Bikes, beers and questionable prizes: Kevin and Dora took on KEI-week

From culture shocks to pub crawls and dating preferences: Kevin and Dora threw themselves into KEI-week to find out how internationals experience Groningen’s infamous introduction week.

Over five days, they visited everything from the KEI Parade and Sports Plaza to the pub crawl and KEI Festival. Along the way, they asked internationals about culture shocks, dating, going out and their first impressions of Groningen. They also handed out some remarkably underwhelming prizes.

Episode 2: Beer, new friends & Groningen

By episode two, the first KEI groups have formed. So, how are the internationals getting along with the (mostly Dutch) strangers they will spend the week with?

‘I love it. It’s great people,’ says one student. Groningen itself also receives some glowing reviews. Asked about the best thing in the city, however, several students arrive at exactly the same answer: beer.

Others mention the people and the city itself. And when Dora encounters some particularly creative interviewing via Snapchat, she immediately spots potential new HanzeMAG talent.

Episode 3: Chaos at the KEI Parade

The KEI Parade is not exactly the place to go for peace and quiet. There are crowds, music, buses, student organisations and enough free merchandise to keep Kevin and Dora occupied.

‘Today we’re at the KEI Parade and I have never been more overstimulated in my life,’ Dora announces.

The pair collect stickers, hats and flyers before jumping aboard the ESN-Groningen (Erasmus Student Network) bus, where internationals hear about another introduction week specifically aimed at them. Could you even meet your future soulmate there? Apparently, that possibility cannot be ruled out.

Episode 4: Finish the lyrics

At Night of the Songs, Kevin and Dora have a challenge: finish the lyrics. Three rounds go from easy to increasingly difficult, ending with a Dutch song that proves slightly more challenging.

There is, of course, a prize at stake. The lucky winner receives watermelon mouth spray. Why? Because during KEI Week ‘you meet a lot of people’ and apparently fresh breath is essential.

It may not be the prize they expected, but it is certainly a prize.

Episode 5: Planks, sports and more beer

Time for some exercise. At the Sports Plaza, Kevin and Dora meet Groningen’s student sports associations and try some activities themselves.

A supposedly friendly plank challenge quickly becomes painful, while students explain why newcomers should consider joining their associations. The selling points vary considerably.

One association offers ‘football, beer, cheap beer’. A wakeboarding association goes for ‘boards, booties and beers’. Sport is clearly only part of the experience.

Episode 6: How expensive can one night get?

During the pub crawl, there is one important question: how much money can you actually burn through on a night out?

One student estimates £100. Another has managed €250. Someone else knows a KEI participant who apparently spent more than €300 in a single day. ‘He was crying the next day.’

Kevin and Dora also investigate the essentials for a night out. Answers include condoms, sunglasses and a good outfit. One student does not even bother with a bag: everything she needs fits into her pockets.

Episode 7: Do you know your movie quotes?

At Movie Night, it is time to test some cinematic knowledge. Can students recognise famous lines from *Mean Girls*, *James Bond*, *Dirty Dancing* and *Titanic*?

Not always. ‘Shaken, not stirred’ somehow leads to Sherlock Holmes before James Bond finally enters the conversation.

Once again, there is a spectacular prize waiting for the winners: three grams of Sour Patch Kids. To share.

‘Exactly what we wanted,’ the winners respond.

Episode 8: What are you looking for?

KEI Week is about making friends, but perhaps some students are hoping to meet someone else as well.

At Let’s KEI Together, Kevin and Dora ask partygoers what they look for in a partner. Curly blond hair, short guys, biceps and a cute smile all make the list.

The turn offs are equally specific: lying, eating noisily and chain smoking. Although one student adds an important qualification to that last one: smoking becomes particularly offensive when someone does not offer her a cigarette.

And Dora? She wants someone fun, funny and cute. Unless your name happens to be Jude Bellingham, in which case the selection procedure may be considerably shorter.

Episode 9: Energy level 6000

The final day has arrived, but the internationals do not appear ready to stop yet. At the KEI Festival, Kevin and Dora hit the silent disco and check how everyone has survived the week.

‘I think we got really lucky with our group. Felt at home right away,’ says one participant.

And the energy levels after several days of introduction activities? Apparently around ‘6,000’, which should be enough to keep partying until six in the morning.

The cameras eventually go off, but the night continues with an afterparty, some ‘authentic Italian cuisine’ and Kevin almost dropping Dora.

Episode 10: That’s a wrap

There is one small problem with filming at the KEI Festival: Kevin and Dora start partying and occasionally forget that they are supposed to be working.

After several interviews without actually pressing record, they manage to ask students for their final verdict. The scores are convincing: ‘10 out of 10’, ‘11 out of 10’ and even ‘10 plus’.

Favourite moments range from parties and meeting people to watching the solar eclipse together. One veteran is experiencing their third KEI-week and admits to feeling ‘a bit tired and a bit old’.

For Kevin and Dora, it is time to clock out too. Ten episodes, countless interviews and several questionable prizes later, their KEI-week is officially over.