From freshers’ nerves to ‘the best week ever’: EL CID begins
Tense faces, nervous glances and lots of excited new students. Thousands of students gather at Lammermarket on Monday morning. EL CID 2026 is about to begin: the introduction week for first-year students in Leiden. It’s a week full of introductions: to each other and the city of Leiden.
Zyra van der Linde from the EL CID board welcomes the students with a personal story about her own EL CID. ‘There I am on 16 August 2021, sitting nervously next to my dad in the car. How am I going to do this? Will they think I’m cool enough? When I’m dropped off at Leiden Centraal, I don’t know what I know now: I’m about to experience the best week ever. Now, five years later, here I am welcoming you. We’ve put together an amazing week so you can get to know the city and each other.’
The introduction weeks are beginning! EL CID week starts on 10 August for about 3,600 students from five Leiden educational institutions. It is followed by HOPweek (17-21 August) in The Hague and OWL (24-28 August) for international students. For the full programme, see the HOP and OWL websites.
Packed programme
Students will spend the week exploring in groups. The programme features numerous activities including an information market where the study, sport and student associations introduce themselves. There are also park lunches, a Fit Festival and, of course, various parties. This year there is a calmer evening programme too, for students who’d prefer a less hectic experience. They can take part in a guided city tour or a museum crawl.
‘Dare to be yourself’
On behalf of the five institutions taking part in EL CID – Leiden University, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, mbo Rijnland, ROC Mondriaan and the Leiden Instrument Makers School – Josephine Mertens addresses the crowd. ‘The city of Leiden is constantly changing. That’s because of you. You bring new perspectives, new questions and new dreams about what the world could be. That might just be the most important tradition in Leiden: that each generation of students gets to discover for itself what is true and what is worth fighting for. What I want to say to you is: dare to make mistakes, dare to change your mind and, above all, dare to be yourself.’
Then it’s Mayor Peter Heijkoop’s turn. He highlights the best sides of ‘his’ city of Leiden. ‘Know your history. Leiden has a rich history. Make sure you experience it, obviously during the 3 October celebrations. If you don’t know them yet, you will do in two months’ time. It’s the party of all parties. A fantastic event. I hope to see you all there.’
The mayor is speaking not just as the city’s mayor but also as a parent. ‘I don’t want to sound too patronising, but do look out for one another. The odd beer is fine, but don’t drink to excess. You all share responsibility for that. And above all, make sure to enjoy yourselves.’
That enjoyment begins straight away on stage, where the old and new boards demonstrate this year’s EL CID dance. The intro week has officially begun.
Butyric acid thrown
In the afternoon, the first-years visit the information fair on Nieuwe Rijn. More than 100 study, sport and student associations are waiting to show the new students everything Leiden has to offer. Next to the stall of the right-wing Groot-Nederlandse Studentenvereniging (GNSV), someone throws a glass jar of butyric acid onto the ground. The person who dropped this foul-smelling but harmless substance is being questioned by the police. Leaflets protesting against the GNSV’s presence are also being handed out. The association’s stall was also targeted last year, with a bucket of compost being thrown on the ground in protest against their presence.
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The old and new boards do the EL CID dance. -
Mayor Peter Heijkoop talks to new students. -
The first shift of 1,800 students at Lammermarkt. A second shift of 1,800 students will follow later that day. -
The mentors have gone to town with their signs.
Scott, an EL CID board member, is hosting this year’s opening. ‘Luminous Leiden’ is this year’s theme. ‘Luminous Leiden. The sun’s shining and this week will ensure that our new students are illuminated: by the city, by new friends and by making this week is a highlight for everyone. It may feel a bit daunting now, but by the end of the week it’ll have been the best week of your life.’
Tim (17) comes from Delft and is going to study Biomedical Sciences. ‘I already knew Leiden quite well and it’s nice and close to home. I’m going to stay in Delft for now and will see whether I can move to Leiden later. I turn 18 tomorrow, which makes it extra special that it falls during this week. I’m going into it with an open mind and am really looking forward to it. I hope to see a lot of the city and have just met my first fellow students.’
Housemates Isabel and Alex are the mentors of group 33. Their sign stands out : teddy bear Barry with a stethoscope around his neck. ‘From Barry Badpak of course! We never go anywhere without Barry. We hope to have a brilliant week with our group and to show them that Leiden is the very best city ever to study in.’
Charlize and Puk have just met. They’re both in group 37. Puk is going to study Pedagogical Sciences and Charlize Psychology. Puk: ‘I already know Leiden quite well because I started last year and took part in EL CID then. Now I’m doing a different programme, I wanted to join in again. You get to know so many new people and it’s great fun.’
For Charlize Leiden is completely new. ‘I come from near Rotterdam, so I don’t know much about Leiden. I’m really looking forward to getting to know new people and exploring the city.’