Before starting university for computer science, I wanted to be a writer or go into some sort of linguistics. But at some point, I decided it's best to leave it as a hobby and enjoy it more that way.
Still, I was really hoping to find a newspaper club or any similar student organisation. I was even thinking of creating one if I had to.
On Welcome Day, my friends and I (still strangers back then) were walking around and searching for a volleyball club for one of us. He went to talk to people at the stand, and I looked around, trying not to stand awkwardly.
As I looked back, I suddenly saw a table that was layered with treasure-like beautiful magazines, all with different colors and designs. I approached not even looking at the people behind the desk, my attention consumed by how wonderful that looked.
I then talked to the people, learnt when and where the meetings were and got "the starter pack" consisting of four issues.
I went to the first meeting with some of my new friends because it was scary to go alone, but I still got very intimidated. People were throwing ideas around, the room was almost visibly painted with colors of imagination and creativity; the people who could so freely express those and share their creations without a second thought were really impressive.
There were so many new people (around 20), and all of them looked like they fit right in. Yet I could not speak a word because of how overwhelming and cool it all looked.
As I left and someone asked "Are you going to come back", I realised that the answer was no. "Maybe next semester", I thought, already regretting that choice.
It wasn't until about a month later, when I had already adjusted to uni life, my friend suddenly called me (Meet my designer!!!*) and was like:
– Sooo I know you wanted to go to the ROUX thing, they just said they need more writers, you in?
– When do I need to decide?
– Now.
And just like that, I became part of something wonderful and cozy. This time when I came to the meeting, they didn't seem to remember me and the flow of newbies subsided, leaving less than half.
And I suddenly felt incredibly welcome and included.
But my first impression of the people and the atmosphere stayed. And still what I like the most about this is that people just throw around ideas and bring them to life and none of the ideas get dismissed or disliked.
When I said "I’d like to write about propaganda", I didn't receive the question, which seemed natural to me: "Why?" Everyone just said "Alright".
In some strange way, I never imagined teamwork like this, beyond a "small group of friends" dynamic, without assigned roles and structures, where whoever wants to write writes, and whoever wants to design designs, to work. And whenever I witness (and participate hehe) in this bundle of chaotic creation, the outcome isn't just this magazine, it's the atmosphere and the jokes of every meeting, made into an everlasting memory.
Written by Maria Mazeina
ROUX Student Magazine is a student club at the University of Luxembourg. Everything in the magazine is 100% made by students for students and now for you :). The article you just read was featured in our Issue 28. You can find all issues digitally or grab the newest one for free physically in our monthly publication events. Contact us on instagram: @roux.magazine or email us on paper.roux@gmail.com.
