What drives you?

I would say that what drives me is the want to get better everyday and live up to my potential. I think that everyone is so much more capable than they think and it feels good to inspire others by working hard.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

I have pretty high expectations for myself when it comes to Uni. I therefore have worked very hard to live up to them. Still, even though Uni has been my priority, I love to have fun with friends which really helps in keeping a good balance.

What drives you?

What drives me is the belief that human beings are inherently good. Only rarely do individuals commit wrongful acts intentionally. Most of the time, they are just consumed by their own thoughts and struggles. When understanding their circumstances and putting yourself in their position, anger or annoyance seems so foolish.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

Keeping this in mind eradicates anxiety when interacting with strangers and it makes you be kind even if others sometimes aren’t. I realized that being angry is a waste of resources during my exchange, and I haven’t felt it since. Instead, I formed many unexpected friendships, also back in Amsterdam.

What drives you?

I wanted to become chair of our student association because I wanted to create the welcoming and open atmosphere for all members, as I always experienced myself. Everyone can be themselves and there are ways to participate for everyone. The members are incredibly active and motivate each other, which gives me a lot of energy and satisfaction. 

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

With my board members we really tried to involve everyone by actively involving students and teachers ourselves and organizing different types of activities so there was something for everyone. We organized new activities where members could join new people in teams and work together. The entire year we brought a lot of energy and positivity to the association and I am proud I could be a part that.

What drives you?

I'm a very stubborn person, so as soon as I see a flaw in either myself or the world, I throw all of my energy into trying to fix it because it will not leave my mind ever again.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

I partly designed the Climate Justice honours course that will be taught at the VU next year, I go to protests, I do mutual aid to the point where it may not be the healthiest thing for me anymore.

What drives you? 

Over the years the VU has become my second home. I owe this to the hard work of our faculty (student) organizations. I aim to share the support I received from them with other students like me and improve their university experience to the best of my ability. 

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities? 

I took various roles in which I had the opportunity to support students. For example, I organized many activities as a Board Member of the VSPVU, supported students’ wellbeing as the Representative of the Student Wellbeing Panel, and currently represent their interest as the Chair of the Faculty Student Council. 

What drives you?

A short answer would be making connections with people. I was always curious about understanding the world around me and creating a network in which all of us can be happier. I love addressing situations with humor and enjoy the growth of our community. 

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

As an FSR member, the biggest challenge is to create a connection between students’ needs and the resources available and find the inspiration for greater things. I am actively involved in creating projects that address these topics while developing awareness of the importance of communication. Shared opinions enhance the meaning!