Forming new connections with peers
The Erstsemestrigen weekend (ESW) is traditionally the first event many computer science students attend. Since 2016, the Association of Computer Science Students (VIS) has been organizing this gathering to facilitate connections among first-year students, so-called "Erstis". The weekend trip has proven helpful since getting to know people in a new environment can be daunting.
About the author
Florence is a second semester Master's student in Computer Science. As the "Partyperson" of the Association of Computer Science Students (VIS), she is responsible for planning events like the Erstsemestrigen weekend for her fellow students. Her article provides a glimpse into what happened at this year’s Erstsemestrigen weekend.
The anticipation built as eighty enthusiastic Erstis arrived at Zürich main station, having just completed their first week at the Department of Computer Science. The organizers, although fashionably late, brought drinks to kickstart the festivities. And so, the ESW began.
From Friday to Sunday, we found ourselves in the picturesque mountains of Toggenburg. But this weekend was not all leisure – the Erstis had challenges to conquer and talks to listen to. On Friday evening, a Tichu/Chess/Jass tournament ignited their competitive spirits and fostered the formation of smaller groups. There was a hitch on Saturday morning – Björn, the beloved VIS bear mascot, had gone missing. The first-year students refused to let this slide, embarking on a series of puzzles and challenges to track down Björn's whereabouts. Because life without bears would be unbearable.
After Björn the bear had finally been found, three professors joined us in the afternoon. They shared insights into their research, education, and personal lives. The first-year students had the opportunity to ask questions to their lecturers directly, and some of the helpers, who are further along in their studies, brought a student perspective into the discussion. As evening fell, the fun continued with a spontaneous basement rave, creating unforgettable memories and further solidifying the bonds formed during the weekend.
The weekend ended on Sunday as we cleaned up and bid farewell to Toggenburg. However, there was another twist – an imposter had resided among us. One of the helpers, not a computer science student, had infiltrated our weekend to spy on our planning and execution. Only a few of the eighty Erstis discovered the imposter's identity among the helpers. Alongside the winners of the various tournaments and the group that found Björn, they were rewarded with a small prize. Following that eventful weekend, we returned to Zürich main station, where we coincidentally crossed paths with the Computer Science Master Welcome Weekend group. The freshly enrolled Master’s students also had the opportunity to partake in a weekend getaway and connect with their peers.
All things considered, the weekend was a resounding success. After our return, I encountered some groups that had formed at the Erstsemestrigen weekend on campus and during other VIS events. It was also heartening to see a number of those enthusiastic Erstis joining VIS committees. Who knows, among them might even be a future board member.