The opening seminar on 30th August provided a first introduction to each other, students between themselves, the team and the school. In his first lecture, Bram de Muynck, lector of the Education and Identity lectorate, made the students think. What does Christian education actually mean? Answers such as ‘spreading the Gospel’ and ‘helping the community’ pointed to the different contexts the students come from. For our students Christian education is a matter-of-course, but for a country such as China it has a completely different dimension.

True to tradition, the opening of the year took place with all the students of the university in the St. Janskerk. Our guests were welcome too; it was a fascinating experience for them to be together with hundreds of other students. We ended our first day with an introduction game, by which the students learned to know each other in a fun way.

On the second day there was the official opening with the introduction to the different modules and further introduction to the countries through several presentations. A quiz, music, presentation: each one in his own way.

The students closed the day with intercultural training, in which cultural differences were brought forward and discussed. Some of the quotes:
“It’s is really interesting to talk with so many students from so many cultures.” “It is great to meet Christians from all over the world.”
“I am amazed by the different cultures we have, our contexts, ways of life, but I know that this class will bring us together.”

Students and lecturers look forward to continuing to speak about Christian pedagogics for the next twelve weeks.