From 22 to 25 September, the International Office of Erasmus University Rotterdam will host their second Erasmus+ Crossroads Staff Week. This year’s theme is “Optimising the International Student Journey.”
International students are at the heart of the international classroom we value so highly. By bringing together students from different cultural, academic, and personal backgrounds, the international classroom cultivates new perspectives, mutual understanding, and intercultural competences. It enriches the learning experience for both international and local students and prepares all graduates for a global working environment.
As universities, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that international students feel welcomed and supported throughout their studies abroad. That means going beyond removing obstacles and proactively creating a community where they feel connected, and at home. In three days, we will explore every stage of the international student journey, from application to arrival, their academic experience, and life after graduation.
Programme
| Time | Topic | Host | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Welcome, coffee & team building | Langeveld 2.20 | |
| 10.00 - 10.30 | Theoretical context: Understanding the International Student Journey | Martine Wierenga | Langeveld 2.20 |
| Coffee Break | |||
| 11.00 - 12.30 | Design Thinking Workshop: Co-creating the International Student Journey | Shen Liu, Claire Voskamp & Janna van der Wel | Langeveld 2.20 |
| 12.30 - 14.30 | Lunch | Erasmus Pavilion | |
| 14.45 - 15.45 | The Future of International Student Services with AI: From Theory to Practise | Virginia van der Ster | Langeveld 5.06 |
| Coffee Break | |||
| 16.15 - 17.15 | Mind the Gap: From Offer to Arrival | Cornelis den Hartog, Ethan Cranes & Karen de Man | Langeveld 5.06 |
| 17.30 - 19.30 | Social Drinks | Campus Cafe In De Smitse |
| Time | Topic | Host | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00 - 09.30 | Welcome & Coffee | Langeveld 2.08 | |
| 09.30 - 11.00 | A Warm Welcome: Introduction Period | Kimberly Kruisse, Emma Martens, Anna Valeria Pelivanidou & Karen de Man | Langeveld 2.08 |
| Coffee Break | |||
| 11.30 - 12.45 | From Study Success to Student Success: the Shift to Student Wellbeing | Marilisa Boffo | Langeveld 2.08 |
| 13.00 - 14.00 | Lunch | Erasmus Sport | |
| 14.30 - 16.00 | Student talk: Belonging, Community & Student Associations | Dito Boerema | Mandeville T3-25 |
| Coffee Break | |||
| 16.30 - 17.30 | Group Picture & Campus Tour | Erasmus Student Ambassadors |
Note: this is wear your uni-merch day!
| Time | Topic | Host | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09.30 - 10.00 | Welcome & Coffee | Langeveld 1.08 | |
| 10.00 - 12.30 | Employability and Career Preparation | Nikola Janouskova, Laura Delussu, Liesje Goldschmidt and Mersiha Kisevic | Langeveld 1.08 |
| 12.30 - 13.45 | Lunch | Erasmus Food Plaza | |
| 13.45 - 15.00 | Water taxi ride | ||
| 15.00 - 16.00 | Beyond Graduation: Staying Connected as Alumni | Alice Eekman | Stadshaven Brouwerij |
| 16.45 - 19.30 / 20.00 | Talk, brewery tour, drinks & festive dinner | Director Harm van Deuren – and proud Erasmus University Rotterdam alumnus | Stadshaven Brouwerij |
Alice Eekman
Alice is an Alumni Relations Manager at Rotterdam School of Management, where she leads international alumni engagement initiatives, having previously established the alumni network at the European School The Hague. With a background in teaching and a career spanning the education, non-profit, and corporate sectors across Europe, Australia, and Melanesia, she brings a global perspective to community building in education. Alice is passionate about creating inclusive communities that celebrate diversity, culture, and identity.
Claire Voskamp
Claire works as an Immigration Officer for the International Office at EUR. As Immigration Officer, Claire supports international students with their residence permit process and makes sure the university and the students, stay informed and compliant with all immigration laws and regulations. In addition, she also focuses on streamlining our services and enhancing the student journey. This includes improving processes as well as developing clear communication tools, such as handbooks and instructional videos. She has been with EUR for nearly six years and have previously worked at the front office, which has given me a broad understanding of the university and its internal dynamics. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Rotterdam with her partner, young son, and friends — whether through visiting museums, attending cultural events or live music, or discovering new restaurants. Claire is excited to meet you during our workshop “Co-creating the international student journey”.
