We are delighted to welcome our first intern this academic year. As a form of introduction, we asked him a few questions.
Welcome to the ILSE team. Please let us know more about you?
Thank you for welcoming me. I am 33 years old, married to Marlies, and we have two children: Sanne (6 years old) and Ruben (nearly 4 years old). We live in Zwijndrecht in the Netherlands, where I was born. At a very young age, I started playing and listening to classical music. I’ve had organ lessons since the age of 7. This inspired me to complete my Bachelors in Music in the conservatory of Rotterdam. However, I decided not to develop a career as an organist. Unsure of which direction to take, I started to work, shifting to a more technical orientation instead. Currently, I work as an software architect and leader of a team of software developers. Gradually I came to realize that I had to do something with one of my other long-lasting interests, theology. This made me apply for the Bachelor of Theology at ETF, Open University (distance learning) program. I am currently in my 4th and final year in which I intend to complete my Bachelors.
What motivated you to join our team for your internship?
Part of our study program requires me to do an internship. I wanted to use this opportunity to prepare and orientate me in the kind of masters I would like to take up after the bachelors. At the moment, I feel most attracted to the academic setting as the intellectual environment stimulates me very much. I am very excited that I get the opportunity to do my internship at ILSE. I hope that I am able to contribute to ILSE in return for what I will receive.
What hopes and dreams do you have for your future?
With the internship at ILSE, I hope that I will discover if a career in academia suits me. At this moment, I am contemplating completing a research masters after my bachelors and who knows, possibly a doctorate! More generally, I would like to contribute to the kingdom of God with my heart, might, mind and strength. I hope that this internship will in part help me achieve this aim.
Thank you Cees. We are glad to be working with you this year.
