Wellbeing Calendar

Social activities

• Gaza and Beyond: Occupation, Repression, and Regional Responses – 8 April

  A panel discussion in 3D

  On April 8th, a panel discussion, titled 'Gaza and Beyond: Occupation, Repression, and Regional Responses' will take place in 3D. The three panellists Erella Grassiani, Farid Boussaid and Pat Hynes will discuss and delve further into the past focussing on the geopolitical and regional dynamics of what has been happening in Gaza and the surrounding regions since October 7th.

  Erella Grassiani is the director of the Amsterdam Centre for Conflict Studies at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and conducts research on, amongst other topics, the Israeli security industry and its effects on human rights worldwide.

  Farid Boussaid is an assistant professor in Middle East politics at UvA and director of the Amsterdam Centre for Middle Eastern Studies. His work focuses on the intersection between history, economics and politics in the Middle East and North Africa.

  Pat Hynes works with the Glencree peacebuilding NGO. He was a policy advisor to the Irish government during the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement, and in more recent years has also worked on various peacebuilding initiatives in the Middle East, including between Israel and Palestine.

  This event, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities is aiming to engage in dialogue with one another and with experts on the issue of Israel-Palestine.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 8 April 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • No need to sign up
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• Great Minds Close Reading: Maya Angelou #1 – 8 April

  What does it mean to grow up in a society shaped by racism and inequality? In this edition of Great Minds we will read excerpts from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

  In this edition of the Great Minds series, we will read excerpts from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. In this autobiographical work, Angelou reflects on her childhood and her experiences with racism, trauma and personal growth. The book tells a powerful story about finding one’s voice and offers a meaningful starting point for reflection and conversation. 

  What are we reading? 
  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiographical work by Maya Angelou in which she recounts her childhood and youth. The book explores themes such as racism, identity, trauma and resilience. Angelou’s story shows how personal experiences are connected to broader social realities, and how language, literature, and community can play an important role in finding one’s voice. 

  What is the event? 
  In each session, we will read a few pages from this book. Don't worry, you don't need to prepare anything! We will select the pages and bring them with us. At 4 p.m., we will have a short walk-in in 3D with coffee, tea, and cookies. Once we are seated, we will briefly introduce the event, the author, and the text for that day. Then we will get to work and read and discuss the text together; what strikes you? What appeals to you, or doesn't? We will exchange ideas, and around 5:30 p.m. we will conclude the session. 

  Where is 3D? 
  You can find the entrance to 3D on the campus square, next to the Spar supermarket. It has 3D in lights in the window, and a big gnome on the steps that lead to the door.

  Who is NEWConnective? 
  This event is organised by NEWConnective. NEWConnective organises events around life's bigger questions. We engage with themes like grief, spirituality, and much more. Find out more on our website (vu.nl/newconnective) or on our socials (@newconnective). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out via email to newconnective@vu.nl.

  Practical information

  • Dates & time: Wednesday, 8, 15 & 22 April 2026 16:00 - 17:30
  • Location: 3D room
  • Language: English
  • Please sign up here
  • Organised by NEWConnective.

• 'VU in Motion - Kar' introduction week – 9 to 16 April

  Sportcentrum VU brings movement to you!

  During the intro week for the 'VU in Motion - Kar', this new addition will be on the campus square and everyone can get acquainted with the sporty content of the cart.
  
  Drop by between work or college and try low-threshold activities like pickleball, bocce ball, spike ball and more - just in your normal clothes.

  Thursday, 9 April to 16 April 2026

  • Daily 12:00-13:00.
  • Campus square - calisthenics park.
  • Free walk-in (no registration required).
  • Guidance present.

• DNA dialogues part 1: Editing the DNA of Future Generations – 14 April

  At present it is prohibited. But in theory it is possible to modify the DNA of human embryos. 

  If you alter the DNA of an embryo, you change the DNA of future generations as well. How can we incorporate the voices of those future generations into the choices we make today? In this interactive dialogue we will engage in a conversation with the future to better understand the decisions we can make today. 

