Boomerang
The September 2014
De Omnibus Dubitandum Est
A New Year,
Two New Boards UCSA (P03) / ASC (P04)
Ecstasy 101 By ROOS VAN OOSTERHOUT
E
cstasy is a drug that has gained mass popularity over the past 20 years due to its ability to produce feelings of euphoria, comfort or strong connections to others. It has actually been around for over 100 years, but has only been classified as a Class A illegal drug in the Netherlands since the ‘70s.
“Ecstasy’s increase in popularity, in spite of its harmful side effects, has started various debates about taking it.” Also known as MDMA (a shortened version of its chemical name), X, XTC, E, Snowball, or the Love Pill, it was originally developed as a “diet pill” by Merck pharmaceutical company in 1912. Ecstasy was patented in 1914, but the company decided against producing it. It resurfaced in 1953, when the US Army used it in psychological warfare tests, and then again in the 1970s when it was used as a psychotherapeutic tool by medical specialists. By the 1980s, it was being used as a party drug and is predominantly associated with the rave and clubbing scene. It mostly comes in pill form, sometimes with an ‘E’ stamped into it, but can also be sold as powder or capsules. But how does taking an ecstasy pill lead to feelings of euphoria, as described by its users? MDMA acts on serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain. This means that serotonin is a chemical that helps transfer signals across gaps (scientifically known as synapses) between adjacent neurons. Neurons are cells of the nervous system that
allow signals to travel around the body, from one neuron to the next. Communications between neurons helps the body control processes and respond to different stimuli. Serotonin is known to play an important role in various processes that range from mood control to sleeping and eating patterns. Normally, serotonin is removed after having transferred the signal from one neuron to the next, but MDMA prevents this removal from occurring. Additionally, it causes a flood of serotonin to be released between the gaps. The result of these effects is that signals are repeatedly launched, which can explain why inhibitions might be loosened or why users feel much more carefree than usual. Like many other drugs, taking ecstasy has side effects that can vary from person to person. One common side effect is a loss in body temperature regulation, which can lead to a rise in temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. This can be fatal due to strain on the heart or lungs caused by dehydration. Research is still being done on the long-term effects of frequent ecstasy use, though initial results show that it is associated with liver damage.
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ce the number of ecstasy-related deaths and the purity of pills is increased. Furthermore, if dealers know that clients can get their pills tested they are less likely to change the contents. Opponents of these services argue that the measures do not reduce the demand for ecstasy pills, let alone the secondary harms associated with drug abuse, like crime or costs to society.
Ecstasy
’s e in po pularit in spite y, of its h armful effects side , has st arted v debate a rious s abou t taking the mi it – see ddle pa g e s o f the Boome rang fo r more ! increas
“Ecstasy in itself has not been proven to be physically addictive but tolerance to it can build up if taken compulsively.” Ecstasy in itself has not been proven to be physically addictive, but tolerance to it can build up if taken compulsively. In that sense, ecstasy can be ‘addictive’; it becomes an escalating habit as users seek to
Read more about the ‘Love Pill’ P06
experience a previous high. In order to reduce costs, MDMA in its pure form of white crystalline powder can be cut with other substances, resulting in a pill still sold as ecstasy. These substances can range from MDA, a drug from the same chemical family, to heroin, to caffeine. Users can get addicted to these substances, which then contribute to an ecstasy ‘addiction’. This notorious unreliability might explain why the Netherlands and other countries like Belgium and Switzerland have set up free drug check services, where citizens can take ecstasy pills (amongst others) to be tested. At testing centres pills are analysed to determine the contents and purity without any legal repercussions. Advocates of these services say that such systems redu-
illustration by: Alexandra Barancova
P02 P05 P08 P09 P11
the Boomerang | September 2014
02 THE BUBBLE
EDITORIAL To whomsoever finds themselves concerned, Fifteen years ago, a student- probably not unlike many of us- by the name of Dirk-Jan Koch, founded The Boomerang. It’s hard to conceive of the world that existed when he roamed this Elysian playgroundbefore smartphones, 9/11 or (most of) the Harry Potter books. But his legacy remains. Julian Assange once said “Journalism is the noble art of seizing reality back from the powerful.” As over-dramatic as it sounds, whether it’s our budget GA or the threat of ISIS, this holds true on every level of journalism. This thick London-accent, readers, is the voice of your humble Supreme Comrade Editor-in-Chief, Omar Nür-Nathoo. As bumptious and narcissistic as it might seem to give myself some 500 words every issue, we have resuscitated the editorial as a means of drawing your gaze to the indefatigable work carried out by every single student whose names are etched throughout the ensuing pages- from the erudite writers, to the assiduous editors, to the inspired illustrators- who, synchronously, transform this delightful dispenser of tidings a posse ad esse. Before I introduce the new board, I would just like to heap as much gratitude and praise as humanly possible upon my predecessor, Sanne van der Steeg. Baring her final decision to leave me at the helm, her reign as matriarch of the campus newspaper was nothing short of impeccable. But, in the words of Heraclitus, “Nothing endures but change”- of which there are many this semester. Primarily, we welcome Rosalie Fidder (Managing Director),
Grace Hardman (Secretary and Editor), Lucie Kattenbroek (Treasurer and Editor) and Alexander Davey (Managing Editor) who join Lucas Koppen (Art and Layout Director) and I on the board. In addition to that, The Boomerang is joining hands with UCStudios to effectuate BoomerangTV (yes, we are really deluding ourselves to this extent). The aspiration behind this is to maximise engagement by drawing campus-dwellers into the debate. On a final note, I should very much like elucidate some peculiarities in this issue. There is a somewhat exordial tone to this issue- we have interviews with the Dean, the UCSA and ASC- that, we hope, will serve to ameliorate the familiarity of those brighteyed neophytes with the fabric of this grand ‘Oxford onder de Dom’. We are confident the Special Feature regarding the use of ecstasy will fill you with a raving sense of euphoria. Lastly, the blank space on page 11 is not lacking in intentionality. The string of thefts on campus has rendered, among numerous others, one of our most prolific writers without his laptop. The blank space reflects two things: firstly, the stolen space; secondly, the sheer lack of information we currently have surrounding the issue. Irregardless, to you readers, we bequeath this- the first issue of the 2014/2015 Boomerang- in the confident hope that you shall not merely enjoy the profound lexical compositions, but obtain those sublime scholastic nuggets that lie therein. De omnibus dubitandum est
OMAR NÜR-NATHOO
Is the A-Team in Need of More Transparency? By ADAM STASZKIEWICZ
O
ne of the initiatives mentioned by the previous UCSA Board this General Assembly was transparency, and they should be applauded for their efforts. However, one contingent of the UCSA currently remains opaque: the Acquisition Team. While I generally support the Acquisition Team and strongly commend them for raising funds for the UCSA, their lack of transparency should be a concern for all on campus. I certainly do not wish to hamper or discourage their efforts, nor do I wish to show a lack of gratitude for the work of the Acquisition Team, but I do wish to spur an open discourse regarding their activities. The Acquisition Team solicits sponsorships from private entities and in return offers access to students on campus (through workshops, for example). The intentions are, of course, always positive and these partnerships are often beneficial to UCU students; however, this does not negate the possibility of entering into a partnership with a company many of us might feel uneasy about. For instance, there is nothing stopping them taking money from Halliburton (who are largely culpable for the BP oil spill) or Monsanto (who bought out a scientific journal simply to print a retraction for an article that linked their GMOs to cancer)- both of which incidentally came at the very bottom on Covalence’s annual ranking of the overall ethical performance of multinational corporations. At the very least, it seems ironic that multinational companies that are, by the most objective of standards, destroying
our planet- whether the environment or the people- should donate money to an organization, the UCSA, with numerous committees directly dedicated to making the world a better place (HumCo and EcologiCo to name but a few). This not even to mention the countless other unaffiliated UCSA members who oppose the work of the multitude of unethical companies that could contribute to our campus. American universities are taking strides toward greater responsibility, with both Yale and Stanford universities having made commitments to shed investments in fossil fuels from their endowments. However, this is only related to climate change. Considering the complex nature of the modern political and economic world, it seems not only shameful but backward to pander to a global juggernaut in return for a relatively paltry sum to the UCSA designed to woo us into complicity. While the Acquisition Team is an overall honourable force on our campus, should we continue to trust decisions made behind closed doors that most UCSA members have little say on, or should the campus have more of a say regarding who funds our activities?
