“Giving this workshop within Incluusion felt like a way of returning the love.”
Students lead their own workshops at Incluusion Community
Today on World Refugee Day, we would like to highlight the achievements of two Incluusion students. Nadin is a multimedia artist who happens to also be an Incluusion student. This combination led to her organising two linoleum printing workshops for the Incluusion Community, UU’s diversity network for and by refugees.
Nadin shares: “I’ve been leading creative workshops for over a year now, and doing them with Incluusion feels very meaningful - it is a way of giving back to a community that has given me so many joyful moments and connections.”
Proudly watching creativity unfold
Her workshops turned out to be an incredible few hours of mindfulness and socializing. In her latest workshop, participants could choose their own design to print on a tote bag. Many different ideas were substantialized through the diverse lino creations. “I was genuinely surprised by how big the groups were, I hadn’t expected so many people to show up! During the sessions, I felt proud seeing the creativity unfold. Everyone’s lino prints turned out beautifully. The whole space was filled with energy and inspiration.”
Connecting through Art
Two other Incluusion students, Feras and Ray, also organised their own art workshop for the Incluusion Community. This time, the workshop was about using different techniques to paint on a t-shirt. Feras describes his experiences: “During the workshop, I felt very connected to the group. Everyone was open, engaged, and excited to create. Afterwards, I felt proud and really happy that it went well and that people seemed to enjoy it and take something meaningful away from it.”
So what are the benefits of organizing a workshop such as this? Feras has the perfect answer: “I think it gave people a chance to slow down and just be creative—without pressure. There were a lot of interesting conversations and personal stories shared, and it was beautiful to see how art helped people connect. And the bonus: everyone walked away with a T-shirt they made themselves!”
Student-Led Activities
The strength of the Incluusion Community lies in giving a voice to those who are often unheard. Students themselves can therefore take responsibility to host an event, to organize what they believe suits Incluusion students best. “I believe the workshops offered others a space to create, connect, and have fun together. It encouraged curiosity, not only in exploring the art form, but also in learning about each other’s designs, stories, and personalities. It was a space where creativity opened up conversations and made people feel seen,” mentions Nadin.
Feras concludes: “Incluusion has always felt like my first family in Utrecht. It's a community where I feel supported, safe, and inspired. Being surrounded by people who share similar challenges and hopes, but also bring such unique perspectives and experiences, has helped me grow personally and socially."
Do you have an idea about what our next event should be about, or do you want to organize an event yourself?
Then get in touch with the Incluusion Community through Incluusion-community@uu.nl.