  Britta van Beers, professor of law, ethics and biotechnology at the VU department of legal theory and legal history, will guide us in ethical and legal opportunities and pitfalls in the future of human germline editing.

  Moderation by Eef Grob and also participating is Marianne Lamers, journalist NEMO Kennislink and Marcia van Woensel.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 14 April 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • No need to sign up
  • Free event
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• Book Club: The Fire Next Time #1 – 14 April

  In November 1962 James Baldwin’s essay “Letter from a Region of My Mind” appeared in The New Yorker. It would become a marker in USA civil rights history — his plea to ‘end the racial nightmare’ was too conciliatory for some, yet transformative for others. His reflection on race, religion & society is essential reading for our own day and age.

  The Library Book Club is everybody’s book club. Fancy a refreshing read, a change of scenery and a nourishing encounter? Come and read The Fire Next Time with us! 

  About the book and its author 
  The Fire Next Time consists of two essays: the latter is “Down at the Cross,” which appeared in The New Yorker on 10 and 17 November 1962 under the title “Letter from a Region of My Mind;” and the former ”My Dungeon Shook,” which is a letter Baldwin wrote to his nephew a few months later, on occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the emancipation of all enslaved people in the USA. It is in this chronological order that the Library Book Club will read the essays. 

  James Baldwin (1924 – 1987) grew up in Harlem, New York City, and was a writer of novels, essays, poems and plays; as well as civil rights activist and public intellectual. At age 24, he left New York City for Paris, where he lived nine years, and which would be a gateway for years of travel across Eurasia and Africa. It is in this context, of observing his home country from abroad and hearing of the civil rights movement, that he wrote the two essays at hand. 

  In The Fire Next Time Baldwin manages a societal critique that is deeply personal, clear cut yet loving, and activating. In our own time, that is seemingly defined by fracture, it is worthwhile to sit with his observant, patient and invigorating analysis. What can we learn from Baldwin’s portrayal of race, religion and society in our own context; and what would we have to add? 

  “… America and all the Western nations will be forced to re-examine themselves and release themselves from many things that are now taken to be sacred, and to discard nearly all the assumptions that have been used to justify their lives and their anguish and their crimes so long.” -James Baldwin, “Down at the Cross,” The Fire Next Time (Penguin, 2024): p. 34. 

  Practicalities 

  • We’ve picked the Penguin Modern Classics edition of 2024 as a reference point (ISBN 9780140182750), so page numbers align with that edition. 
  • For the first session we’ll be discussing pp. 9 – 36, which is the opening of the essay “Down at the Cross” (until the break at ‘… we got rid of Him.’). For session two, we read on till p. 61 (break at ‘… at the enemy’s door.’); and for session three we finish “Down at the Cross” (till p. 78) and read “My Dungeon Shook” (pp. 1 – 8). 
  • This book club season consists of three biweekly sessions on Tuesdays 14 April, 28 April and 12 May; you’re not obliged to participate all sessions. 
  • The location is the Library Lounge, at the entry of the University Library in the Main Building (HG-01A01). 
  • There’s no need to sign up. If you’d like to receive updates and also to vote for books in the future, you can join the group chat (WhatsApp). 

  Schedule 

  • 5:30 p.m. walk-in: you’re welcome to come in early, to bridge time or to bring and have dinner. 
  • 6:15 p.m. opening: we kick off with a round of introductions, and a brief introduction of the book. 
  • 6:25 p.m. group discussion: we share our experience and findings reading the book so far. 
  • 7:25 p.m. summarising: we look ahead to the next session and summarise today’s session. 
  • 7:45 p.m. end or socialising: we end the session, although you’re welcome to stick around until the building closes. 

  About the Library Book Club 
  The Library Book Club is for anyone roaming VU campus. We read a few books each year, and try to throw something new into the mix each time; passing fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose, short stories and longer ones along the way. Our librarians select three candidates for a season and you get to vote. If you’d like to engage with this group more often, the easiest way to get involved is through the group chat (WhatsApp). 