The Budget GA: From the Installation to the Keg By LUCIE KATTENBROEK
E
very academic year the UCSA starts out with the Budget General Assembly, where the association reviews the expenses over the period August 2013 - August 2014 and discusses the forecasts for September 2014 - September 2015. In this GA, the new UCSA Board is also officially installed. Important attendees of the event in the auditorium are the current and future UCSA Boards (although after the installation this became the past and current boards), the BarCo treasurer, the Auditing Team, the Independent Body, the Advisory Council and of course all board members. Often survived through copious consumption of the free wine graciously provided by the UCSA Board, the GA allows the internal democracy of our association to work at its finest so that we, members, can judge the financial workings of the UCSA. The event can definitely be considered to be one of the most important events of the semester. We begin with assessing the soonto-be-previous Board and BarCo. With horrible blue letters and a rioter that invaded the stage momentarily, Sil Boedi Scholte elaborated on the past year’s expenses and improvements. Considering the improvement of fa-
cilities he mentioned the Starbucks machine that, while loved by many, is an achievement of the Universiteit Utrecht rather than that of the UCSA. When asked if they have any concrete improvements made tracing back to the suggestion box he finds nothing but the request for more fish in Dining Hall. The work of last year’s Board should not be downplayed though. For example, they changed the monthly meetings into weekly meetings (for which randomly selected members are invited, and where the UCSA Board listens to the voices of its members on a personal level) and bought a bakfiets, fulfilling the dreams of many students, both Dutch and international alike. According to the Auditing Team, both the UCSA Board and BarCo have greatly improved their financial upkeep. Regarding the BarCo financials, the Auditing Team’s Chair, Frank Westhoek stated: “All documents were handed in in time and in good order. This last year’s board has found a sense of responsibility and the treasurer (Benjamin Parment) has shown great professionalism.” In stark contrast to the GA this time last year, BarCo’s budget was accepted with 94 vote in favour, 5 abstentions and a stunning 0 against. Continuing, Frank Westhoek asserted: “The balance sheet (of the UCSA) is enti-
rely correct and the financial situation of the association can be regarded as healthy.” With positive comments of the Auditing Team, both the last year’s budget and the removal of financial liability are approved without any votes against. After remarks on HAL16 and the unprofessionalism of Leiden University College, Sil’s last performance as the UCSA chair ended with a lengthy, brotherly hug between him and Gustaaf van Oosterom who, from this moment, is officially the new head of campus. Following an extensive but informational speech by Noam Auerbach, chair of the Advisory Council, stressing the importance of the existence of the Council which keeps the long-term goals in mind, passed by the actual future plans of the new board and a nearly declined proposal of funding part of the UCU Students Crowdfunding project, we arrive at the typical elephant in the room: the future BarCo budget. This year was no different. With a tone that arguably bordered on aggressive, the treasurer of BarCo, trying to skip over expenditures that could cover the highly contentious UCU Students Crowdfunding project fivefold, manages to hold up his budget. While many valid points are raised and countered, BarCo presented a reasonable budget
with few changes from previous years, that was, to everyone’s relief, accepted. Next were the financial prospects of the UCSA. Clem Bouju, freshly-installed treasurer, elaborated on changes and prospects. With a speaking time half that of BarCo’s, she presented few controversial changes in this year’s budget. Four hours after the start of the Budget General Assembly presented by UCSA Board 2014-2015, the overall budget was, barring a lone vigilante, accepted by the Student Body still present in the Auditorium. This, and the traditional vote in favour of a free keg to celebrate a triumph of campus democracy, marked the end of the Budget GA.
“Often survived through copious consumption of the free wine graciously provided by the UCSA Board, the GA allows the internal democracy of our association to
a University College Student Association Magazine
Biting Cookies with the
UCSA
By DEIRDRE VAN DEN BOS & JULIETTE ETTY
T
he beginning of a new college year includes the instalment of a new UCSA board! Perhaps you already are wellacquainted with the entire board, perhaps you have only seen them during the election speeches and the posters spread around campus. Some of you might not even have seen them at all and have no idea who they are. Not that it really matters; they are more than willing to present themselves in the Boomerang, so everyone will get to know the enthusiastic six that represent the UCSA.
Gusta
af
Gustaaf is the chair of the UCSA board, whose favourite place to eat is KebabPaleis. No, actually it is ‘Broodje Mario’, but he thought it was worth mentioning. He carries the overall responsibility for the association, thus he has to negotiate with different people. He is interested in diplomacy and loves sharing and listening to stories, which ties in perfectly with his duties as chair. Besides stories, he enjoys laughing, smiling and cracking (literal) jokes and mentions: “I really like the train rides to The Hague because – and you know you do this too – I get to stare out the window, listen to music and evaluate life as if I am majoring in Lifology.” His favourite band is REM, and advices us: “A posse ad esse”.
THE BUBBLE 03
Catheleine is the UCSA’s secretary. She is in charge of taking minutes every meeting and proudly presented us with her record: 3000 words for a 3,5 hour meeting. She is also the chair of the Campus Life Forum. After UCU, she thinks she might go into diplomacy work, but she is not sure yet. In her spare time she reads a lot, watches movies, and spends too much time on IMDB and Youtube. In the weekends she goes home often, since that is only twenty minutes from UCU (who can ignore the call of free food, after all…) As for going to town, she recommends Lebowski, and especially the huge stuffed giraffe they own.
Getting to Know Your Dean: A History of
Cathel
ijne
Meike is one of the CAO’s, which basically means she is the connection between the UCSA board and the committees and monitors campus life. Other than with the UCSA, she fills her days with baking, cooking, hanging out with friends, and watching series and movies. She is highly addicted to the Harry Potter movies and series like Orange is the New Black. Moreover she mentions having a slight addiction to the Sims. During weekends she likes to sleep in, to “recharge my batteries for the rest of the week,” she adds. Her favourite foods are sushi, raspberry ice cream and skittles. Oh, and if anyone is looking for a pizza place, Basta Cosi apparently serves the best pizza in town, or in her words: “they’re soooo good!”
Meike
Clem
Clem is the treasurer of the UCSA. When asking her what it exactly entails she says: “I’m in charge of keeping track of all revenues and expenditures of the association.” (BarCo, anyone?). You might have seen her election posters on campus, a campaign that she acknowledges as “a (probably) over-the-top campaign which I enjoyed very much!” She loves to bake, and takes photos of her creations afterwards, sharing them on her blog. Naturally she enjoys watching the Great British Bake Off, and going to any place in town that serves “frothy cappuccinos and creamy cheesecakes”. Besides her love for food and baking, she likes to explore the cities in The Netherlands during the weekends. On top of that, her favourite movie is Begin Again because of the “amazing soundtrack”.
Cartoons by Joachim McDonald
Juliette ran for UCSA board last spring, after helping out with the UCSA Lustrum Festival that year. Currently she is one of the CAO’s. She represents the committees in the UCSA board and ensures they run smoothly and efficiently. Juliette loves listening to music, whatever she is doing, except when she is showering (guess she does not like singing herself?). In the weekends she is blessed with the “Almighty OV”, so she travels a lot within Holland. Amsterdam is most impressive, though. Her advice during your stay at UCU? Get involved! It sounds corny and she knows it, but it will make or break your experience at UC, according to her.
Juliet
te
Haris is the last CAO of the board. He tries to guide his committees mostly and, like the other CAOs, takes on other tasks, such as for-
Rob van der Vaart By TESS RÖDER “What did you study?” I thought I would like to be a dentist, but after six months or so, I quit. I did enjoy were the medical subjects, but I did not like making prostheses and so on, so I decided to change to Human Geography. I was doing Spanish as well, but I gave up after the first year, because it was just for fun. I also started teaching at a secondary school. There was an enormous shortage of teachers, and it was an easy way to get away from the military service, because if you had a teaching job, you did not have to go. “If you could choose now where to study, would that be at UCU or UU or even somewhere else?” I think I would have liked the combination of topics at UCU, because, as I mentioned, I had a hard time choosing. I was interested in Chemistry, Dentistry, languages and Human Geography. Basically, I had no clue. Would I also like living on a campus? I am not sure, because I was very independent – yet there are many students like that here as well. So I have to imagine myself being an eighteenyear-old again, and then, I think if I knew about UCU, I would have applied. “How was your student life and how is it different from student life here?” Ninety percent of the student life is the same. I was a member of a fraternity in town, Veritas, where I spent a lot of time. I was hanging around in the bar and the tearoom a lot. I did not study hard, but I did well. We had a sea of time, which is now of course very different.
ming the teams or looking into new events. After UCU he is planning to become a doctor. He is addicted to TV shows (he admits to maybe having a problem…) and loves being on the UCSA board. On the weekends he likes hanging out with other people; as long as that is the case, it will be fine. His favourite movie is Easy A (and not because of Emma Stone), and in town he loves the balcony of the V&D. He wants to share the thought: “Be yourself and don’t worry about what other people think of you.” Last, he just wanted to say: “Guus, Cat, Clemmie, Jules and Meik: I love you guys!”
“What kind of work did you do before you became the Dean of UCU?” I’ve always been related to UU. I started working, teaching, doing research and after a while I did my PhD there. After a while I became more of a central figure in the Geography department. I set up exchange programs, I made a documentary film, and I worked in the US. “What do you like better: teaching, doing research or management?” Number one is teaching. The research and the management are more or less equal. It would be nice to have some more time for research when I’m no longer dean next year. “What are you going to do next year?” I still have my two other jobs for at least a year: Vice Rector and Honours Dean of the UU, and I’ll work on a proposal for the board of UU for an internationalization policy. We only have UCU and the Utrecht School of Economics as international bachelors. And after that, it is completely open to me. “Do you have some advice for the first years who just entered the Bubble?” Do not be intimidated. You have to be serious in your work, but stay calm and enjoy. Find a balance between studying and other activities. Maybe you have difficulties adjusting, but it all takes time. Remember: all of you were selected because you can do this. In the beginning you might not have a clue what you want, but all of the graduates know eventually what they want to do next.
