Hi! I’m Austin, a Religious Studies BA student here in Groningen. Coming from California originally I moved here when I was 18 to finish high school and then started at the RUG, eventually finding the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society. This year I am finishing up some final courses and will be writing my thesis.

A bit unusual but my time here has been interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, as well as my level of activity within the faculty, having served on multiple committees, the board of our lovely student association, Gerardus van der Leeuw, a mentor to first years, and more recently as a member of the faculty council, program committee for the BA, and now as a student ambassador and student assistant to the Center for Religion and Heritage. While these activities are a lot, and seem like even more when I write them out like this, it has all been educational as well as a fulfilling way to give back to a community that has been nothing but supportive and welcoming. 

This year my courses started with Concepts and Methods 2, a course that has a split focus on both working with historical sources, as well as designing and performing a sociological research project. This course, taught by Julia Martinez-Arriño and Todd Weir is something that I have struggled with in the past, however these are also elements that make it a good course. While Todd focuses on historical methods, including working with the book The Cheese and the Worms, by Carlo Ginzburg, and writing a book review for the book of our choice. For this I selected Fundamentalism and American Culture, by George Marsden, a topic that is increasingly relevant and important as an American, as well as describing a movement that continues to incite the so-called culture war taking place in both the US and Europe. 

Talking about the start of the year would not be possible without mentioning the Opening of the Academic Year of our faculty! Along with the speeches and ceremonial gifting of the new name plaque, we also had a great dinner which was followed by ice cream and coffee. Before we fully shifted to party-mode, we also have some games organized for the students and staff by Gerardus, including a sack race, a doughnut hang, and finally tug of war between staff and students.  

At der Aa-Theater we had an amazing performance by the faculty’s band, Best Kees Scenario, along with drinks and dancing until late in the evening. A sign of all successful parties, the next day the faculty was subdued, with most lights being turned off and the lectures being given at a lower volume than usual. All in all, a great way to kick off the year and to formally celebrate our new name! 

The first three weeks have flown by, seeing old friends again, having opening meetings for my dispute, M.A.T.A., having first meetings for the Faculty Council, and starting new jobs and responsibilities, including my very first meeting for the Center for Religion and Heritage, which I have just come from. And while I could write much more about how these first weeks back have gone, I need to get going in order to have time for dinner before Gerardus’s first borrel of the year which will also announce the theme for our association’s 20th anniversary celebration in the spring!