  Practical information

  • Dates: Tuesday, 14 April, 28 April & 12 May 2026 
  • Start: 6:15 p.m. 
  • End: 7:45 p.m. 
  • Location: Library Lounge (HG-1A) 
  • Language: English 
  • Book edition: Penguin, 2024 
  • Read: pp. 9 – 36 
  • No need to sign up!

• Open stage – 16 April

  You can once again join 3D for Open Stage evenings organized by students from the Bachelor's in Creative Writing and Master's in Literary Studies.

  An evening to enjoy each other's readings. And an opportunity to present something yourself, such as a short story, poetry, a column, or a song. It all comes down to your own creativity. You have complete freedom to try something out, alone or with others.

  Would you like to present something? Send a message to Naomi at n.a.bak@student.vu.nl or +31 6 3092 9237. Please keep your presentation to a maximum of ten minutes. And of course, you must show up. But even if you don't want to present anything and just want to listen, you're more than welcome.

  The evening starts at 7:00 p.m. There's an opportunity to eat together beforehand in the VU canteen (around 6:00 p.m). You can grab something there, or bring your own food and heat it up.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Thursday, 16 April & 26 June 2026 19:00 – 21:00 
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: Mainly Dutch
  • Free event
  • No need to sign up, only let us now if you want to present something by sending an email 
  • For questions you can send an email to Naomi.

• Workshop Beyond Listening: Navigating Impasse – 21 April

  There are times when we might feel we have reached the end of a conversation. The point where words exchanged are no longer being heard. Sometimes we reach an impasse. What is supposed to happen next?

  Join the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with NEWConnective and Nthabiseng Shongwe in the 3D room for a follow-up workshop exploring questions like: How do we stay in conversation without losing ourselves?
  How do we hold patience, boundaries, and curiosity at the same time? When convictions clash, when trust feels fragile, when the distance between us does not easily close, how do we move forward?

  In this interactive session, we move beyond listening as a skill and into the moments where it is tested. Together, we will explore practical tools for staying in conversation through difficulty — working with real-life scenarios, shared experiences, and guided reflection. Participants will leave with language, strategies, and a deeper capacity to navigate disagreement, hold boundaries, and find ways forward where conversation feels stuck.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 21 April 2026 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: All interested in the topic
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • Please sign up here
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• DNA dialogues part 2: Exploring human rights and DNA editing – 22 April

  At present it is prohibited. But in theory it is possible to modify the DNA of human embryos. 

  If you alter the DNA of an embryo, you change the DNA of future generations as well. The ethical debate on human germline editing often refers to human rights, such as ‘equality’ or ‘human dignity’. But what exactly do we mean by those terms? Is ‘unedited DNA’ a human right, or are we entitled to be free of hereditary diseases? In this interactive dialogue we explore legal concepts on DNA editing. 

  Laura Jacobs, PhD candidate at the VU department of legal theory and legal history, will help us in navigate these so called ‘open norms’.

  Moderation by Eef Grob and also participating is Marianne Lamers, journalist NEMO Kennislink, and Marcia van Woensel.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 22 April 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • No need to sign up
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

Sports & wellbeing

• International Arts Day: A Living Circle Experience – 15 April

  Celebrate creativity, connection, and self-expression in a nurturing and collaborative space. This special International Arts Day gathering invites you to explore what art truly means, beyond technique, as a way of being, feeling, and relating. 

  We begin with a gentle arrival, followed by a welcome circle where we meet one another and reflect on the role of art in our lives and within the Living Circle project. From there, we move into a Conscious Movement Workshop, deepening awareness of our bodies and how we relate to ourselves and others through movement.

  The experience then flows into a Collective Art Painting session, where small groups co-create shared canvases, letting intuition, connection, and the “group mind” guide the process. No artistic experience is needed, only openness.

  We close with a sharing circle and a shared meal, integrating the day’s experiences through reflection, connection, and nourishment.

