dishes, now you work out the math... That’s a lot of sushi! I always enjoy eating here as there is a wide variety of dishes, and even if you aren’t really into fish or sushi, there is also lots of other dishes available. Unfortunately Sumo is a bit on the pricey side but it’s definitely worth it to treat yourself and indulge once in a while.

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Vietnamese food is very popular in Rotterdam, and Little V is the best place for it. They serve traditional Vietnamese dishes such as meat and fish stir-fry’s, ‘Pho’ and many more. They also offer a creative DIY menu for two people in which you can roll your own ‘rijstevelrolletjes’.

In Little V, the atmosphere is very cosy and you get a true Vietnamese dining experience. A little fact: Vietnamese food is considered one of the most healthy in the world, so why not try some today at Little V?

Price Range Mon - Wed €19.50 Fri - Sat €21.50

Price Range €10,- to €25,If ever you are craving Mexican food head on down to Amigo which features all you can eat Mexican dishes. They too like Sumo have a card system where you participate in rounds and try out the Mexican food on offer. The food ranges from nachos to chilli and much more. The restaurants also feature authentic Mexican interior with paintings and decorations, which make you feel as if you have been transported to Mexico. Mexican food is great to share with friends, and to experience all the flavours and spices that they use. Their restaurants are located in Kralingen and the city centre.

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Have you ever wanted to experience African food? Well, now you can right in the heart of Rotterdam. De Smaak Van Afrika is relatively new in Rotterdam, and has recently expanded to its second restaurant called ‘Viva Afrika’. The menu offers a wide range of foods, from West African dishes to East African Dishes, all at very reasonable prices. At De Smaak Van Afrika you get to experience true African culture. Many of the dishes don’t come with cutlery, so you can eat with your hands or use African bread to scoop up the food, which allows you to get a hands on experience into the African food culture.

Price Range €10,- to €20,Price Range €10,- to €21,Bazaar is one of the most popular restaurants in Rotterdam, located on the popular Witte de Withstraat. One of the most striking things about this restaurants is the amazing décor inside, as it is full of beautiful Moroccan lamps in all different shapes, sizes and colours. Bazaar offers Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food such as kebabs, baklava, falafel and much more, as the menu leaves you spoilt for choice. This is also a great place to eat in a large group, as you can share lots of dishes and try the variety of Middle Eastern food available. There is a wide range of meat and fish kebabs as well as lots of interesting desserts so you are sure to find something you like: trust me, you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t been here yet I urge you to go and check out the magical Bazar.

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by alexandra medvedskaya

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the interview etienne. haylee. simone.

Etienne to Haylee: Congratulations! You did great in International and Global Communication (IGC, BA2) and

got the award for Spartan of the Year 2014 (Highest scoring student). I am very curious about why you came all the way from New Zealand to IBCoM and how it fits in your plan? Could you tell us why you came to Erasmus and what you intend to do in the future?

Thanks! I left the southern hemisphere several years ago, after moving back and forth several times between Australia and New Zealand. After twenty odd years Middle Earth got pretty boring - the beautiful scenery all starts to look the same and you take the warm weather and visits to pristine beaches for granted. Eventually I decided I wanted to get out and explore the world, so I packed my bags and moved to Europe with the plan to work and travel. I lived in the Netherlands for over a year before starting IBCoM, and prior to that I spent three years working in the UK. I just decided that it was time to enroll in higher education and started assessing my options in Europe. I always wanted to pursue a career in journalism, yet made the decision to first gain a more theoretical understanding of the media and communication field before diving into a specific program targeted at developing journalistic competencies. With the UK and Ireland ruled out due to their (extremely) high tuition fees, I started looking at continental Europe, and stumbled across the IBCoM program here in Rotterdam - the closest city to the village I was living in at the time! I attended an open day, and pretty much decided on the spot that this was the course and indeed the university that I wanted to attend. In the future I plan to follow a Masters program in journalism on my

Hayley to Etienne: Two of your interest areas are Public Diplomacy and Film Studies, which for many of us may seem an unlikely combination! Could you explain how you became interested in each of these areas and perhaps how they compliment each other?

