Ending 2022 with Glühwein, hot chocolate, sausages and heartwarming festivities

After an inspiring and exciting Project Week, it was time to conclude 2022 with the traditional Christmas Drinks and barbecue. Wittenborg students, faculty and staff gathered under a warm marquee in the courtyard of the Brinklaan campus. While the Glühwein, hot chocolate and sausages were passed around, students had a moment to recover from their hard work for this semester and the project week. It may have been a cold and rainy winter evening in December, but the festivities were heartwarming.  

The Christmas Drinks began just after the students finished their assessments for the poster competition concluding their research for the project week. Christmas songs played as the students gathered around the tables to get something to eat and drink, while the amazing team of volunteers, made up of Wittenborg staff and fellow students, helped everyone enjoy their evening.  

Around 6 o'clock, Wittenborg president Peter Birdsall brightened up the evening by announcing the winners of the poster competition, the World Cup football pool and the student representatives for 2023. Each time the winners' names reverberated through the courtyard, the audience responded enthusiastically and joyfully. Birdsall ended his speech by wishing everyone a wonderful 2023 and, for everyone who's celebrating, a Merry Christmas too.

A warm and cosy gathering

The students really enjoyed the Christmas party. For them, the barbecue is something more than just marking the end of a year: "I really enjoy the festivities because I can socialise with everyone," Says Austin Nnamdi, Wittenborg student from Nigeria. "But I also look forward to New Year's Eve, which I would like to experience in the Netherlands." Amina Tabashum from Bangladesh says we should have more gatherings like this: "The barbecue is really warm and cosy. At times like this, it feels like the family is coming together."  

At 7 o'clock, the party was over, and it was time for everyone to go home and get their well-earned rest after such an inspiring last few days before the winter break. "The project week was stressful and strenuous, but it was worth it. It was my best project week ever and very innovative and interactive. But I am looking forward to Christmas break to take my rest." Says Nigerian student Precious Okukusie.  

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences wishes everyone very happy holidays and a fantastic and inspiring 2023.

WUP 28/12/2022
by Niels Otterman
©WUAS Press