So, here we are. Just some last words from Gustaaf: “Come by the office for a chill session with REM music, some (paid-for) Dining Hall food or any ideas you have regarding our Association!” And apparently we should not be afraid of them biting, as Catheleine told us, but we actually might get some cookies to bite in ourselves…
Haris
the Boomerang | September 2014
04 THE BUBBLE
Questions and Tea with ASC By CELINE DANIELLE
W
arning: This will not be about academics We all know what the three letters in the acronym stand for and where their office is, but how much do we really know about our 2014-2015 ASC board members? After sitting down to a warm cup of tea in one of the comfy chairs of the ASC office with a set of question to ask, I have found out some very interesting things about this year’s new board members and I can tell you that they are a wonderful bunch. Background Information Laura, Chair of ASC is from a small town in the Netherlands called Zoetermeer, which is famous for having the ugliest central train station in Holland after appearing on Dutch TV - Utrecht Centraal is currently ranked number 1. Vincent, Student Assessor from Hengelo is half Turkish and half Argentinian. He also claims that you can find the best ice cream and FC Twente in Hengelo. Niaz, Academic Affairs Officer for Science thinks his hometown of Karachi, Pakistan, is quite charitable and agrees with the rest of the board that if Laura had the option, she would become chair of the world. Ella, Academic Affairs Officer was born in Munich and is from Hengelo. Marc, Academic Affairs Officer for Social Science was born in Bordeaux and also lived in Prague. When asked if he thinks that Bordeaux is the best city in France he replied, “Obviously, because I was born there.” Background Questions Describe ASC in one sentence: Vincent: Bringing the student opinion to where the decisions are made. Niaz: ASC knows everything about your education that you either know right now or will know in the future, and does its best to represent the student body. Marc: We party all the time… not really; we are there to help you with academics. “What is the craziest thing you have ever done?” Marc: Running a 10K race whilst being completely hungover from the night before. Ella: When I was in high school, we really did-
n’t like one teacher, so we got a fish and put it in his drawer. It was right before the Christmas holidays, so when we he came back after the break there was a dead fish in his drawer. Vincent: Um... I shaved my hair off. Name a unique talent you have that you are proud of: Laura: I can touch my nose with my tongue. Ella: I can crack my neck and hug people. Vincent: Giving surprise lectures about the meaning behind peoples’ profile pictures. Niaz: I can curve my fingers backwards into an arc. “If you had a year to do anything what would it be?” Niaz: I would breed koalas and sell them on the black market because they are so nice! Niaz (serious): Be a monk because I’m an impatient person and teach myself to be more patient. Vincent: Spend a year in China and learn Chinese. Ella: Climb a mountain! Laura: Read all the philosophy books written by Wittgenstein. Marc: I would teach English in a foreign country like Vietnam or India. “If you could be reincarnated into an ice cream flavour, which would it be?” Laura: I would be yogurt because it is traditional and can go with a lot of other flavours, definitely not mocha, chocolate or coffee. Vincent: Chocolate because the flavour is not too exotic but realistic. Niaz: I would be either a very concentrated coffee ice cream or pineapple because the flavour is fresh. Ella: Orange Kardewal? “If you could learn to do anything what would it be?” Marc: I would learn to shape-shift. Vincent: I would learn to sing! Laura: Shape the future but not see it. “So back to the subject, what exactly do you do in ASC?” Answers of each member combined: We make sure that the curriculum at UCU has what the students want through focus groups
with tutors. We appreciate the constructive criticism students’ give of courses. We also have meetings with tutors and campus hall to bring the student voice into action. “How can people on campus get more involved in ASC?” Laura and Niaz: Come visit us in our office, our events, and workshops and you should also never underestimate the power of
course evaluations. They hold a much stronger say than individual students complaints. Laura: There is recent student designed honours course that has taken shape, and we now have a new educational track for students. “Any final remarks?” Niaz: (joking) Yes, ASC is your overlord. Respect us, love us, and revere us.
Partying, Studying and
a Word of Advice
COLUMN
The First Two Weeks At UCU
By VALÉRIE PIJLMAN
I
walked through the gates of UCU when it began like a whirlwind: UCU’s introduction week! The best week of every UCU first year’s life, filled with parties, parties and more parties! Intro-week is both hectic and exhausting. I was sleep deprived as the fun yet arduous daytime activities leave little time to rest. The only reminder of upcoming classes are the tutor meetings, though the moment I left my tutor’s room my mind went back to introweek mode. A schedule filled with activities can make one forget that classes are about to start. Blissful ignorance allowed me to forget ordering books and running errands before the start of the first week. Some of us kept postponing until Sunday rolled around and nothing had been done. Another struggle is to figure out how intranet, Osiris, workspaces and all other ICT work. Once that is figured out you already have to catch up on coursework! That is when the stress kicked in. Monday dawned upon the calendar and there it was; my first class. For some of us it was nerve wrecking, for others a piece of cake but all of us desperately wanted to go back to sleep. I belonged to the former. Luckily, the Research in Context classes star-
ted in a relaxed atmosphere with no homework and a nice teacher. The one thing I really needed to adjust to was twice 45 minute set of classes. During my secondary education I was used to having 50-minute classes per course. Quite the adjustment! One set of classes exhausted me more than I could have ever predicted, although that might have to do with still not being fully recovered after introweek. The rest of my week could be summed up by ’stress with a pinch of fun’. My hope of classes starting of lightly went out of the window when I was assigned reading material. With this workload I already doubt I will finish my reading in time. Looking at the course manuals, it will definitely be a tough semester. The trick is to find a way to balance social life and activities within the bubble with my academic responsibilities. It seems impossible, but looking at all the second and third year students I guess it is possible! A last word of advice from a first year to a first year: do not get caught up in the stress and do not forget to have fun. It is possible to manage schoolwork and social activities at the same time. After all, we are students only once, so try to make the most of it. We can do this!
a University College Student Association Magazine
LOCAL 05
A Red Card for Brazil’s World Cup Organisational Practices? By MARCELA TRIPOLI
E
very corner of the Netherlands was painted orange during June and July. Dutch flags, ginger wigs and the most creative outfits were a common sight. It was an exciting World Cup. The UCU bar, and many the other bars in town, were packed for most matches, through which people laughed and cried in the 90 minutes of joy and suffering. This fun had a more sinister cost. Before the World Cup started, a few of the international papers had addressed the logistical problems that the World Cup brought to Brazilians. However, in the excitement of the matches these issues seem to have been cast aside. Big events such as the World Cup and the Olympics are expensive and demanding ventures for any country; a lot of planning and investment must go into to them. And despite the benefits a country might glean from them– such as public attention, high levels of tourism and investment in infrastructures – many countries are not willing hosts. The recent World Cup has cost more than the two previous World Cups added together, totalling a sum of $14 billion. But most of the infrastructure developed by the event will not be useful for its inhabitants in the future. The investments have linked airports, hotel hubs and stadiums, destinations foreign to the daily lives of most Brazilians. A lot of stadiums have become white elephants as a result of hosting-capacities disproportional to the average attendances. Moreover, in order to pay for the cost of such big investments, the prices of tickets for
Brazilian football matches in these stadiums have increased after the World Cup. This suggests that many citizens, who found themselves unable to watch the extremely expensive World Cup games, now find themselves priced-out of watching national matches. Big and inefficient expenditures are just the tip of the rather large iceberg of negative consequences of the World Cup. Cases of exploitation were present in the construction of many stadiums and infrastructure projects, resulting in multiple worker strikes. In addition many families were evicted from their houses- the most moderated accounts estimating that some hundred thousand people had been violently removed from their homes due to the World Cup. The law on “terrorism” put into place during the championship is another example of the event’s tyranny. It has largely restricted the population’s right to protest; a clear violation of freedom of expression. The situation was so critical that people were arrested a few days before the finals, under the charge that
Education, Education,
Education By FLEUR ZANTVOORT
Q
uestion: Have you ever considered not pursuing an expensive university education? While you may have answered this question with a resounding “yes”, the decreasing likelihood of this possibility, instigated by the advance of mass education, calls for a re-evaluation of our attitudes towards higher education. In the second half of the 20th century, governments throughout the world embarked on a quest to an expand higher education, making it available to the masses rather than just the wealthy elite - and successfully so: enrolment rates soared. A good thing? At a glance, yes, but in light of 21st century developments, another side to the story has begun to emerge. The policies aimed at the education of the masses were based on the Enlightenment ideal that everyone should have equal opportunities. Unfortunately, this focus on university education has created an educational hierarchy, resulting in the idolisation of a university education as the highest attainable good and discounting the value of vocational institutions and practical skills. As a result, prospective students merely wonder what they want to study, ra-
ther than if, or let alone, why. This would not have been a problem, except that universities have become unaffordable in a time of economic crisis, resulting in mounting student debts. Additionally, as the proliferation of university degrees has reduced their value more and more students find themselves unemployed or underemployed, while society is confronted with a deficit of skilled vocational labourers. Facing a lifetime of indebtedness, the question arises of whether a college education is still worth it. To aggravate the problem, rising fees have not contributed to the amelioration of university education or increased value of degrees. Rather, there has been a noticeable decline in quality, evident in the Netherlands by the fact that while enrolment has increased, the number of faculty members has remained stagnant, and average time spent studying has decreased significantly. On the other hand, the mass nature of higher education has led to the admittance of a growing number of ill-prepared students: 20% of students in the USA require remedial teaching to keep up with the curriculum - increasing tuition fees yet further - and only 57% of university students
they could have potentially caused public disturbance in form of protest during the finals! The Olympics games are coming up soon and many of the problems present during the organization of the World Cup are being repeated. This should not solely raise questions on whether only so-called “developed” countries should be the hosts of these large-scale events (in fact, many developed countries have stated that they do not wish host such events, as it makes very little economic sense). The focus should be on how any government can violate so many human rights and get away with it.