For me, it is quite simple. Everything I study is about stories. When it comes to film studies, I don't think I need to explain. About Public diplomacy, it is also about stories, how some people can become attracted to countries because they want to be part of a story. I have traveled quite a lot before settling in the Netherlands and most of the time, I was attracted to countries because of their stories, especially Great-Britain and California.

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What I am trying to understand in my research is how you can develop stories to attract people, but also how you can prevent yourself from certain sirens. I use a lot of movies when I teach and train in Public diplomacy. Also, I study films partly because of their influence and how they can draw people to mythologies. Hollywood is central in my research, but also pure propaganda cinemas. This will also be complimentary to my work in Public diplomacy and Film studies. I am passionate about stories and PD and Film studies, along with literature, my primary interest, help feed my

Hayley to Simone: Some IBCoM students may not be aware that after completing your Bachelor in Journalism you

followed the Media and Journalism Master program here at Erasmus. When you began the Master did you imagine that you would be teaching today at Erasmus? And what motivated you to follow this particular this particular Masters?

I never envisioned myself becoming part of ‘the Other side’ when I was a student in the Masters program. The first tutorial I taught here was IGC... As you said, I’m trained as a journalist; used to deadlines, being critical, always talking to people and keeping an eye open for news. Not that academia is that different (being a PhD candidate is super rock ‘n roll!), but obviously it’s more formal and ‘official’ in a lot of ways. I enrolled in the Master Media Studies to learn more about media: What kind of effect do(es) media have? As a journalist you write and publish, and sometimes you get feedback from readers, but how they interpret your articles or talk about them... Researching media allows you to study such questions. Plus, I had an official excuse to watch, talk and write a lot about my favourite TV shows and movies. The reason why I chose Erasmus University is because most of the scholars working here (my teachers are now my colleagues!) worked with topics that I found interesting. That’s quite important I think when selecting your next program: go somewhere where you like what they’re – in terms of topics for research & courses – are doing! Enthusiasm is the best motivator for studying!

Etienne to Simone: You have been helping me with IGC for four years now and I thank you very much for that.

Maybe it is time you tell us what you are passionate about?

I remember my first batch of IGC IBCoM-students as if it were yesterday... Now, I won’t get too sentimental.. but that little spark of nostalgia there also pops up in my research, so I tried to make a ‘bridge’ there! I study how postyouth audiences negotiate their roots capital (capital based on the time & place they grew up in) in relation to music from their recent past. To translate that into everyday language; I interview people in their mid-twenties till forties about why they get (or are) sentimental about music from their youth. For instance; why 30-year old men and women are still (allowed to be) fans of the Backstreet Boys, why they attend concerts of popular bands from the ‘90s (5ive, Atomic Kitten etc.) or how they can be a fan of something they were too young to experience (e.g. a band such as Nirvana). So, the lecture that I provide in IGC allows me to share a tiny bit of that passion for fans & storytellers with the IBCoMmunity. Besides research, I’m (obviously) passionate about music, movies and baking (especially when deadlines are approaching)!

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Simone to Etienne: I know you’re a fan of good movies, books, stories... and you have – besides these interest in Film Studies and PD – a great interest in sci-fi. You always argue that we don’t have sci-fi in the Netherlands, are we doomed or is there still hope for us?

Fear not, there is hope! First of all, a new Dutch science fiction TV show, even if it is a comedy, is now released in the Netherlands. Now, we will have to wait a bit to see if it is a success. My big news is I am launching an initiative on Science fiction called CHIFT, standing for Center for Histories of the Future. We will study and stimulate the production of science fiction in the Netherlands and everybody is welcome! So, students, designers, musicians, scientists, researchers, geeks, writers, scholars... are all invited to join CHIFT which will be based in our school but open to everyone. I really hope to develop interest in science fiction so that it is not considered a minor subgenre but a major area where the Dutch can make an important contribution. We will see what the future holds for CHIFT but I am very excited about it and we already have major events planned to kickstart it. So, if you are interested in CHIFT, contact me!