  Programme

  • Walk-in (15 minutes)
  • Welcome Circle (30 minutes)
  • Conscious Movement Workshop (1 hour)
  • Collective Art Painting (1 hour)
  • Sharing Circle & Dinner (1 hour)

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 15 April 2026 18:00 - 22:00
  • Location: 3D room | VU Dialogue Stage
  • Language: English
  • Organised by 3D
  • If you have any questions, please contact 3D at 3D@vu.nl.

• Health storytelling workshop – 16 April

  Let’s talk health. What’s your story?

  Join us to explore ways of talking about your health in a safe and creative environment! 

  Sharing something personal with others can be stressful, especially when you don’t know how others might react. This uncertainty can make us avoid making meaningful connections in daily conversations. Talking about your health is no different, and can be easily misunderstood or stigmatised. Many of us will encounter these situations in our lives, which is why it is so important to learn and talk about them. 

  During the workshop, we will use storytelling techniques to get familiar with these scenarios and explore how we can comfortably navigate these interactions. You will have an opportunity to connect with other students, both in what we all have in common with our experiences and what we do not. 

  Are you a student with a disability, chronic illness, mental health struggles, or a personal medical experience? Or are you someone who wants to learn how to attentively listen and respond to peers sharing with you? Whatever your story is - everyone is welcome. 

  Disclaimer: This workshop is intended to be interactive but we do not expect anyone to disclose anything they don’t want to. Instead, our team will work together to explore interactions in a comfortable and non-structured environment so we can all take something away from the experience. You own the story you tell.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Thursday, 16 April 2026 4:30 – 6:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the WN building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • Please sign up here
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• Mourning Group – 12 May to 30 June

  NEWConnective organizes a Mourning Group for students who are mourning someone who has passed away.

  There is no manual for mourning. Everyone grieves in their own unique way.

  Death is part of life, but that does not lessen the impact it has on your life. The sadness can be so overwhelming that it may feel like your whole world has collapsed and seems like life has lost all its luster. Your concentration can drop, which in turn can affect your study results. You may feel empty and aimless, angry, withdrawn, or confused still. At first, people are caring and concerned, but after a while, it can seem like no one has room for your grief anymore. The sadness is something that stays and that is normal. There is no manual for mourning. Everyone grieves in their own unique way. A grief group of students who have experienced something similar can offer you support. 

  What is the mourning group? The group consists of a 1 on 1 intake moment with Lenneke the facilitator of the group. And six group sessions, in which you can share your experiences with loss. Lenneke occasionally provides background information on aspects of grief. 

  The purpose of the mourning group is to share stories and find recognition in the emotions and experiences of others, within a free and safe space for every participant. 

  Is this the place for me? The group is open to every student in Amsterdam, regardless of background or belief. The only condition is that the loss you wish to discuss is not very recent. If you have any doubts about this, please email us and we will discuss it together. Prior to participation, there will be an intake interview in which you will meet Lenneke and discuss your needs.

  Practical information

  There is space for six students in the group. You can register by sending an email to newconnective@vu.nl.  

  Dates of the intake interviews:

  • Intake interviews 1: Tuesday, 5 May, between 16.00 and 19.00.
  • Intake intervieuws 2: Wednesday, 6 May, between 16.00 and 19.00.

  Dates of the mourning group:

  • Session 1: Tuesday, 12 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 2: Tuesday,  19 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 3: Tuesday, 26 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 4: Tuesday, 2 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 5: Tuesday, 9 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 6: Tuesday, 16 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 7: Tuesday, 23 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 8: Tuesday, 30 June, 17.00 - 19.00.

  The location is yet to be announced.

• VU in Motion – every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

  You are welcome to join us for a short, fun exercise break during your work or study day! Just wear your regular clothes!

  Programme
  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer 15-minute Qi Gong at 12.30 p.m., until October again outside on the campus square, near the new Calisthenics park.
  
  Following this, on those days there is free walk-in Calisthenics until 1.15 p.m., which means an instructor will be present to offer you some no-obligation help and inspiration!

