Which country can compete with our student folklore ?
Hello Everyone,
I am Belgian, I grew up in Belgium, I still live in Belgium and so in the logic of my life I am now at university in Belgium. When I returned to university I discovered what student folklore was, which I had already heard about without really knowing what it was and I have to tell you about it ! Which country can really claim to have the best student folklore other than Belgium ? Which country can claim to have as many students who party as much as Belgium ?
The tradition of baptism, let’s talk about it ! Probably one of the most criticized points of student folklore. Maybe some people who will read this post do not know what the tradition of baptism is. To put it simply, it is a tradition where New students are teased during activities by other students who have already been baptized. I personally did the baptism this year and it is perhaps one of the best experiences that I have been able to do in my life so far. Of course I will not reveal any information about what is really happening during baptism activities, only the baptized can know it. However, one thing I can tell you is that baptism allowed me to meet a large number of people that I probably would never have met otherwise. The folklore, evenings and events organized as part of the baptism and student folklore also allow students not to remain alone because this is a real social concern for some students. Baptism is absolutely not obligatory and does not allow us to access academic content that other non-baptized people would not have access to as some people say, however non-baptism fully immerses us in student folklore and allows us to discover a whole new world. Be aware, however, that not all baptisms are equal; there are big differences depending on the city and university. The free universities (ULB, ...) and the Christian universities (UCL, ...) are very different in terms of baptismal traditions. Furthermore, as with everything in Belgium, there are also differences between the Flemish and French-speaking parts. However, this is only a difference within the folklore, from an external point of view there is little difference.
Student folklore also includes the 24-hour bike race, the Saint Verhaegen and other folk events where students from all over Belgium meet to drink beers and have fun. Do you know a country where students party as much as Belgian students ? In addition, outside of these events, universities provide rooms for students to party outside of the blockade periods. The Jefke in Brussels, the Bunker in Mons and many others allowing students to party until 3am, 4am and often even later while having class the next day in addition to the presence of student-run bars on campus where students often meet to drink beer between classes before going home. These events are also an opportunity to practice the Olympic student sport : "L’affond". The rules ? There aren't any. The objective ? Drink a glass of beer as quickly as possible in front of your opponent.
Of course there are some abuses. The tradition of baptism is often criticized by some people who have already had to go to the hospital after accidents and some people have even died. In addition, some people do not understand why new students should go and get fucked by other students for fun. However, it is up to each person to form their own opinion. But you will not come across anyone who has regretted being baptized. Excessive alcohol consumption is also often criticized. It is true that some students fall into alcoholism or find themselves very ill on Tuesday morning after a party. It is important to control your alcohol consumption. Some studies have also shown that some of the students who benefited from folklore could be categorized as alcoholics based on the quantity they consumed and the frequency.
Student folklore may seem foreign to people who don't experience it. However, this adds to the already very developed Belgian folklore and culture and that's why I love my country.
Hello Everyone,
I am Belgian, I grew up in Belgium, I still live in Belgium and so in the logic of my life I am now at university in Belgium. When I returned to university I discovered what student folklore was, which I had already heard about without really knowing what it was and I have to tell you about it ! Which country can really claim to have the best student folklore other than Belgium ? Which country can claim to have as many students who party as much as Belgium ?
The tradition of baptism, let’s talk about it ! Probably one of the most criticized points of student folklore. Maybe some people who will read this post do not know what the tradition of baptism is. To put it simply, it is a tradition where New students are teased during activities by other students who have already been baptized. I personally did the baptism this year and it is perhaps one of the best experiences that I have been able to do in my life so far. Of course I will not reveal any information about what is really happening during baptism activities, only the baptized can know it. However, one thing I can tell you is that baptism allowed me to meet a large number of people that I probably would never have met otherwise. The folklore, evenings and events organized as part of the baptism and student folklore also allow students not to remain alone because this is a real social concern for some students. Baptism is absolutely not obligatory and does not allow us to access academic content that other non-baptized people would not have access to as some people say, however non-baptism fully immerses us in student folklore and allows us to discover a whole new world. Be aware, however, that not all baptisms are equal; there are big differences depending on the city and university. The free universities (ULB, ...) and the Christian universities (UCL, ...) are very different in terms of baptismal traditions. Furthermore, as with everything in Belgium, there are also differences between the Flemish and French-speaking parts. However, this is only a difference within the folklore, from an external point of view there is little difference.
Student folklore also includes the 24-hour bike race, the Saint Verhaegen and other folk events where students from all over Belgium meet to drink beers and have fun. Do you know a country where students party as much as Belgian students ? In addition, outside of these events, universities provide rooms for students to party outside of the blockade periods. The Jefke in Brussels, the Bunker in Mons and many others allowing students to party until 3am, 4am and often even later while having class the next day in addition to the presence of student-run bars on campus where students often meet to drink beer between classes before going home. These events are also an opportunity to practice the Olympic student sport : "L’affond". The rules ? There aren't any. The objective ? Drink a glass of beer as quickly as possible in front of your opponent.
Of course there are some abuses. The tradition of baptism is often criticized by some people who have already had to go to the hospital after accidents and some people have even died. In addition, some people do not understand why new students should go and get fucked by other students for fun. However, it is up to each person to form their own opinion. But you will not come across anyone who has regretted being baptized. Excessive alcohol consumption is also often criticized. It is true that some students fall into alcoholism or find themselves very ill on Tuesday morning after a party. It is important to control your alcohol consumption. Some studies have also shown that some of the students who benefited from folklore could be categorized as alcoholics based on the quantity they consumed and the frequency.
Student folklore may seem foreign to people who don't experience it. However, this adds to the already very developed Belgian folklore and culture and that's why I love my country.