Frat parties, a quick information guide about them can be found on Blue Mountain State on Netflix. I decided to attempt to get into one with my German floormember Leo. Our plan was simple, buy a six-pack of beer and use that as a bribe to get into the party. The six-pack became a 12-pack and it was 7 dollars each. At the fraternity house Delta Epsilon we sneaked in with another group, and we met nice people there. It was fun and way more relaxed than I thought it would be, we were the only ones that brought something and it wasn’t even needed, we were told. The party turned out to be more of a chill session (30-35 people) and it wasn’t “stroef” at all. However, several people asked me what I did to become a frat, apparently the beard does it all… I also taught them how to play stresspong, also called rage-cage for the people to the east of Utrecht. So all in all it was a unique and very fun experience.

All fun and games is over, now the academics begin. It’s Tuesday, and there are 2 classes on my agenda, ancient Greek philosophy and Programming fundamentals 1 (programming Java 101). But before all this I had to pick up my rental bike, I almost had to promise to use the helmet for my safety, a promise which I of course would have to break. The bike is a bit worrisome, since it apparently has the worst (peddle) brakes in history, forcing me to brake 3 meters before I actually have to stop. The helmet idea actually makes sense now.
I somehow managed to get late at my philosophy class (old habits never die), and was surprised about the amount of students (just 25) and the amount of papers I would have to write (both by hand and computer for no apparent reason). Java 101 did not turn out to be Java 101, it was a very confusing course with 650(!) students. Almost all of them freshmen and all of them very noisy/rude to the teacher. The teacher told us this was only required for the CSE Major and a course specialized in only Java should be taken if that was the goal out of this course. So I did. F*ck the disorganized class and their robbery of trying to get me to buy 50 dollar clickers. Which apparently is a device to answers in-class quizzes, to potentially get 10 points out of a thousand…

I joined the Navigators! Which, as it seems, is not a Christian organization at all, it’s solely purpose it to connect internationals with Americans and organize trips/events for them. I got paired up with Gina, a lovely and very social person, and I know for sure that we will have a fun time as a Navigator buddy group!

The next couple of days I had to focus on which courses I wanted to have, since the UF has a drop/add week in which you can switch those. I ended up with Greek philosophy, Java (related to programming fundamentals but more focused on just Java), Engineering Entrepreneurship and Engineering Innovation.

On Wednesday, I went out with the “We’re so Fucking Kind” group to Grogs, where I ironically drank too much. I would ask for a coke zero at the bar and get a spiked one instead. It was a fun night.
Back in my dorm, I decided it was a good idea to do two things simultaneously: brushing my teeth and getting ready for bed. Which meant that I found myself a couple of seconds later outside my room, without keys (the doors lock automatically from the outside), and no roommate present. Luckily I could sleep (although I haven’t actually slept for a bit) at Christofer, a good friend of mine. After which I returned to my room at 8, to catch up my missed sleep, resulting in missing my first couple of classes.

Gina, as a good mentor she is, took me to several events (like Krishna, vegetarian food) and introduced me to many of her friends. I felt accepted and had a fun time at wherever she took me. Thank you Gina!