Simone to Haylee: What is the ultimate topic you want to report about as an investigate journalist – and obviously, what lessons from IGC will you remember for that?

Wow, this is such a difficult question to answer! There are so many topics I want to write about... My main interest lies in exposing the wrongs of those in power, be it individuals, groups, organisations, governments.. you name it.

I am passionate about writing (ha!) the wrongs in society and opening the eyes of others to unfamiliar stories and struggles, in the hope that people will become more compassionate and accepting. Ideally, I would write about social issues and injustice, encouraging people to question what they know, and what they think they know by presenting the lesser known or covered sides of stories. Definitely one of the major things I have and will take away from IGC is in relation to PR and Bernays! Being able to spot a potential PR stunt, or at least question certain things and events and recognize the power of PR (that potentially something has been orchestrated to capture the attention of people like myself!) is an invaluable lesson to take away. I don't think I, nor any other IBCoM student, will ever forget the story of Bernays and how he solved the problematic sales of bacon...

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International Language Dictionary for Traveling by alexandra medvedskaya

Now you can easily travel around Europe.

Dutch - In these clogs it is extremely uncomfortable to walk at the Red Light District.

- Het is zo oncomfortabel om in klompen op de wallen te lopen. [het is zo oncomfertábel om in klompen op de wálen te lopen]

German - Do you ever take a break?

- Machen Sie jemals eine Pause? [ Máhen zi jemals áine páuze]

Czech - Do you have children’s beer? No? Then just give me «Kozel».

- Máte dětské pivo? Ne? V tom případě mi dejte obyčejného «Kozla». [míte d’etske pivo? ne? v tom prshipad’e mi dejte obychéjneho kozla]

French

- Why you don’t get fat from eclairs?

- Pourquoi les éclaires ne vous font-ils pas grossir ? [purkwa lez-ekler ne vu fontil' pa grosir]

Spanish - When fiesta is over? I’m tired of having rest.

- Cuándo acabará la fiesta? Estoy cansado de descansar. [kuándo akabará la fjesta? estoj kansádo de deskansár]

Russian

- Could you tell me, on which days Lenin comes to sleep in mausoleum? Would I be eaten by bears on my way there?

- Подскажите, в какие дни Ленин ночует в мавзолее? Меня съедят медведи по дороге туда? [ podskazhýt’e, v kakíje dni L’énin nachújet v mavzol’éje? M’enyá sjedyát m’edv’édi pa daroge tudá]

Portugese - How can I get to the statue of Christ the Redeemer by dancing?

- Сomo dançar até ao monumento de Cristo Redentor? [ komu dansár até aú monuméntu dy Krishtú Retendor]

Italian

- Could you stop gesticulating so actively? You just dropped my plate with pasta!

- La prego smetta di gesticolare in questo modo, ho appena fatto cadere il mio piatto di pasta! [ La prégo zméta di dzhéstikolare in kwesto modo, o apena fáto kadére il’ mio pjato di pasta ]

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St. Valentines Dictionary Its St. Valentine’s Day pretty soon! Why not to impress your beloved one by confessing your love in a foreign language?.

SP

Vas a ver el fútbol conmigo una eternidad? [ vas a ver el’ fútbol’ konmígo úna eternidád] Would you watch football with me forever?

PT Tu és brilhante, mais do que carnaval em Rio-de-Janeiro. [ tu esh bril’ánty, majsh ky karnavál em Rio-de-Janeiro] You are brighter than the carnival in Rio-de-Janeiro.

SE

Låt oss åka och köpa möbler på IKEA tillsammans. [ l’ot os ohka ou sh’opa m’obler po ikea tilsamans ] Let’s choose the furniture in IKEA together.