Cornelis den Hartog
Cornelis is the Co-founder and Co-CEO at Goin. He loves good food (Italian mostly), travel, nature, sports, hiking and dogs! He started Goin' 5 years ago during studies together with Lars, and now they work with a super team of 20 people for more than 120 universities and >200.000 students per year worldwide
Dito Boerema
Dito recently graduated from Positive Psychology at Tilburg University. Motivated by stimulating personal development, he started as Studentlife Liaison at the EUR in June 2025. Dito is the contact person for all student organizations and will be the project lead for the EUR introduction weeks to come! Having experienced the benefits of being an involved student, he values the extracurricular experiences that can enrich a student their time studying (abroad). At the EUR, Dito strives to ensure that all incoming students experience an exciting, safe and welcoming beginning of their student life in Rotterdam.
Emma Martens
Emma recently graduated from the Erasmus University Rotterdam. She completed both her bachelor’s, Business Administration and Philosophy, and master’s degree, Strategic Management, at the EUR! After studying there for 6 years and joining several study and sport associations, her love for Rotterdam and its student life and the EUR has become deeply rooted. Therefore, this year she became part of the Eurekaweek Management. Her passion for helping people and love for the city and the EUR has led her into the position of Commissioner of Participants and Guides. In this role, she has been responsible for over 4000 participants and 500 guides during this year’s Eurekaweek. Examples of these responsibilities are managing the recruitment and training of all the guides, coordinating the ticket sale and sending all communication to the upcoming bachelor and master students of the EUR.
Ethan Caines
Ethan is the Marketing Manager at Goin' and finished his studies in Rotterdam. Ethan enjoys sports like basketball, track, and chess, but he’s especially passionate about calisthenics. He’s the current national champion of the Netherlands, though most of his time is spent handling all things marketing at Goin’. When he’s not behind a monitor or hanging from a pull-up bar, you’ll probably find him on an island (Saba), off on another hike
Harm van Deuren
Harm graduated from the Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University in 1994. He was an entrepreneur already during his studies, selling tailcoat suits to students nationwide. After graduation he worked in consulting for Deloitte Consulting, Arthur Andersen and as an independent consultant until 2005. In that year Harm started his first ‘beer company’ Horecabier.nl; an organization that sells private label beer in kegs and holds a 2% market share in the Dutch draught pilsner market. In 2011, together with an Italian friend he started the brewpub concept ‘Bierfabriek’ that will open its 3rd venue later this year. In 2021 Harm opened a craft beer brewery in Rotterdam; Stadshaven Brouwerij. For this initiative he gathered a committed group of beer lovers and experts around him. In a 100-year-old, fully restored fruit warehouse of over 5,000 m2, Stadshaven brews 2 million litres of craft beer annually, making it the second largest independent craft beer brewery in the Netherlands! The brewery is at the forefront of sustainability using state-of-the-art techniques that waste as little water and energy as possible.
Janna van der Wel
Janna is a Communications Advisor at the International Office, where she has been working on projects that optimise the student experience for international students as well as owning the International Office Instagram & website. Born and studied in Rotterdam, Janna is a proud ambassador for the city. During her studies, she studied in Canada for half a year and she understands the challenges and opportunities of the international student life. She is excited about welcoming students to Rotterdam and is dedicated to helping them feel at home during their time here.
Karen de Man
Karen works as Senior International Relations Officer @ EUR – International Office. Karen has worked in internationalization in higher education in various roles since the start of her career. She joined the EUR Alumni Team in 2020 and transitioned to the EUR – International Office in 2023. She enjoys inspiring students to expand their horizons both during and after their studies and has been a speaker about career development in many national and international events.
Kimberly Kruijsse
Kimberly really felt at home at EUR and therefore never left the university behind after graduating. Over the past few years she has been focussing on how we as a university can help prospective students (both national and international) find the right spot for them, whether that's within a study programme at EUR or somewhere else. To bridge the gap between earlier forms of education (especially high school) and university life, she yearly works on our central onboarding programme where we offer new bachelor students a soft landing into the exciting (but often daunting) new chapter of their lives.
Larissa Verbaas
Larissa is Connector Partnerships & Content at Rotterdam. Make it Happen., the city branding alliance where, together with 42 partners, she positions the city internationally, nationally, and locally as smart, healthy, circular, and vibrant. In her role, she connects partners from all corners of Rotterdam and makes sure that stories, campaigns, and collaborations keep the city visible and recognizable. As a born and raised Rotterdammer, the city is truly in her heart. She strongly believes in the power of collaboration to put Rotterdam in the spotlight and to give proud ambassadors a stage. And outside of work? You’ll find her running, on the yoga mat, paddleboarding, or cycling from event to festival to exhibition – because sitting still just isn’t in a Rotterdammer’s nature.