  On Wednesdays at 12.15 p.m., it's time for Standing Yoga, whose starting point remains in the hall of the OZW.

  More information on VU in motion

• Meditation sessions – twice a week

  Need a break? Come and join our meditation sessions in the VU Stilteruimte (HG 1A-53) and in the Mindful Library (HG 12B-02) - we offer sessions two times a week.

  We will provide 20 to 30-minute guided meditations. You can find more information on time and place below. 

  It doesn’t matter if you have a load of meditation experience, or if you are just a beginner. No need to bring anything; mats, cushions and stools are provided. Just wear something that will sit comfortably on your body for 20 to 30 minutes. 

  The meditations occur in the VU Silence Room (HG 1A-53) and sometimes in the Mindful Library (HG 12B-02). You can find this space on the 12^th floor in the library tower. 

  If you want to stay up to date, join our Whatsapp chat for any last-minute updates and changes in the schedule. Here, you can also connect with others who are interested in meditation and mindfulness!

Workshops & training sessions

• Improve your concentration – 8 & 15 April (online)

  Get a grip on your attention again!

  Can you hardly bring yourself to read this text? Do you automatically reach for your smartphone when it's next to you? Does your mind constantly wander when you are at work? Can't close yourself off from the people or sounds around you? Do you often feel rushed and do less than you would like to? Do you lie in bed with a full head?

  It is time for a different approach! In this workshop you get a grip on your attention again. You learn about the ins and outs of attention management and you practise with various concentration techniques. After this course: You know how your brain deals with distractions. You discover how you can better arm yourself against these distractions. You will experience more peace in your head and body.

  This training course includes 2 sessions and will take place on: 

  • Wednesday, 8 & 15 April 2026, 18:30 - 21:30 (online).

  This training course is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

• Three ways to improve your study Module 1: The negative spiral –  6 May

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three short modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellors. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module we take a closer look at the negative spiral (also known as a vicious circle) you can get stuck in. This is an exercise from cognitive behavioural therapy which gives insight into the connection between what you think, feel, and do. This approach also gives you tools on how to break the spiral. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... finding your personal balance
  • Working on… taking action 

  Date 

  • Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.  

• Three ways to improve your study Module 2: Balance and relaxation – 13 May

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellors. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module it is all about balance. When experiencing problems with procrastination or motivation, but also with stress, it is important to look at how you deal with your own energy distribution. Do you spend too much time on your studies, or too little? How do you recognise the signals your body gives that it is time to pump the brakes? With our help, take the first steps towards achieving a better balance. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... understanding your negative spiral
  • How to… take action

  Date

  • Wednesday, 13 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying. 

• Three ways to improve your study Module 3: Take action – 20 May

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellor. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module we work on behaviour. Sometimes you want to change, but where do you start? We spend time on helping you gain an overview, of both your short- and long-term plans. This is about taking action and getting a grip on your day. Useful for everyone: whether you procrastinate, like to socialise, or cannot see the wood for the trees. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... understanding your negative spiral
  • Working on... finding your personal balance

  Date

  • Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

• Work on your fear of failure – 20 May, 3 & 17 June, 1 & 15 July

  In this training course you will learn to understand your own fear of failure and gain insight in your study-related stress. 

  Do you understand the material, but you still fail your exams? Is there so much to do that you can only focus on studying, or that you can do nothing at all? Do you experience so much stress before a deadline that you decide to just leave it? Do you procrastinate, have issues with concentration or motivation because an exam incites so much stress? Or do you put so much of your time and energy into studying that you do not have any fun or rest any more?

  In this training you will learn to understand your own fear of failure and gain insight in your study-related stress. Alongside various exercises and assignments you will learn how to be more in control and break your own vicious circle of anxiety. The goal is to learn to be more relaxed about studying, and about other worries that are in the way of an optimal performance.

  This training course includes 5 sessions and will take place on:

  • Wednesday, 20 May, 3 & 17 June, 1 & 15 July 2026 (22 July)^*, 13:00-15:00 (VU campus).

  ^{* back-up date}

  The training course is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

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