There’s nothing like student life in Venlo. [Laughs] Maybe I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but it definitely has its perks. The University College has around 150 students, spread across three years, so we’re a small, close-knit community. It makes it easy to organise events or find a workout buddy or just someone to hang out with. And there’s plenty to explore; it’s not as quiet as you might think. When I found out the programme wasn’t in Maastricht, I first looked up pictures of Venlo. I later visited the city with my father and brother. I could see myself living here – it’s pretty, and safe.
What did you want to be when you were younger? I went through a lot of different phases. For a time, I wanted to be a baker. Mainly because of my huge sweet tooth. I still love to bake and get creative with food, but it’s just a hobby.
"I'm designing a module on women's health for my thesis"
What’s the last book you read? Rebel Bodies by Sarah Graham, about the gender health gap. Drugs are often only tested on men, women tend to be taken less seriously by doctors and we actually know very little about women’s health issues like reproductive diseases. I think it’s such an important topic, which is why I’m designing a module on women’s health for my thesis. We get to choose our own courses, but there’s no women’s health module, even though the programme focuses on health and nutrition and 95 per cent of the students are women. If one existed, it would’ve been my first choice. Hopefully, it’ll be introduced in the future – who knows, maybe thanks to my thesis.
I take after… my mother. According to my grandmother and aunt, it’s in certain facial expressions and gestures I make. I also have her strong will and her independent attitude. She passed away when I was thirteen. She had an autoimmune disease that suddenly worsened, causing complications. Maybe that’s why I’m so interested in women’s health care. It turned my life upside down. Fortunately, I got a lot of support from my family – not just my father and brother, but also my uncle and aunt. I moved in with them because my father had to travel a lot for his job with the United Nations, my brother had already started university.
"Once trust has been established, I’m there for you no matter what"
What were you like as a child? Very curious. I was always asking my mother, “Can I ask a question?” I could be very shy, which sometimes made it hard to make friends as we moved often. But I was also happy and cheerful, always laughing – except when I was fighting with my brother, then I’d get very aggressive. I was very much his little sister – he’s six years older than me – and I was always getting him in trouble. We’re very close now, he’s my best friend, my protector. He also lives in the Netherlands; he’s doing a master’s in Groningen. I can always count on him, whether it’s for practical advice about living in the Netherlands or just for a good chat. But we’re still good at arguing. [Laughs]
I’m a good friend because… I’m very loyal. Once trust has been established, I’m there for you no matter what. I’m very protective. My friends say it helps to talk to me when something is bothering them. I think I’m a good shoulder to cry on.
I still want to learn… to become more confident and see my own worth and potential. I’ve faced a lot of racism, and those experiences have made me insecure at times. When I was younger, we often lived in predominantly white neighbourhoods – my brother and I were the only mixed-race kids. People would comment on my skin colour and hair.
"I do believe in a higher power, but not necessarily God"
What’s the hardest part of love? Truly opening up to someone else. My boyfriend and I have been together for almost a year now; this is my first relationship. My parents got divorced when I was very young, so I didn’t have an example of what a healthy relationship looks like or how to navigate the merging of two lives and cultures – he’s from Venlo, I’m from Portugal. It can be challenging, but I think we’re doing well so far. He makes me very happy.
What’s your dream holiday? I’m lucky to have visited a lot of places with my parents. I’d love to go back to Thailand or Bali. The scenery is stunning, and both places radiate a kind of spirituality that I find very peaceful. I was raised Catholic, but after my mother’s passing, I lost my faith a bit. Now, I do believe in a higher power, but not necessarily God. I don’t pray, but I do things that some people might do as part of their religion, like meditating, keeping a journal and practising positive affirmations.
"I hope to make a difference in the world"
In ten years… I hope to be making a difference in the world, to have a positive impact in whatever way I can. It would be wonderful if I could use my studies to do that. I’d love to have my own nutritional health business. I’m not sure exactly what it would look like yet, but I’d like to help people lead healthier, better lives. I also hope to be financially stable by then, with my own house. Whether that’s in the Netherlands or Portugal, I’m not sure yet – as long as I can see my family regularly. I’d especially like to build a stronger bond with my father. He was often away for work, but now that I’m an adult too, we can both put effort into our relationship.