Laura Delussu
Laura is a Career Development Manager at Rotterdam School of Management, the biggest faculty within EUR that caters to a diverse international student body. Having started her career as a lecturer in higher education and then moving on to work as a career coach in Singapore, she brings extensive experience in supporting young professionals at the start of their careers. At RSM Career Centre, she delivers workshops, provides one-to-one coaching, and helps students secure internships aligned with their aspirations. Passionate about empowering the next generation, she is committed to guiding students in making confident and informed career choices.
Liesje Goldschmidt
Liesje is the Marketing & Business Development director at Erasmus Enterprise – a driven and diverse entrepreneurial community on the EUR campus, on a mission to help you transform your innovative startup ideas into successful businesses and your businesses into thriving scaleups. With a strong international background in business development, innovation, and venture building, Liesje is a strategic, results-driven commercial leader who knows how to connect the dots between startups, investors, corporates, and government. She thrives on collaboration, stakeholder management, and building partnerships that accelerate growth. Her mission? Creating positive impact with people who aim to move forward. When she’s not busy building ecosystems, you’ll find her chasing the wind on a kitesurf or carving down a mountain on skis – anywhere in the world.
Marilisa Boffo
Marilisa is the Academic Lead of the EUR Student Wellbeing Programme. She is responsible for the vision and goal setting of the programme and ensuring that all initiatives, services and policies related to student wellbeing are rooted on a solid evidence-based approach and centered around student needs.
Martine Wierenga
Martine Wierenga is Director of the International Office at Erasmus University Rotterdam since 2021. Prior to joining Erasmus University Rotterdam, she managed summer schools and global partnerships at Leiden University. In her role at Erasmus University Martine manages the teams working on international Admissions, Immigration, Scholarships, International Partnerships and Exchange, and the team working on the International Student Experience. Martine enjoys contributing to projects and events in the framework of the European University Foundation, focusing on resilient and responsible internationalisation, high quality staff training, and sustainable internationalisation. She is Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Rotterdam, who are keen on providing a home away from home for international students in Rotterdam, and member of the Board of Directors of the A.A. Van Beek Foundation, which provides scholarships to Erasmus University students who do not have the means to go abroad in the framework of their study. Martine is very keen on optimising the international student journey at Erasmus University Rotterdam, with specific attention for student wellbeing and sustainability.
Mersiha Kisevic
Mersiha is the HR & Office Manager at Erasmus Enterprise – a driven and diverse entrepreneurial community on the EUR campus, on a mission to help you transform your innovative startup ideas into successful businesses and your businesses into thriving scaleups. At Erasmus Enterprise Mersiha leads HR and office operations with heart, structure, and a strong people-focus. She drives recruitment, team wellbeing, and a smooth-running workplace — creating the foundation for team members and startups to grow. Outside the office, you’ll find her training for a half marathon, traveling, cycling and hiking through nature, or enjoying good food and life in her home city Rotterdam.
Nikola Janoušková
Nikola works as a career advisor at Erasmus University Rotterdam as part of the Career Services team, focusing on supporting international students during the transition to the job market. Originally from the Czech Republic and with her own experience studying in Denmark, she understands what it’s like to navigate life and build a career in a different country. In her role, she provides one-on-one career advice and facilitate workshops on topics such as networking, effective job search strategies, and career orientation — helping students explore questions like “Who am I? What do I want to do?” Besides that, she also gets to use her creative side while developing new workshop content or tailoring the current workshops to the specific needs of faculties, student associations, and other central services. The diversity of tasks and students, combined with the supportive environment of my colleagues, makes her mission of empowering students to use their potential while working towards their career goals truly enjoyable.
Shen Liu
Shen studied Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) at the Technological University of Delft. He did his master’s in “Strategic Product Design” and has applied Design Thinking in his professional career. Shen is currently working at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam as a Project Manager at the Community for Learning and Innovation. He specializes in project relating to AI, Digitalisation, Gamification and Npuls.
Valeria Penivanidou
Valeria is from Greece and in 2023 she came to the Netherlands to begin her MA in Media & Creative Industries at the university. Her experience as a student exploring the city of Rotterdam and making the most of what the university had to offer, was the driving force of her passion to give a warm welcome to other international students like her to their university life in Rotterdam. Hence, this year, she has been involved in the organization of Eurekaweek, the official introduction week of Erasmus University, as the Commissioner of Events & Crew. Her role is to create and plan the creative concepts of all the events of the program, create the lineups, make venue arrangements and recruit, train and manage a team of 60 crew members who help make Eurekaweek possible.