complete their four-year degree within six years: an astonishingly low percentage that reverberates throughout Europe. Proponents of mass education will argue it defensible because of the value of education per se as a means of self-development. However, the emergence of MOOCs - Massive Online Open Courses - allows for online education using the materials and lectures provided by esteemed universities such as MIT, for free. Besides this, universities are brimming with unmotivated students, in a culture in which doing the minimum amount of work becomes a competition. It is not the advance of knowledge and selfdevelopment that is sought after by many students, but a piece of paper that society tells them will improve their chances for a successful life. As such, the intrinsic value of education is only an argument in a select number of cases, and whether it is worth the costs depends on each individual’s motivation. Certainly, I do not wish to impede equal opportunities at self-enhancement and social climbing. What I do advocate is a critical re-evaluation of the attitudes towards higher education, which has assumed superiority at the cost of other kinds of education. If I were to argue that higher education has to be contracted to cater to a minority, call it an elite, I would hardly be taken seriously. But perhaps it is not such a crazy idea: investing money in making higher education more widely available to those who do not have the financial means, but do have the intellectual capacity. Restoring the reputation of vocational institutions, and encouraging students to decide for themselves whether a university education is in their best interest. Think about it.
Prinsjesdag By ADAM STASZKIEWICZ
P
rinsjesdag, quite literally, Little Prince’s Day, takes place every third Tuesday of September in The Hague to officially announce the principal government policies for the coming parliamentary year. The day is marked by various traditions and ceremonies. Just after lunchtime the reigning Monarch (currently Willem-Alexander) tours from his ‘working palace’, Paleis Noordeinde, to the Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall) in his Gouden Koets, a partially gold, frivolous carriage that has been in use for over a century. Once the Monarch has arrived in the Ridderzaal in great pomp and circumstance, he addresses a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives with a speech called the troonrede. In this speech he elaborates on the choices that have been made for the upcoming budgetary year. However, the Monarch, while having an influential role in Dutch politics, on this occasion only lends his presence and voice, as the speech itself is prepared by the ministers. After the King’s speech, the Minister of Finance (currently Jeroen Dijsselbloem) proposes the national budget for the upcoming year and the Budget Memorandum to the House of representatives. Following this presentation, the House participates in algemene beschouwingen, a series of discussions and debates where the budget can be amended. While the Monarch represents continuity and national unity in his symbolic presence, the ministers decide the bulk of parliamentary policy. This year Dijsselbloem presented parliament with a cabinet spending plan that moves away from austerity in favour of increased spending for defence and intelligence, focusing on security following international turbulence, perhaps most notably after the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 117. Policies outlined strive to strengthen embassies in the Middle East and concentrate intelligence on preventing Dutch jihadists from returning to the Netherlands -- a recurring topic of late. Consequently, along with tax cuts focused on ensuring the growth of a fragile economy, government spending will exceed revenues by 15 billion euros resulting in a 2.2 percent deficit. This misses a target of 1.8 percent set by the European Commission in Brussels but is royally below the 3 percent Eurozone hard limit. Overall growth in the economy, presented as weak and “brittle”, is forecasted at 1.25 percent relying on strong exports. The policies designed to lower the tax burden on labour (eg. increasing the spending power of individuals by half a percent) indicates part of the coming year’s growth is expected to come from consumer spending. While 1.25 percent may seem weak and “brittle”, compared to other Eurozone countries like France, with a growth rate of 0.4 percent, the Dutch economy does not look so grim. In a further effort to boost the economy, considered by opponents of the coalition as too little to matter, 200 million euros are being spent to stimulate innovation. However, the budget can be mined for various nuggets of interest, such as the end of tax relief for buyers of environmentally-friendly cars to be cut. The Dutch film industry will receive a 20 million euro boost to improve its international reputation...or perhaps to create one? King Willem-Alexander received a six thousand euro increase to his salary raising the figure to 823,000 euros. For further information, all official documents are available online on the Dutch Government website.
the Boomerang | September 2014
06 SPECIAL FEATURE
Into the Land of Love with Dr. Holland What can science tell us about MDMA? Hint - not much, yet. By NOAM AUERBACH
E
very weekend millions of people around the world take a little pill that takes them into a few hours of what some describe as “the land of love.” Users describe feelings of freedom, energy, openness, acceptance, and a euphoric admiration for all they come into contact with. Its use has become extremely popular, and has even reached our small and peaceful campus. Some of you reading this article smile to yourself knowing the feeling; others regard this article with skepticism associating danger and drug abuse with the pharmaceutical in question. Regardless of where you are on this spectrum, how much do you actually know about ecstasy? Whether you use it or not, are you aware of the potential costs and benefits of this 125 mg pill? Ecstasy is the nickname given to the solid state of MDMA. Often times, speed is added to the MDMA generating a spike in energy levels for its users. MDMA, like many other recreational narcotics, was not intended for its current use. It was first synthesized in 1912, as an intermediate chemical. For the next 40 years MDMA was forgotten until it was repurposed by the American Army as part of their attempts to create “brainwashing” drugs. The 1970s brought about civilian and therapeutic uses for the drug, increasing in popularity during the 1980s with the rise of electronic music. While we know a lot about its history many of its users do not have a full understanding of what the drug actually does in terms of the physical effect on the human brain. Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug and is categorized as a stimulant. It effects the brainvia two main neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine. These two neurotransmitters monitor the feeling that we experience as happiness. Ecstasy effects brain function in three ways: it stops serotonin from being absorbed, and then releases high levels of serotonin and dopamine. The combination of these neurological occurrences is not exclusive to ecstasy; most antidepressants have a similar effect. While we do have baseline understanding of Ecstasy’s effect on the brain there is a lot we still don’t know. In fact, this question has been a prominent area of scientific research for more than 30 years. Dr. Julie Holland is a world-leading expert in the field of psychopharmacology, who dedicated her life to the research of MDMA. In the growing field of recreational drug research Dr. Holland is a superstar; publishing numerous scientific papers and books, involving herself with patient treatment in New York city, and advocating for an open, factual, and scientific discussion on
MDMA. Dr. Holland asked us to include why she agreed to be featured in our unparalleled publication explaining that she wanted the chance to have an impact on young people and that she’s a “huge fan of the Netherlands and Utrecht”. “What made you decide to go into this type of research?” “I remember seeing homeless schizophrenics on the street as a kid and I really wanted to help them, to reach out to them and figure out a way to make a difference in their lives. Also, I was very interested in drugs and how they worked in the brain, how they affected people’s behaviors. From a young age, I was sure I wanted to become a doctor and help people, and I was fascinated by the brain, abnormal behavior, and drugs, so psychiatry was a good fit for me and my interests. When I was in college, I started reading about ecstasy and the Texas dance scene, and more importantly, about psychiatrists who were using MDMA with their patients and having tremendous results, especially with PTSD. I contacted these psychiatrists and stayed in touch with them over the years, eventually assigning them chapters to write in Ecstasy: The Complete Guide. I tried to get an MDMA schizophrenia study going when I was at Mount Sinai Hospital, but it was impossible to get permission at that time. It’s still something I’m hoping someone will do some day. In the meantime I’m the medical monitor for MDMA PTSD studies.” “Here in the Netherlands ecstasy is a very popular drug among students, assuming most of them are healthy normal people, what dangers are they taking upon themselves when using it?” “It’s a simple question with a very complicated answer. There are no perfect before and after longitudinal studies of people only using pure MDMA, so we can’t say for sure. There are a lot of imperfect studies suggesting there are changes to the serotonin system, and others saying that panic and depression are risks of heavy sustained use.” “And still, can we point out specific problems with long-term use?” “The problem is you have no idea what they’re taking every time they do. People do studies of ecstasy users, but it’s impossible to control for other drugs. The one study of people who used it and didn’t use any other drugs, which was a group of Mormons in Utah, didn’t show a lot of problems, but there are an awful lot of studies suggesting there is damage in heavy users. The question remains, what were they using?”
