Welcome to our committee page <3

This year, we’re taking on the challenge of organising one of the best student exchanges possible. Think cultural adventures, endless laughs, and enough unforgettable memories to fill your camera roll (and spam your Instagram). We’re beyond thrilled to be your behind-the-scenes masterminds, working tirelessly (and sometimes chaotically) to bring you two incredible weeks packed with excitement, surprises, and maybe a tiny bit of “oh no, did we really plan that?” But don’t worry—everything will be ‘chef’s kiss’ by the time it all happens. Here’s to an amazing year at VIP and an exchange experience you’ll be talking about long after the photos have faded. 

Now, meet the brilliant, slightly sleep-deprived humans making all this magic happen:

The Chair of this year’s (or as Bell would say “yur’s”) student exchange committee has the tough job of keeping all the little Seccie rats in check. But that’s not a problem for her. Our sassy and somewhat clumsy leader is always ready to jump in wherever needed and makes sure everyone does their designated jobs. With her strict leadership it promises to be a very ‘nunu’ exchange. If you ever have the pleasure of talking to Bell you have to make sure to ask her about her hilarious monkey story. And if you do, I’m sure you’re going to love her South African accent as much as she loves Irish ones.

The Acquisition role for this year’s Seccie is in the capable hands of Lous, our absurdly tall, absurdly slow-speaking, absurdly Frisian guy who somehow balances sarcasm, kindness, and a scary photo-game aesthetic where he always looks like he’s on ecstasy. However, don’t let the BFG’s sarcasm fool you—Lous has a heart of gold (Even though he has lost major points in my book for preferring dark chocolate to milk chocolate. Honestly outrageous). When it comes to Lous chugging beers? Don’t even think about challenging him— which is ironic given the fact that he is sober, and unfortunately, for the rest of us always (and I mean always) remembers how we behaved on a night out - Worst of all, he is most willing to remind us too. You might catch him making an unforgettable statement on the pole in Coppas come the new year, so keep your eyes peeled for this towering reus. With him leading the acquisition charge, it’s shaping up to be a year full of deals and nights filled with the most obscure archaic English language usage (like who uses the word oblige????). Oh, and one last thing: Spot Lous! in the photo (he’s the sassy rat with his hips on show).

Ilvy Sophia Edle von Krempelhuber auf Emingen has enough names to fit in the royal family, so when you ask her to put on her glasses and bring her knitting, she might just give off the same vibes as The Queen. Ilvy does our Promotion and is amazing at it. She comes up with the greatest designs, as evident by our committee hoodies, which she makes on her iPad. However, she can’t handle anything else technology related – like signing in to the google drive (again and again and again). She likes to travel a lot and has many interesting stories, which makes her perfect for the Exchange Committee. We still haven’t quite figured out her sense of humour, so if you ever find cheese, it might just be Ilvy trying to prank you – trust me, we don't understand it either.

Wyncko, our Treasurer, whom we treasure so dearly. He might be a very old man but his experience in VIP and life is often helpful to the rest of the committee. Even though Wyncko doesn't want us in his kitchen, he cooks the best meals for us, and we appreciate that a lot. However, while dining, don't expect to be able to talk to him, as he drifts off into a world far away from ours while eating, which is interesting to watch. (Also don’t ever expect him “as a maaaan” to eat untoasted bread. That’s below his level.) As one of only two Dutch members of the group, Wyncko is always there to explain weird (or should I say “raar”) words and sayings to us and in general he is a very helping, punctual, reliable and hilarious person. He does have a weird obsession with Lous, but it’s okay because it’s reciprocated. And if you are a sore loser, don’t ever play mario kart with Wyncko because he will win every single time. 

In the student exchange committee, Isabel is our person for External affairs. Therefore, her main task is to keep in contact with the partner university. She might seem quiet at first, but once you get to know her, you quickly realize how funny, sweet and thoughtful she is. She has this amazing sense of humor (especially in German ;)) and she´s definitely the one to talk to about anything until 3am during a sleepover. Isabel is also one of the kindest people I´ve met – she´s the type of person who will go out of her way to help someone and is always willing to lend a hand when someone needs it. A steady friend that you can rely on, no matter what. Her calm and collected presence makes any stressful moment a little easier, which is such a gift to our busy and sometimes chaotic committee. Outside of our Wednesday evenings, she is a dedicated climber, enjoys cooking a nice meal and loves to lose herself in a good book every once in a while (all of this while working as probably the friendliest waitress in the city of Groningen). No matter if it´s committee business or a fun activity, having herl with us is always a joy and we are looking forward to growing even closer as we continue together in this committee.

Gesa has been a loyal VIP member from the very beginning. Last year, she was part of the First Year Committee, and now she’s taken her talents to the Seccies, staying true to her role as Secretary. If you ever find yourself at the end of a long party night lying on the floor, and Gesa happens to find you, be prepared to star in her infamous Instagram series “Am Boden der Tatsachen” (a masterpiece, if we’re honest). But there’s so much more to Gesa than her Secretary duties! She’s super creative, an amazing guitarist, a wonderful singer, and a proud little Noah Kahan fangirl. Honestly, is there anything she can’t do? Gesa also loves thrifting – if only Amsterdam’s second-hand shops weren’t so painfully expensive! Her spirit animal is a tiger, which perfectly embodies her caring, kind, empathetic manner but also her enthusiasm and her fiery passion for the things she enjoys. Oh, and just a little PSA: please don’t crack your fingers in Gesa’s presence – you’ve been warned!

The student exchange committee organizes an exchange with students from another university in Europe every year. In past years, these exchanges have been organized with for example students from Budapest and Istanbul. The foreign students first come to Groningen for a week, and later in the year students from Groningen go to their city for a week as well. The committee is responsible for the program of this week. Examples of activities that have been organized are an afternoon of skating, a city tour through Groningen, a day in Amsterdam and sports in the Noorderplantsoen.

E-mail: seccie@vipsite.nl