Virginia van der Ster-van der Wel
Virginia is a Policy Advisor for Digitalisation at the Dutch National Agency Erasmus+ (Nuffic), based in The Hague. In her role, she designs and implements cross-sector digitalisation strategies to enhance the Erasmus+ programme. With a background of over 16 years in higher education, Virginia previously served as a Policy Officer for Global Engagement and spent six years as a Steering Group Member of the EAIE’s Expert Community on Mobility Advising. In recent years, she has focused on digital education with a strong emphasis on inclusion across all educational sectors. She has actively contributed to the European Digital Education Hub, where she led the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion squad. Additionally, Virginia was a member of the European Commission’s steering group on Digital, where she contributed as an advisor to the development of the strategic framework for the digital priority within the Erasmus+ programme.
Rotterdam recommendations
While Rotterdam is full of iconic landmarks waiting to be discovered, many of which you will find highlighted on your city map in the goodie bag, there’s also plenty of activities to do while you are here. To help you make the most of your free moments, we have put together a selection of fun activities happening throughout the week.
Sunday 21st of September
- Trandem Rotterdam (A rooftop bar with great wine and snacks)
Address: Hofplein 19, North
Open every Sunday from 14:00 - 22:00
Free entry
Monday 22nd of September
- Open Stage Night (The monthly Open Stage Night by Studium Generale, Erasmus Music Association and ESN Rotterdam for Students of EUR. Music, spoken word; everything is possible as long as it fits at the stage of café Erasmus Paviljoen.)
More info
Tuesday 23rd of September
On Tuesday, we end around 17.30, so you will have the whole evening to explore our beautiful city and maybe dine at one of the restaurants from our curated list!
Thursday 25th of September
- We Call It Jazz (A live jazz performance at The Jazz Room in Rotterdam. There's a mix of well-known songs and improvisation.)
Maassilo - Maashaven Southside 1-2, Charlois
More information
- Latin Thursdays at Garden of BIRD (Grab a drink, have a bite and join your dance partner on the dance floor while DJ Philly & Friends deliver the best Latin tunes.)
Address: Garden of Bird - Raampoortstraat 26, North
More information
- Best of Stand-up at Comedy Club Haug
More information
Friday 26th of September
- Wine tour of the SS Rotterdam (Led by our wine specialist, we invite you to an exclusive wine tasting where you will have the opportunity to discover various, carefully selected wines.)
Address: ss Rotterdam - 3rd Katendrechtsehoofd 25, Feijenoord
More information
Saturday 27th of September
- Rotterdam Market “De Centrummarkt op de Binnenrotte”
Every Tuesday and Saturday from 8.00 - 17.30; The market is located in front of Markthal (There is amazing food from different cultures both inside Markthal and in front at the Binnenrotte), definitely in our top places to visit!
More info OISTR (Celebrate the opening of oyster season: oysters, cider, and chansons!)
- Visit the Farmer's Market in the North of Rotterdam for a true local experience
More info
Sunday 28th of September
- Vintage on the Maas (a Rotterdam vintage and craft market with unique items, live music, inspiring workshops, delicious coffee, and a beautiful view of the Maas River.)
Address: OASIS - Schiehaven 15a, Delfshaven
More info
Restaurant Bazar - Witte de Withstraat - Middle Eastern & North African
https://www.hotelbazar.nl/nl/restaurant
Takumi Ramen Kitchen - Markthal area / West-Kruiskade - Japanese ramen
https://www.takumiramennoodles.com/nl/rotterdam-markthal/
O'Pazzo Blaak - Blaak - Italian pizzas & pastas
https://www.opazzo.nl/
Ter Marsch & Co - Witte de Withstraat - Gourmet burgers
https://www.termarschco.nl/nl/rotterdam/home
Black Smoke Rotterdam - City centre - American BBQ
https://blacksmoke.nl/
Bokaal - Nieuwemarkt - Pub with craft beers & snacks
https://www.bokaalrotterdam.nl/
Dudok - Meent - Brasserie/café, famous apple pie
https://dudok.nl/rotterdam/
La Pizza - Scheepstimmermanslaan - Very good pizza
https://www.lapizza.nl/
Hamburg - Witte de Withstraat - Casual burgers in fun setting
https://www.restauranthamburg.nl/
Vicini - Kralingen - Really good italian food
https://vicinirotterdam.nl/
Old Scuola - Very good pizza as well
https://oldscuola.nl/
Station Bergweg - Brand new food hall in the North of Rotterdam
https://www.stationbergweg.nl/
Contact
Note: the application deadline has now passed, and we are no longer able to accept new participants.
If you have questions regarding the staff week, please do not hesitate to contact us via staffweek@eur.nl.
Janna van der Wel - Communications Advisor
Maaike van Gerven - International Partnerships Officer
Karen de Man - Senior International Relationships Officer
Martine Wierenga - Director International Office