“In this sense, would you say MDMA is addictive like other drugs?” “For most people, pure MDMA is less addictive than many other drugs, though I won’t say it’s not addictive. One issue is a lot of people aren’t taking pure MDMA and the drugs they are taking that are substitutes may be addictive. There are many anecdotal reports of people taking Ecstasy repeatedly where it seems to feel less good. The negative side effects outweight the potential benefits. It’s called cumulative tolerance. It just starts feeling less good. So in that way it’s almost like MDMA has a built-in deterrent against chronic use. But there are outliers who get addicted. “ “Some users base their use on the 3 month rule (taking breaks of 3 months between each taking), where does it come from and does it have a basis in reality?” “There are no studies on how long you should wait. The three month rule was proposed by Sasha Shulgin’s wife Ann, and is informally supported by other educators, but there really are no studies looking at what optimal spacing might be.” “What influence does it have on our longterm ability to be happy?” “I have no idea.” “Are there any benefits of recreational use of ecstasy?” “I do think that people dancing together, joining together in a group experience of cohesion is therapeutic. That sense of group transcendence and unity. That’s good for your soul, I’d say, and it may also be good for the planet, a reminder that we’re all in this together. So, yes.” “It was mentioned extensively in your book, ‘Ecstasy – the Complete Guide’, that MDMA can, and should, be used as a therapeutic tool under proper guidance, can you please elaborate on that?” “Clinical research studies are underway to show just how beneficial MDMA assisted psychotherapy is on various diagnoses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Autism. It’s early to tell for autism and Aasperger’s spectrum disorders, but for PTSD the data is looking very strong that this can be an effective way to process trauma and get sustained symptom relief.” “If you could suggest a political change in regards to MDMA, how would you shape an actual legal framework?” “Well, the trials in the United States where the DEAs administrative law judge heard days of testimony recommended Schedule
III, which means a doctor would be able to prescribe it. MDMA is in Schedule I right now, meaning it has no accepted medical value and a high potential for abuse. It will take a lot more research before the scheduling changes here in America.” “In case I see a person who is not feeling well under the influence of MDMA, what should I do?” “If they seem feverish, dehydrated, or confused in any way, or if they are vomiting or having seizures, they need prompt medical attention and you should bring them to an emergency room. It’s always wise to take breaks, cool down, and drink water but not overdo it on drinking water. MDMA can cause water retention, so you don’t want to drink more than you lose through sweating.” “Lastly, how do you see the future of ecstasy? Both scientifically and socio-culturally?” “Well, it’s been a part of our culture for quite a few decades now, but it’s still a fairly small percentage here. One of the problems with a drug getting more popular is there is lower purity or veracity in what’s available. Drug substitution can be really dangerous, so when we go through these waves where it’s getting more popular, it becomes a public health issue. “ “Thank you Dr. Holland for your time and willingness to share with us your knowledge!” “Thank you” Ecstasy is unlikely to disappear from our culture or campus. As with many other things, people engage in certain activities even when they don’t know the precise outcomes of it. It is important for young people anywhere in the world to be aware of the facts, and at least know what they don’t know. At the moment the scientific community cannot give a concrete answer on the long-term impact of MDMA. Nonetheless, assuming the affect is minimal, it can have dangerous repercussions. One thing users should bear in mind is that most of the information they have on a drug, any drug, is usually based on experience and not on scientific evidence. In that sense people ought to base their knowledge on actual neurological and pharmacological understandings, and not on their best friend who used it twice before them. On the other hand it seems that there are positive aspects of MDMA use. It is easy to think in black and white terms (drugs are bad!), however in doing so we might be preventing ourselves from moving forward; as a society and as individuals.
a University College Student Association Magazine
Just
Don’t! By GRISELDA TURANDOT
I
s there anyone who is not in favour of “an overwhelming feeling of great happiness”? There’s good reason for ecstasy’s rampant popularity amongst student clubbers. But whilst those little Happy Pills may provide temporary euphoria, I simply cannot bring myself to passively nod in agreement, with the continued normalisation of what is blatantly a fatally reckless practice. I just Googled MDMA, and one of the first hits was an article that read: ‘Student, 20, died of a heart attack after sharing MDMA with boyfriend on nightclub trip’. Her name was Tayla Mae Woodward, she was an aspiring journalist. Surely I have the right not to be judged for the fact that this terrifies me? Surely I don’t have fear being labelled a prudish recluse, because I’d rather not risk taking ecstasy. However, there are better, more logical reasons as to why I harbour such a disdain for ecstasy. It does, without a shadow of doubt, have long-lasting repercussions on the state of one’s mind. MDMA causes nerve branches and nerve endings to degenerate, thus affecting cognitive functions such as the memory. Persistent use of the drug can also extend damage to the heart and kidneys. On the other hand, I am certain one might argue that there are few repercussions “trying” ecstasy once. Many people argue that what you experience, adds value to you as a person. Perhaps so, but is another “experience” or sensation worth the level of risk associated with hard drugs? I am more than happy to concede that the probability of death is low. However, this does not negate the likelihood of severe consequence. One can never be absolutely certain what that pill contains. Last year, in Massachusetts, there was a string of deaths resulting from MDMA being cut with heroin. Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies said, “people think they’re getting one thing, and they’re getting something different and much more dangerous.” Taking ecstasy is the equivalent of being handed a drink you know is spiked, but are oblivious as to what with, and drinking it all the same. Moreover, MDMA and ecstasy risk acting as a gateway drugs for harder substances. Users of ecstasy tend to have utilised softer drugs, such as weed or mushrooms. Neuroscientists accredit these progressions to a build up in drug tolerance, whereby more is needed to achieve the same high. I imagine when people, particularly from countries in which weed is illegal, decided to smoke their first joint, they did not intend for it to be a recurring occurrence. Why do we see ecstasy so differently? Sure, some people will certainly try it once and go no further, but I highly doubt anyone can know this the moment they decide to take their first pill.
“The unknown nature of the experience of drug use will either frighten people away or draw them towards drug use.”
A few weeks ago we, the Boomerang board, asked you (by means of a poll on our Facebook page) whether you had ever tried ecstasy. We received quite an overwhelming response of 197 answers. As you can see in the pie chart below the amount of people that answered ‘yes’ is significantly high. We would like to reiterate, however, that the sample was drawn from a select number of students. Hence these results, striking as they may be, do not necessarily represent the entire student community on campus. In other words, take it with a pinch of salt.
Have you ever tried ecstasy?
TOTAL: [197] NO [122] YES [75]
OPINION 07
Drugs Aren’t So Bad, m’kay By BERT ATMAN
B
efore the meat of my argument, I would first like to shortly address a few points. The purpose of this article is not to persuade people to take recreational drugs, but rather to inform them of potential benefits of doing so. I would also like to make a disclaimer: as with most activities, drug use entails risk. As irresponsible driving leads to a higher risk of crashing, so irresponsible drug use entails a higher risk of injury or death. Taking drugs in a safe environment and in a safe way can massively reduce the risk of injury or death, but just as safe driving cannot guarantee you won’t crash, so safe drug use cannot guarantee that nothing bad will happen. In both of these cases, it is up to the individual to decide whether the benefits of the action outweigh the risk. Finally, my use of the word ‘drugs’ includes alcohol. Despite its wide social acceptance, it is still a psychoactive substance. It can be said of the world that the man who has travelled and seen more of it knows it better. The same can be said of the mind, in that he who has experienced a wider range of mental states can be said to know more of himself. This range of mental states comes from living a full and varied life, and one potential part of this variation comes from recreational drug use. As he who has never left his home cannot claim to know how it is to be in a different part of the world, so he who abstains from drugs or music or sport cannot claim to know anything of the mental states they induce. So, if recreational drugs can add to the variety of life experience, why are they necessarily a good thing? Being injured in a terrible accident certainly adds to the variety of life but is not something most of us want to experience. Well, to ask a drug user why he takes drugs is the same as to ask a musician why he plays music, or any person possessing genitalia why they have sex. All will give you the same answer; for enjoyment, for pleasure, for recreation. It is also important not to overlook one important and very human factor in what drives people to experiment with drugs, the same factor that drove many of us to spend three years of our lives studying abroad: curiosity. The unknown nature of the experience of drug use will either frighten people away or draw them towards drug use. Some people in the latter of these categories may find that they do not enjoy drugs and stop thereafter; others might find that they do enjoy them. Curiosity leads to learning, and this
is another potential benefit of drug use. All experience can impart wisdom. Certain situations may force us to confront parts of our personality that we do not like, or to embrace and nurture parts that we do. Somebody involved in a relationship may learn about their behaviour from their contact with another person. Somebody mourning the loss of a loved one may learn a greater respect and joy for life. The point here is that all experience, whether sober or drug induced, positive or negative, has the potential to teach us. I am not by any means implying here that those who abstain from drugs are intellectually stunted through their lack of experience: drug use is just one part of the spectrum of experience. If a man had tried everything, including drugs, but had never listened to music, he would surely be a more enriched person for having listened to it? In the same way, a man who had tried everything but drugs would be familiar with a fuller spectrum of experience for having tried them. What I mean to say by this is that the distinction between sober and drug induced experience is false; they are both experiences regardless of their provenance. Drug use is not necessary for a full and varied life, nor will it necessarily lead to a full and varied life. But it is not something to be afraid of; taken safely, drugs can form one part of a rich and experienced life. Unfortunately, the 800 words allotted to me were not adequate to fully present my argument. For the full version of this essay please see the Boomerang website.
