My mother thinks I’m… When I was younger, she would’ve said I was incredibly hyper. I’ve calmed down a bit since then. Now, she’d say I speak my mind and can’t stand injustice – I stand up for people who are struggling. Growing up in a religious family in the Dutch Bible Belt, I was taught that if you want change, you have to be willing to make a difference. That’s why I’m involved with the [Christian political party] ChristenUnie. And I speak up when I feel someone is being treated unfairly, like in tutorials. I have a sharp tongue; if something bothers me, people will hear about it.
Beer or Bible? [Laughs] Why not both? As a Christian, I’m free to enjoy God’s blessings, and that includes a beer now and then. You can often find me at the bar here in our student association building. Besides, some of the best conversations about faith happen over a beer.
"I don't want to blindly follow the 'study, work, retire, die' path"
In ten years, I’ll be… I used to think I knew what I wanted: be a legislative lawyer at the Council of State, or maybe work in corporate or tax law – I enjoy solving abstract problems. But I’m not so sure that’s what I want anymore. I don’t want to blindly follow the “study, work, retire, die” path. I want to live with purpose. I’m not entirely sure how yet, but there’s so much more to life than work. Really connecting with the people in your community, for example, and helping friends and neighbours. Or the man outside my local supermarket asking if I can spare some change – as long as I can afford to shop at Albert Heijn, I can spare some change. In that sense, living as a Christian is as simple as you make it. The main rule I try to live by is: love your neighbour as you love yourself, and love God above all.
Everyone should read this book. I have ADHD, so it’s hard for me to focus on books. I don’t read much outside of my studies, but I love the wisdom literature of the Bible – like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes – and I finished Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama in two days. He writes very candidly about his search for his roots and the struggles that came with it. I prefer films, especially war films like Midway and Fury. They’re dramatised, of course, but they remind us that peace in Europe isn’t a given – people made sacrifices for it.
"I’m terrible at taking compliments. If someone tells me, “Good job!” I’ll immediately downplay it"
What music do you love? Dutch music by artists like Merol and Roxy Dekker. But I also love Elvis Presley and Dire Straits – older music, a love I share with my father. I study well to Dutch Carnaval music; it cheers me up when I have to read thick textbooks. And I like to listen to Eminem’s rap while working on assignments.
I love getting compliments. I’m terrible at taking compliments. If someone tells me, “Good job!” I’ll immediately downplay it. My friends say I should take life a bit easier and stop trying to carry everyone’s burdens. They feel it takes a toll on me, but I don’t see it that way. I just like to be of service. It’s how I was raised, but I also struggled with depression and burnout when I was about sixteen. My friends and family really got me through that period. Now, I want to be there for others. Social media makes it look like life is perfect, but I want people to know it’s okay if things feel dark sometimes – and that the light can come back.
"I thought: I love cycling, there are hills there, I'll just go for it. Regrets? None. Though, in my four years in Maastricht, I still haven't taken out my racing bike even once"
This is how I relax. By heading out with a backpack, a tent and my percolator – good coffee is important, even on the go. Last year, I went to Scotland for the first time. The landscapes there are stunning. I went back this year, on my own – I really enjoy being by myself. Closer to home, I like to go to Sint-Pietersberg or take the bus and get off at a random stop to explore the Dutch Hills.
As a non-Limburger in Maastricht, I feel… [Chuckles] I originally planned to go to Leiden University, but they require a certificate in Dutch on pre-university education (VWO) level. I didn’t finish secondary school; I worked for a few years and got a higher professional education (HBO) first-year certificate through the 21+ admissions test. Three days before the application deadline, one of my father’s colleagues mentioned how impressed he was with Maastricht Law graduates: “They’ve had Problem-Based Learning, so they don’t need hand-holding.” That sounded good to me. And I thought: I love cycling, there are hills there, I’ll just go for it. Regrets? None – I felt at home here from day one. Though, in my four years in Maastricht, I still haven’t taken out my racing bike even once…