IT Sei piu dolce della Nutella. [ sei píu dolche délla Nutella ] You are sweeter than Nutella.

NL

Ik zou je alle tulpen van het land geven. [ Ik zau je álle túlpen van het land géven] I would give you all the tulips of the country!

UA Твоє почуття гумору краще, ніж у всій Одеси. [ Tvoje pochutya humoru krasche nizh u vsij Odesy] Your sense of humor is better that in whole Odessa.

RO

Te-aş salva chiar şi de Dracula. [ teash’ salva kiar shi de Dracul’a] I would save you even from Dracula.

TR Marketteki tüm baharatlardan daha ateşlisin. [ márketeki t’um baaratlardán dha át’eshlise ] You are hotter than all the spices on a market.

BG

Ти си по-красива от българска роза. [ ty sy po krasíva ot blgárska roza] You are more beautiful than a Bulgarian rose.

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From Rags to Riches A Quick Guide to Working in the Netherlands by haylee kelsall “Gee, wish I had less money.”

Said no one, ever.

Let’s face it, as students most of us are pretty hard up when it comes to cash flow, and it’s always nice to have a little bit extra to make ends meet. Although the world of employment is pretty straightforward for the Dutch students amongst us to navigate, it gets a bit trickier if you’re from another EU/EEA country, and even more difficult if you’re from outside the EU/EEA. What are you allowed to do? What are your obligations? What are you entitled to? And of course, how can you find work without speaking Dutch?

EU/EEA Students (except Croatia) Good news! If you work for more than 56 hours a month YES you are entitled to study finance. Although the rules are most likely going to change in relation to the study finance package, they will not take effect until September – meaning that if you start working now, you will be entitled to study finance under the current system rather than the new one (for more information check duo.nl). There is a maximum which you are allowed to earn before you must stop your study finance – in 2015 this amount has been set at €13 856.11

Non-EU/EEA and Croatian Students Okay, so it’s not as bright an outlook. For some reason, the Dutch government says our EU peers need to work more than 56 hours alongside their studies each month to get financial aid, yet they say if we work more than 10 hours per week, study is probably not our main purpose for being here. Double standards much? Anyhow, the rules are the rules – you cannot work more than 10 hours per week throughout the entire year OR alternatively you can work full-time in the summer months. Whichever applies to you, your employer must request a work permit for you from UWV. At the first application these take around six weeks to process, and you cannot work until it has been approved. They will need your BSN, a copy of your passport, residence permit and proof of enrolment for the application.

Things to know for everyone Once you start working in the Netherlands, you must take out a Dutch basic insurance package – if you don’t you run the risk of a fine. Having health insurance in your home country, or a European Health Insurance Card, does not mean you are exempt from this rule. A good place to start is AON Student Insurance, they offer a flexible package which you can change to a cheaper policy when you’re not working.

Did you know – you might be entitled to zorgtoeslag? And possibly, depending on your situation even huur-

toeslag? Zorgtoeslag is a monthly rebate from the Belastingdienst (tax office) which helps you meet health insurance payments if you have a low income. Seeing as we’re all incredibly busy with school and have little time for much else, it is likely you’re entitled to this if you’re working. Huurtoeslag is similar, although this is to help meet the costs associated with housing. Huurtoeslag eligibility is a little more complicated than zorgtoeslag, and many students are not eligible due to the type of accommodation they live in, and in addition its cost. It’s worth checking out if you’re entitled though! Both supplements can be applied for online – to do so and to check your eligibility head to www.belastingdienst.nl

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Tips for Job Hunting Ask other internationals where they found work. This might sound obvious, but if an employer has hired students who don’t speak Dutch before, they’ll probably do it again.

Speak more than one language? It may not be the most glamourous line of work, but there are always call centre/ customer service/market research companies looking for staff who speak English plus another language.

Ask around the campus! With such a diverse student population Dutch is not a necessity!