“It can be said of the world that the man who has travelled and seen more of it knows it better. The same can be said of the mind, in that he who has experienced a wider range of mental states can be said to know more of himself.”
the Boomerang | September 2014
08 GLOBAL “Lama Akkad is a first-year student who left her homeland, Syria, to study in the Netherlands. Her hometown, Damascus, has been shook by the civil war in spite of being Al-Assad’s main headquarters. She agreed to be briefly interviewed by the Boomerang to elaborate on her perspective of the Syrian conflict and on everyday life in Damascus.”
The City of Wonders: Petra By DEIRDRE BOS
T
Arriving at the monastery definiteravelling to the ancient city of Petra ly made the climb worth it. However, once might have been one of the most there, another path continued to ‘The end of breath-taking experiences of my life the World’. Of course I wanted to see that, so I so far. Sure I had seen the pictures, and they followed the path, and then it got confusing. looked beautiful (Photoshop can do quite I believe there were over 5 signs pointing in a job), however in this case maybe the picall different directions saying ’best view’, so I tures didn’t need to be Photoshopped in chose the one that seemed to be leading to order to display the beauty and atmosphere. I arrived in Petra in the morning after the highest peak. At the peak, all I could see amidst the haze of sand were other peaks travelling down from Wadi Rum, the famous scattering in the landscape. Below there was desert in Lawrence of Arabia. Also a place a tiny river- well rather a stream with some definitely worth visiting! A beautiful landsunexpected green vegetation along it- macape with enormous rocks on which you can king its way through the mountains. Were watch the sunset. you to really squint, it is possible It actually takes a to distinguish the vague shawhile to enter Petra- first Petra pe of water at the horizon, there is a descent to was built by the which was presumably the entrance of the Nabatean tribe around the Dead Sea. The vault, and from thethe sixth century BC, conquewhole scenery held re a walk through red by the Romans in the second an atmosphere of the vault to enter century and partly destroyed by an serenity. the city. This was earthquake during the fourth centuYou could actureally confusing ry. Although many stories had been ally say that if you as there were so told about the city throughout like a lot of walking, many turns and the centuries, it was not reand desert areas, you everything shared a discovered until 1812. should definitely visit certain likeness. EsPetra. If not, you should pecially when I walked still go, because it is an amaback, I thought there was zing experience, and one of the no end to it! seven wonders of the world! I remember that the guide halted us inside the vault to point something out, everyone looked very carefully, but what he tried to show us was unclear. Then he made us turn around, telling us it would be more visible at the other side. Yet, still nothing could be seen. Again he made us turn and take two steps forward, to suddenly be face with the famous Treasury. Such a sneaky trick! Since Petra is built inside a valley, the buildings are scattered all over the place and at different heights. One of those buildings- a monastery- was at the apex of a hill. Along with some others, I started to climb the path enthusiastically, but immediately discovered that the path was steeper than expected, and so slowing down was the only option to avoid both tripping over loose rocks and saving some energy while walking in the burning sun.
A Glimpse into Syria F By MARIEL NAVARRO
ollowing its independence from France in 1946, Syria suffered from a period of instability due to its religious and ethnic plurality. In 1970 the former defence minister Hafez al-Assad overthrew president al-Atasi to consolidate a regime that would last thirty years. Remarkably, al-Assad himself is a member of a religious minority, the Alawites, who constitute only around 11% of the Syrian Muslim population. In order to preserve his position, Hafez al-Assad defeated and repressed several uprisings, most notably the 1982 Muslim Brotherhood revolt, which ended the political activities of the group until 2001. These policies created a politically hostile environment that suppressed most of the opposition and managed to guarantee alAssad’s succession by his son, Bashar. When Bashar al-Assad took power in the year 2000, the country’s political and social environment was temporarily liberated; around 600 political prisoners were freed and approximately 12% of the members of the parliament were women. Bashar al-Assad’s regime, however, still faced some of his father’s opposition, namely several Islamist and secular groups. Just as it seemed that Bashar’s government would depart from his father’s hard policy line, the 2004 violent clash with the Kurdish minority in the north region proved that Bashar would also rely on repressive practices when facing dissenters. The suppression of rights and freedoms was reinstalled in Syrian political life. Under the influence of the Arab Spring of 2011, opposition groups started demonstrating against al-Assad’s government in March 2011. At first, these groups were created to defend their own demonstrations; however, faced with the government’s actions, they evolved to fight al-Assad’s military forces. As the conflict continued, the dissenting forces started to separate into two different categories: on the one hand, the Free Syrian Army and on the other one radical Islamists. Three years into the conflict, a radical Islamist organization’s leader, Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared the formation of a new caliphate under an Islamic State (IS). It is then that the ethnic Kurdish minority joined forces with the Free Syrian Army to defeat the IS supporters. The war, consequently, demonstrates the existence of several dissenting groups in Syria, rooted, as previously mentioned, in religious and ethnic differences. Moreover, it is a source of instability for most of the Middle East due to the displacement of families to neighbouring countries and territorial spread of certain militants. Lama Akkad is a first-year student who left her homeland, Syria, to study in the Netherlands. Her hometown, Damascus, has been shook by the civil war in spite of being Al-Assad’s main headquarters. She agreed to be briefly interviewed by the Boomerang to elaborate on her perspective of the Syrian conflict and on everyday life in Damascus. According to Lama, Damascus has suffered the consequences of war to a lesser extent than most other areas in Syria. However, military checkpoints are located almost every two or three blocks, and moving around in the city is very hard sometimes. “There is still nightlife and everyday life activities going on around the city”, says Lama, “but we do need to be very careful of where
we are going and who we are going with.” Being associated with sympathizers of the rebel or the Islamic movements is extremely dangerous, as the regime is able to imprison the supporters and deny them any sort of political freedom or guarantee. The practice of “lifting” people has even affected universities, Lama recalls. In Damascus, there was great commotion over the disappearance of a rebel-sympathizing student in a university campus. The bombing of university campuses and other youth centres is very present in Damascus everyday life. Parents and students try to keep in constant communication as much as possible. According to Lama, this has also been a determining factor in the involvement of Damascus students in the conflict. Given that al-Assad’s forces outnumber the dissenters in the city, it is easier for the government to control student life and repress several student-based movements. She further mentions that the conflict is not openly discussed in many situations due to the fear of suppressive actions from the government. National media are also very careful in addressing the topic, creating what she senses as an information vacuum in Syria. In her personal experience at an international school, Lama emphasizes there is greater discussion of the conflict due to the availability of information from abroad.
“It is not rare to have running water for only two or three hours in the morning, and to have scarce access to electricity.” Moreover, she elaborated on the living conditions in Damascus, “it is the people who earn less money [who are] the ones who suffer the most, since their living areas have been the most affected by the fighting and the government cuts.” It is not rare to have running water for only two or three hours in the morning, and to have scarce access to electricity. “You become used to it”, Lama says, “and you organize your days knowing accordingly.” When asked about the different factions in the civil war, Lama stressed that, as a consequence of the government control of the media, it is very likely that there are distorted ideas of the combatants in the civil war. However, from her knowledge, Damascus remains a divided city between al-Assad and Free Syrian Army supporters. She comments that in spite of Damascus Islamic religiosity, the IS has not gained many supporters due to its hard line approach to Islam. “Many people in Damascus do not trust the Islamist approach of the IS, so they prefer to preserve al-Assad’s regime or to thrive for a more liberal Syria, and favour the Free Syrian Army.” She finally expressed how she felt while moving to Holland and seeing the conflict from afar. “Even if not many people are aware of what’s happening, many of them ask and are interested in knowing my opinion”, she declares. The contrast between life in Holland and life is Syria, for her, is immense, but she has felt welcomed and appreciated in spite of the hard situation her entire nation is going through.
a University College Student Association Magazine
COLOSSEUM 09
Nosy Neighbour:
Poppy Phelps Edition
By GRACE HARDMAN
I
t’s difficult not to be inspired by Poppy’s bedroom; the word itself doing little justice to the flower-garden-come-artist’sstudio that lies beside the bed. The wall above the desk is littered with a variety of images from Poppy’s favourite artists, people and memories. A print of a Matisse cut-out can be found next to one of Poppy’s own designs - using similar block colours and intriguing positioning of shapes. The room is surrounded by art and drawings, reflecting the artists that she grew up with. Poppy’s parents are both illustrators, and charming black and white scribbles from her father can be found stuck to the wall. Organic, natural and soothing plant life is intertwined with Poppy’s. A dream catcher is fashioned using sticks found in Utrecht’s woods and shells from Cornwall’s beaches. Before beginning her studies in Utrecht, Poppy pursued art and painting for a year in Cornwall. She remembers the time fondly and likes to bring aspects of her past into her present living area. The curtains are knotted to allow the morning sun to wake her naturally and sync her sleeping pattern with the moon. Dried flowers are scattered on her desk instead of books, although she insists it will become a relaxing working environment once the jasmine is used up to make tea. Before I leave, I ask Poppy what her advice would be to create a bedroom to be proud of. “Collect organic material and keep gifts to decorate your room with. Because we move each year, people tend to buy furniture from IKEA. Don’t do that. Go to second hand shops and look out for what people are throwing away.” Poppy likes to give pre-loved objects a second chance to sparkle - So why don’t you give it a try too? It’s the only sure way to create a magical bedroom.
