The study trip committee 2015-2016 is composed of:

• Paul Couzy – Chairman
• Alex van Vorstenbosch – Secretary
• Brenda van Hal – Treasurer
• Mathijs Kolkhuis Tanke – Program coordinator Mathematics & Computer Science
• Esmee Stoop – Program coordinator Physics & Astronomy
• Kevin Oost – Commissioner Logistics
• Sarah Hurkmans – Commissioner Internal Affairs & Culture

Paul Couzy

Chairman

Two years ago Paul was part of the organization of the freshman study trip. This year he decided to take it one step further. As chairman of the study trip committee he is responsible for everything. Luckily he has six other committee members to help him with all tasks. Therefore it is good Paul has no problem with delegating these tasks to them. When someone gets a little distracted or gets out of line, Paul is the one who gets this person back on track. He makes sure everyone finishes his or her tasks in time.
One important thing that assists Paul in his task to keep the group together is coffee. It gives him energy and a clear mind. Without it his task would be a whole lot tougher.
It now may seem Paul is a really strict and serious guy, but actually Paul likes to do everything with a bit of humor. So all meetings remain interesting and keep everybody happy. With all his experience, attitude and his sense of humor Paul makes an excellent chairman with whom this study trip will be a success.

Alex van Vorstenbosch

Secretary

Alex is the secre – wait for it – tary, secretary of the committee. After his first year at DLF Alex felt he wanted to do something big: the study trip committee. He always keeps track of the records for us and writes down everything we say; and we mean EVERYTHING. Keeping records is important for posterity. The committee and posterity will be rewarded if they read his written records. They are marvelous with the right amount of pop-culture references and short writing style. He can always put his creativity and humor in them and that is what makes them lovely to read.
Alex is always in a good mood and in for a joke, but is sometimes disciplined as he takes it too far. Luckily when it is needed he is very professional and takes on his task very well. With this all in mind he completed the committee, with the right amount of humor and professionalism.

Brenda van Hal

Treasurer

“Put your money where your mouth is” is an idiom with a double meaning when talking about Brenda. She is quick to react when she doesn’t agree and will actively fight for what she believes in. On the other hands this small lady with a big mouth literally takes care of all our money. You can tell her background in mathematics comes to use as she systematically keeps track of all the money coming in, being spent, disappearing and reappearing in other places; it is all accounted for. If she doesn’t know what is going on with the funds, we can assure you, nobody does.
Furthermore Brenda is quick with a smile and the fact that she often talks without a filter leads to the most memorable conversations. When Brenda isn’t busy organizing the funds of the trip, she can be found teaching the local students how to dance or simply having fun with her friends. Brenda’s directness and openness make for an amazing treasurer, without whom this trip would not be possible.

Mathijs Kolkhuis Tanke

Program coordinator

Mathematics & Computer Science

It’s no secret, Mathijs loves to joke around. Famously referred to as one of ‘those two’, he always manages to lighten up the committee, sometimes at hours we weren’t even sure existed. But, don’t be fooled by his antics. When he gets down to business, it’s serious. He works fast and he is thorough. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty when something needs to be done. Also, he likes to help out the other members of the committee whenever he can.
His appointment as the program director of the Mathematical and Computer Science studies was no shock for us all, knowing his extensive track record at De Leidsche Flesch. When Mathijs is not working for the committee, he is often found helping others with their maths or to a beer in the FooBar.

Esmee Stoop

Program coordinator

Physics & Astronomy

If Esmee wants to organize something, she wants to do it thorough. Therefore she became one of the program coordinators. Armed with her red book of knowledge, she jots down even the slightest idea, where it can later evolve into a fantastic activity. She still applies a special ‘filter’ for some ideas of her colleague program coordinator, because those are a bit strange at times to put it lightly. Esmee does an amazing job to keep track of the information traffic by immediately making a schedule which lecturer is going to be at what location on which time and how we can find him or her by the position of the sun and stars.
Esmee always wears a smile and always in for a laugh. She has a most memorable look that can discipline ´those two´ immediately. Her love for sports and fitness is directly recognizable as she is always the fittest of the group modulo sickness. So if any of you wants to be in shape, you know where you can get advice.

Kevin Oost

Commissioner Logistics

After participating in last year’s study trip to America, Kevin got a taste of what it was like to organize a study trip and wanted to do this so himself. This year he is part of the committee, where he takes care of the website and provides all of us a place to sleep during the trip. So if you don’t like your bed, you now know to whom you have to go to. Furthermore, he makes sure that all the traveling will run smoothly and that we will arrive on time with the train and airplane. If this is not the case, he will make sure that you run, if necessary.
Kevin is the person everyone can rely on. Not only does he have the most diverse jobs within the committee, he also does them very well. Traveling is one of his passions, therefore combining this with his other passion, computer-science, makes a study trip the best way to merge these two. He is curious, professional and always in for a joke. This makes him a great commissioner website, promo and logistics, and great member of our committee.

Sarah Hurkmans

Commissioner Internal Affairs & Culture

Sarah is a lady with ambition. After being part of the committee for the freshman study trip, she wanted to be part of an even bigger committee.
As a commissioner Internal Affairs she gives great importance that your well-being during the trip. Next to all participants, she keeps in touch with the teachers who travel with us since 2014-2015. Besides her own role in the committee, she is actively involved in discussions of all kinds during the weekly committee meeting. She is disciplined, well organized and remembers all things that are going on. If you want to know what places in the cities are definitely worth visiting, then you should ask Sarah. She has done profound research on everything there is to find about the culture of Copenhagen and Stockholm on the web.