Its cliché, and we’d all rather apply for jobs online these days, but actually walking the streets handing out your CV does still work!

If you want to work in a bar, café or restaurant try the ones you know have a lot of international clientele first – they will be more open to hiring you without speaking Dutch.

Or, even better - is there a bar you always go to? Have you got a favourite restaurant where the staff know your usual order? Ask them!

If you want to work in the summer, there is A LOT of work for internationals, and not only in the tourist areas of Amsterdam! There’s always a lot of advertisements in retail store windows in the summer months looking for extra staff, and not to mention at all the holiday parks around the country. And if that’s not your thing, you could always try the beach clubs which open in Scheveningen for the summer!

If you think a position requires fluent Dutch, think about why, and use this to your advantage! Say for example, you want to work in a cafe - but you know they will expect you to have a decent grasp of the language to chatter with customers and build rapport. If you’ve been learning Dutch, an effective way to approach this would be to say something along the lines of: Although I’m not yet fluent in Dutch, I am taking classes to improve. However, I have found in other positions that customers are always very interested to strike up a conversation with me when they realise it’s not my first language, and this gives an excellent opportunity to build rapport with the customers - something essential in a position such as this!

Don’t give up! Keep at it! It might take some time, but eventually you will find something!

Photo: Ilse Zwaan

Good luck!

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humans of ibcom

by Ilse Zwaan & stijn van venrooij Every student has had a moment of total agony in which they open Facebook to relax. And what is better than the incredibly popular Humans of New York-page to forget your problems? The unique stories of strangers brighten your day and make you realize we all understand each other. But you don't have to go to NY to meet such people: IBCoM has a lot of different and beautiful students, ready to be discovered. So we present to you HOI (Humans of IBCoM – also, 'hello' in Dutch); one story at a time.

Marlijn

“I am really busy with finding an internship. I am struggling because what I am looking for is hard to find.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Brand management or offline marketing. I really want to end up working in this field. One of mydream companies is Heineken. And yesterday I saw my sister I hadn't met up with for a while.Then she told me “Yeah, I have an internship interview tomorrow. At Heineken!” And I was like “You're kidding me. You're stealing my company.” Fortunately, it's another field. But still.”

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Julia

“The greatest thing about IBCoM is... deadlines. Not. I can’t think anymore. I haven’t been able to think since the holidays. I tried to spell out 'generalizability' for a paper. I just went “genera...sh, how does this thing go”, so I just changed it to 'general, dot dot dot'. Okay, if I come up with a better quote I'll send it to you.”

10 minutes later on Whatsapp: “IBCoM ibcomplicates my life right now. It sometimes feels like an ibcomedy and that's ibcomforting to me because I am not ibcomitted to acting normal!” She then sent this picture as what makes IBCoM great is the creativity and the international environment.

Charlotte “I made a scrapbook for my creative assignment, when I applied for exchange to Japan. So I cut out pictures, wrote text, stickers and stuff. I really love the Japanese culture, it’s very different from the rest of the world. And because I want to work in the creative industries, I feel like I should surround myself with a very creative environment, and I think Japan is just outstanding. Everybody’s unique and I think that’s very inspirational. And if I don’t end up going there on exchange, I will still go there anyway!”

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Leontien “He was handing them out at a lecture this morning, and people actually started queuing up. People were standing in line for these stupid things! So that’s the trick: giving people something extra and not just a flyer that most people throw away, so that they think like ‘oh we got a Coca Cola cup from the study trip committee from MAEUR, wow!’”

“So you got some free publicity now.”

“That’s cool! An article in IBCoMagazine! And it’s going to be published even before the extended deadline! So do you guys want a nice Coca Cola cup?”

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Thanks for reading the

Guest contributors: Johannes von Engelhardt etienne auge simone driessen Cover Picture: Marlijn van Raaij

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the next issue will come out on 26/11/2014 Š 2014/2015