The Village
Coffee in Style; Where to Go? By LAURA PALOMA
30 ml - Mariastraat 35 “30 ml” is without a doubt the city’s ultimate coffee guru. The variety of exotic beans is enough to impress any coffee devotee. Ethiopia, Brazil or even El Salvador - They have beans from all. The smell of the roasting coffee beans will guarantee you a temporary escape. Centrally located, (across from the HEMA downtown) this coffee Valhalla is popular with locals and always busy. Furnished with rustic wooden tables and instant access to Wi-Fi, it has a laidback “gezellig” atmosphere and is an ideal place to meet up with friends or to bring your laptop and study.
Blackbird – Oudegracht 222 Beautifully located on the Oudegracht, “Blackbird” offers a parallel world where vintage race bikes hang on walls. Sit on retro furniture, eat plum pie off flowery plates and sip on their specialty; slow brewed coffee with poise. Go to “Blackbird” and expect to be served with care and attention. The food is nothing short of delicious: give the ginger lemon tea a try or sip on some of their tasty slow juice - perhaps even snack on the homemade banana chocolate cake. It is a quiet place to study or merely just lie back on their comfy green couch. Decorated with style, it is a true haven of tranquility in the heart of Utrecht.
The Village – Voorstraat 46 If you are brave enough to step into Utrecht’s hipster hub, you shall be rewarded with specialty music and coffee. “The Village” serves the latter in all its variations, shapes and forms. Sit outside on one of their trendy benches and look down upon the less trendy muggle-like population buzzing through Voorstraat. Yes, you’re allowed to, simply because you’re enjoying the hippest place in town. Bring your books and study in the most fashionable way at a table in the back or just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. Feast your eyes on the good-looking baristas whilst contemplating the idea of getting a tattoo to fit right into the “The Village” scene. Try the cheesecake and take home a few stickers!
Goede Vrijdag – Oosterkade 1 Venture out to the very end of the Oudegracht and you will stumble upon this funky little place. “Goede Vrijdag” is a former bridge watchtower that has been wonderfully “pimped up”. A blast from the past; it is filled to the brim with retro oddities. Drink coffee or sip on rhubarb lemonade amongst Jesus figurines, old school badminton racquets and outdated magazines. The best phrase to describe this time capsule installation is “echt heel leuk!” Kitsch is the new cool so before you leave, peek into their disco themed toilet - you won’t regret it! Lucky for you, all their items are for sale, so there are no sad goodbyes to your new stuffed ferret friend.
Blackbird
SECRETS OF
AMOROUSNESS By ANNE-SOPHIE HALBERTSMA With steady steps and constant pace you nourish all my brighter dreams, reminding me of correct roads and guiding me through wilder streams. With forceful arms and tender hands you hold me in the darker days, hushing away all my despairs and curing me from gloomy ways. With teasing eyes and loving laughs you teach me what is happiness, passionately endeavouring the secrets of amorousness. With gentle voice and honest words you paint the future of our souls, lifting me upwards to your stars and showing me the greater goals. When the sun retrieves its beams your soothing breath is all I hear, pressing me gently to your chest, I pray that always you’ll stay near.
the Boomerang | September 2014
10 COLOSSEUM
Where the Wild Things Are Pleinvrees Heroes; a Review By ANNE-SOPHIE HALBERTSMA
H
idden between large concrete building blocks and the occasional lost tree and garbage bag, the wonders of Pleinvrees Heroes festival are located. It is on this rare piece of nature surrounded by reed fields in Amsterdam, that many exoticlooking techno/house fans gather to spend a day of absolute magic. Walking through the entrance gates – after being semi-thoroughly body searched for any illicit drugs – one is immediately flabbergasted by the atmosphere of freedom and creativity. There is a flying-carpet-like rainbow hammock, a slightly sexual yoga tent, completely random and somewhat disturbing sounds in the toilets, extremely muscular male masseurs in speedo’s and finally a steaming hot-tub contributing to this impression. It is also the colourful flags decorating the stages, the bluish carpet covered pillars piercing the sky, the psychedelic tipis, the insect bar, the clothing-exchange booth and the masses of people that all find themselves in different states of complete ecstasy. Everywhere one sees smiling faces. “Excuses me” and “Thank you” reverberate on the terrain instead of curses and people rudely pushing through the crowd. Occasionally strangers stop to ask how you are doing, complement each other, inform where you come from and tap you on the shoulder. Hugs are shared with friends and foes, relatives and outsiders. There are men dressed in ties and shirts dancing together with pot smoking hippies, occasionally signing thumbs-up to the woman with the navel piercing and leather jeans who is pushing
the wheelchair of the completely hammered twenty-year old boy. At the shabby café on wheels the man in the crocodile outfit meets an old rock-‘n-roll fan who gladly introduces him to his newly made hipster friends eating roasted grasshoppers. Everywhere one looks, different people share happiness and forget just this day the slumbers of reality. But let’s not forget the most important thing of all, the music! Listening to the cheerful and clever melodies dispersed with instruments ranging from fragile violins to flawless saxophones of Alle Farben, the patience and expectations of the audience are carried to unknown heights. Then, the inner beasts are released with the raw, insane, brutal but perfectly dosed tunes of Kölsch. It is lovely lady Illesnoise who gently but surely guides her public to higher states of mind. The charismatic duo Andhim makes sure that all the arms mechanically continue punching the air and the tired feet revive again and start dancing as if there was no muscle pain. At the end of the night, to the impressive dark sounds of firework, the last note vibrates in the air, the final bass line echoes through the bodies, the remaining fists pump, the surviving eyes shimmer in the fading lights and the hearts are happy. With satisfied souls and loving hands the festivalgoers slowly return to earth and start leaving the terrain. Some tired, some still jumping around while screaming for tickets to various after-parties. One phrase spoken by a boy looking as if he had just discovered paradise, captures the moment in all its grandeur: “All is good. Tonight, all is good.”
in this picture: Anne-Sophie Halbertsma
The Old Pine Fell By BIRGIT HASENACK
“Y
ou want me to say something profound now, isn’t it?” We are halfway through the show and Ben Howard has not proven himself to be an elaborate speaker. Wearing a tattered shirt and smiling timidly, he comes across as shy and boyish. No words are needed to be profound, though, as his music speaks plenty for itself. The boy from Devon makes place for the artist that broke into the charts with Keep Your Head Up in 2011. The 27-year old singer was in Amsterdam to promote his new album, which will be released on October 17th. For those waiting for something similar to Every Kingdom, his new music might come as an unpleasant surprise. This new album, I Forget Where We Were, consists of songs that are heavier than the lighthearted summer tunes of his previous album. Touring for the past years, perhaps the transition from seas to cities has found its way into Howard’s songs, a change already apparent with the release of the dark Burgh Island EP in 2012. His acoustic guitar has made way for an electric one and the songs have become more complex. There are more instrumentals, guitar effects and drums. However, this does not mean that Howard has completely metamorphosed: influences of past songs echo in Conrad and In Dreams. Perhaps it feels most like seeing an old friend
you have not seen in years; he sounds and acts different, but you can still recognise him. The band will return to Amsterdam for three shows at the Heineken Music Hall in December. Two are sold out, but for the third there are still some tickets left. Call me biased (my friends refer to me as the ‘Ben Howard girl’) but these are songs you need to hear live. Merely listening to the album does not do justice to the emotion captured in a live performance or to the sounds coming solely from the guitar in Howard’s hands.
“Welcome back Howard, welcome back.” The overwhelming response of Paradiso proves that many fans want to join Howard on this new musical journey. No one seemed to mind that famous songs were not part of the playlist; even during the encore there was no sign of Keep Your Head Up or Only Love. Instead, he ended the gig with a six minute long, astounding rendition of The Fear. After a soft ‘dankjewel’ and a lot of waving, he exits the stage. Welcome back Ben Howard, welcome back.
