Tackling Inequalities Honours Programme Study Trip to Bochum

The Tackling Inequality honours students brought and exchanged their insights on Rotterdam’s inequalities through their experiences working with Rotterdam’s civil actors. The trip made us realise that despite different industrial past, Bochum and Rotterdam are similar in many ways - Like the city of Rotterdam, Bochum feels down to earth and edgy, and the architecture and aesthetics has a sprinkle of roughness. Beyond the looks and feelings, we also met students and locals who expressed their pride in their working-class culture. What resonates the most, and similarly to Rotterdam, is how citizens tackle inequalities through bottom-up initiatives. For students and the university work together with civil actors is vital for the post-industrial cities like Rotterdam and Bochum. This enriching trip gives us a new perspective on our role as a university, students, and scholars in the Rotterdam society.