Review: Super Sticky Surfaces By GRISELDA TURANDOT
I
t is often said that in the absurdity of the modern world, it is satire that best and most accurately encapsulates our lives. Perhaps the absurdity of our campus life makes this statement überveracious, but Super Sticky Surfaces- UCU’s long-running live sitcom- does exactly this. Opening its thirteenth season, this first episode marks the last that will be scripted by Koen Omes and Marijn Maas, who are stepping down to make way for new writers. The episode opened with a speech from our beloved Dean- well, the tried-andtested caricature of him anyway- covering the usual discharge of jokes from self-deprecating to highly arrogant. Things went from pontificating about the value- or lack thereof- of our degrees to declaring: “Every
university college student in the Netherlands has one thing in common: they all applied to UCU!” With every utterance resulting in a roar of laughter from the packed auditorium. This rendition was followed by the more familiar set up- the Introweek family. Each character representing one of the many stereotypes of our own student body. As every student by now realizes, a tame evening in the unit is only ever the precursor to that glorious chant: “To the bar!” And it was here where the dating life of UCU would be satirised. To begin with, equivalating hooking-up to hunting, though mildly clichéd, was performed with such vibrant merriment. However the hilarity of this paled in comparison to its corresponding description in which hooking-up was likened to Russia annexing
Crimea. On the other side, the women were inventing a whole new lexicon- elucidating
“...a charming way to reinforce any message new students might have missed during Introweek.” the concepts of a home, hostel and hotel. All this came to two less-than-profound, yet very UCU conclusion: Firstly, that you can be
however you want to be- whether a Russian rockstar or a cross-dresser; secondly, that relationships at UCU seem to work backwards. All in all, a charming way to reinforce any message new students might have missed during Introweek. Though this account may imply a sort of lukewarm mediocrity to this instalment of SSS, that is not wholly precise. The general topic of Introweek was very restricting, and possibly impossible to do without- at least for second and third yearscoming across as a little repetitive. One struggles to escape that this alone reductively impacted upon the show. Nonetheless, the terrific performances retained a strong sense of amusement- and sometimes bafflementamongst the audience throughout.
a University College Student Association Magazine
On Going Home By DOMINIC STEPHEN
I
distinctly remember how I felt during the journey to university. Behind me my familiar English home slowly diminished. From the familiar leafy East London suburbs, my thoughts now turned to the overnight ferry. It was headed for Hoek van Holland, to me an oddly spelled, foreign place. Fear and excitement had merged into a single blurry sensation; greater independence and responsibility shimmered just over the horizon; expectations of the much-celebrated ‘freedom of the undergraduate student’ were creeping in, along with the clammy palms of anxiety. Anyone already having traversed the strange world of university and student life would probably have said that all these feelings - these worries and romantic projections of the future - were completely expected and understandable. Indeed, just as they arose expectedly, largely grounded in naivety and inexperience, they soon subsided. Independence is something we learn to grow into; it is a blank canvas, an empty space of freedom that we gradually colour. We fill it with hobbies, travel, books, new relationships, new commitments... They pose challenges to us, but none particularly insurmountable or disarming. Now, having spent a year living mostly away from home, concerns less simple to answer have been brought to awareness - problems unrelated to academic work, a hyper-social campus or the timeconsuming toils of administration. Rather, these problems relate to the peculiar sense of living out two separate lives spread across two entirely distinct spheres. They are questions of home, of belonging, and of building a new life on unfamiliar ground. They are from the realization that, in response to the different people and routines that comprise a life, who we become is both a reaction to what our environment expects of us and what we give in return. These expectations change and, through adaptation, so do we. I inhabit a younger, London-based self for certain months of the year, and what I hope is a more mature, considerate and educated individual when living in The Netherlands. Although over time I have identified more strongly with the latter, there remains undeniably a tension between the two. A sense of
disorientation can arise - ‘where is ‘home’, and to whom do I belong?’ - and a clear identity increasingly slippery and difficult to define.
“On returning to an environment, it is easy to slot back into the roles we have spent our whole lives carving for ourselves. “ On returning to an environment, it is easy to slot back into the roles we have spent our whole lives carving for ourselves. Our peers give us a well-lubricated mould into which it is so tempting to slide back into. We are reminded of the old habits and affectations that used to define us and contributed to our previous sense of meaning. Although these have changed whilst living abroad, establishing a new identity amongst a drowning myriad of well-grounded traditions at home can be difficult. Defying the outdated expectations offered to us by our family and friends – in other words simply choosing to live, behave and express ourselves as we now ideally wish to – can often feel like too much of an emotional challenge. Particular behaviours, opinions and habits developed in one sphere can seem out of place if applied within the other – ‘What’s wrong Dom? You’ve changed’. Not having followed the new paths taken in our parallel life abroad – and us equally unfamiliar with the changes in our peers - we may find it surprising to come to terms with fresh attitudes and approaches to life adopted over the past year. It takes time for the deeply rooted understandings we have of our closest friends to adapt – to reflect more accurately the person they have now grown into. It may be easier to make the excuse that the gained authenticity between friends is not worth the emotional trouble attached to its even-
- the stolen space -
see Editorial (P02)
tual achievement. Arguably international students generally feel this ‘crisis of identity’ more acutely than those with parents already living in Holland. Through regularly returning home, the Dutch student can provide their family and friends with a consistent update of changed beliefs, maturing experiences and new routines. In this way, the slightly more independent (hopefully) and responsible (hopefully) individual can quickly reintegrate back into familiar family life. Roles and expectations do not freeze but steadily roll forward. Meanwhile, for the international student, who goes home sometimes only once a year, conversations over Skype, made however regularly, can only ever convey a limited summary of the individual. My parents know that I went on a bicycle ride early the other morning, that I had a difficult philosophy essay to write, that I discovered a new type of stroopwafel at Albert Heijn, and that the weather in Utrecht is not so different to London. But these snapshots of a life are merely that – they are superficial fragments plucked from a continuous reel of changing reflections and considerations on life, love, friendships and future. They reveal only two black-and-white dimensions of a multi-coloured, three-dimensional life. More shared time is needed for reflections of greater significance (on sexuality, politics, drugs and the environment for example) to be comfortably communicated.
with which one their Home perhaps now requires reconsideration, doubt, even a rejection of the concept altogether. “ The ties binding one to home have been loosened, and the roots of a new life in Utrecht lack true depth. In this way, a veil of unfamiliarity and disconnection hangs over both lives across the waters separating England and The Netherlands, the very waters crossed by my overnight ferry in August last year. An awkward game of tug-o’war ensues, with each country competing to be the exclusive receiver of emotional commitment. Friendships are built on shared memories, and emigration temporarily fractures this common narrative and stable reference point. The confidence with which one is able to define their Home perhaps now requires reconsideration, doubt, even a rejection of the concept altogether. In spreading out a life between two mutually foreign places, perhaps the international student is temporarily exiled, without identity and homeless.
COLOSSEUM 11
Go Out and See Some Stuff, God Dammit By THE BOOMERANG BOARD Till 3rd October - Netherlands Film Fes-
tival. 400 films shown in 15 different locations. Great procrastination. There really is no excuse; see the website for English-spoken/ subtitled films. www.filmfestival.nl 5th October - Fat White Family at EKKO. The gig to go to if you want to be simultaneously sweaty and trendy. 7th October – Yann Tiersen at Tivoli Vredenburg. For lovers of Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain, Tiersen composed the music. 10th October - Maximo Park come to Tivoli. Set to be quite average. 10th October - Kill All Hipsters in Tivoli. Release your inner-hipster to the beats of Arctic Monkeys, Icona Pop, Major Lazer & friends. 11th October - Rachel Sermanni at Tivoli. This Scottish folk singer has the ability to leave goosebumps on your arms long after you leave. 11th October - Afrovibes Festival Dance Performances at Stadsschouwburg Utrecht. For more information visit www.afrovibes.nl. 12th October - If you’re into some chill electro funk, The Caribou are playing at Melkweg Amsterdam. 17th - 19th October - Bock festival at Ledig Erf Three days of brilliant beer tasting that finds its epitome on Sunday with the election of the ‘Topbock’. Entrance is free. 18th October - TASSO at Schouwburg. Using Goethean literature, this performance by the National Theatre examines the role of the artist in the contemporary world. 25th October - Duurzame Huizen Route. The sustainability-conscious show off how great their homes are at saving the dolphins. Look up the route on their website and think of some questions about solar panels to ask the homeowners. 25th October - Nacht van de Nacht. A nationwide appreciation of darkness. The university museum in Utrecht opens its doors at 19:00 for a “use your senses” experience. The Dom tower will be unlit. Spooky.
26th October until 8th November - International Frans Litszt Piano concours, one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, previously won by pianists such as Wibi Soerjadi, a man who has allegedly insured his hands. 28th October - The man, the myth, the legend: Morrissey is coming to Utrecht...
30th Octber until 7th November
- Indiestad, a whole week dedicated to the best indie has to offer, with festival London Calling (31 Oct-1 Nov) as a personal favourite. A cheap and easy way to discover new music and get yourself through that autumn blues.
12 “Create a two line poem on the spot”
“When the water turns ice, our hearts grow cold.” - Michelle, 2nd year
“That Aloe Vera drank - an oasis in action” - Santiago, 3rd year
“The sun shines on your face. The ghost of her past haunted her.” - Heloise, 1st year
“I’m so sad, I just wish I was in my bed.” Sanne, 1st year
“Keep wandering, and pondering.” - Henk, 1st year
“Techno cat, Monsieur Jacques - come back to me.” - Naomi, 2nd year
“Where are my sunglasses? I am blinded by loss.” - Jip, 2nd year
“I’m tired; super sleepy, I want a sliver machine.” - Marco, 3rd year
“This banana tastes mushy, if only I was too.” - Dominic, 2nd year
EDITORS Emma Braningen Jacob Hillman Deirdre van den Bos Emily Akdogan Anne Lucassen Joachim Mc Donald Meike Brouwer
BOOMERANG BOARD FALL ‘14 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Executive Editor & Secretary Executive Editor & Treasurer Managing Editor Art & Layout Director
Omar Nur-Nathoo Rosalie Fidder Grace Hardman Lucie Kattenbroek Alexander Davey Lucas Koppen
The new Boomerang Board for Fall ‘14