Sun

Dear Netherlands,


I plead guilty. I am sorry for having abandoned you for more than a month. Life has been busy. Even if that sounds like a lame excuse, it has indeed been busy. Have a look yourself:
Firstly, I drowned in deadlines for both my universities but luckily I managed to meet them - though I am still waiting for the results.
Secondly, I betrayed you by going abroad to Switzerland. The purpose was a long planned study trip and a Model United Nations conference in Geneva (GIMUN). Five lovely ladies from Hannover University and me visited international organisations such as the World Economic Forum, World Trade Organization, CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), World Health Organization and OHCHR. Every single institution filled us with inspiration and knowledge and made the world just that little bit bigger. Geneva itself is an interesting business city, beautifully framed by the Alps and Jura mountains and boasting the grande Lac Léman/Lake Geneva and a lovely Old Town.
The MUN conference was extraordinarily special in the regard that it took place in the European Headquarters of the United Nations. Equipped with badges which allowed us entry to almost anywhere on the premises we could enjoy our lunch breaks in the beautiful park, admiring the monuments (gifts from states) and the free-roaming peacocks. Inside the buildings we marvelled at the fascinating ceiling of the Assembly Hall of the Human Rights Council (which was in session at the time we were there) and the Assembly Hall which served the Meetings of the fromer League of Nations. It gave an overall special atmosphere to the conference, being in the same buildings and sharing the same lunch cafeteria with real diplomats and quickly jumping to the side because the Syrian government was about to leave a meeting room or crossing our way.
MUN conferences are interesting and inspiring a) diplomacy-wise. Stepping into the shoes of diplomats you have to convince your fellow delegates from your contry's position, even if it does not match your own view on this topic. It hones your debating and rhetoric skills and requires you to develop a negotiation strategy. MUN conferences are interesting and inspiring b) content-wise. Preparation for a conference requires deep research beforehand and throughout the conference. Additionally, the debates and guest speakers teach you a lot about the debated subjects. MUN conferences are interesting and inspiring c) people-wise. Yes, MUN is definitely about the young, ambitious, motivated, smart students from all over the world, willing to engage with each other and have fun. MUN conferences are interesting and inspiring d) MUN-Spirit-wise. There is indeed a term for the feeling delegates experience after an intense conference (lasting only a few days, hence its intensity): post-MUN-depression. 'We're all in this together' is probably the overarching MUN conference feeling, enabling you to actively engage in debates with like-minded people with the same goals, to make new friends and enjoy your priviledged position.

After my return from Geneva to Nijmegen I had to do a take-home exam and recover from a cold. I was not granted much time for that as a friend from Hannover (whom I had only recently seen in Geneva) had announced his visit. We enjoyed the (finally!) nice weather in Nijmegen, exploring its Roman history in the museum and even dared to cross the bridges over the Waal river, cycling for hours 'on the other side of Nijmegen where no one ever goes'. On Sunday summer came to Nijmegen for one day, leaving me with a heavy sunburn.
University classes started again on Monday and I am lucky with only two classes this period ('Theories of International Relations' and 'Dutch History and Culture') as I also have to prepare for a Sociology exam in Hannover in July.

 Sint Stevenskerk Nijmegen

 Do as the Romans do

Fietsen op de dijk

 Waal - Nijmegen

How wonderfully wide a fietspad is! Such a privilege!

This small chapel means 'home', because directly behind it is the student dorm

I can't stop MUNing or doing MUN related things. Yesterday (Tuesday) evening I had the first session of the United Netherlands Public Speaking Programme and it was great fun! This session we focussed on body language and everyone had to do an impromptu speech. Afterwards we went to have a drink and socialise. Not only the trainers made the session informative and fun, also the other participants seem to be cool and interesting people. I am very much looking forward to the next session! But before I have to prepare another speech and videotape it.....

Tomorrow there is a 'Spring Ball' for the international students and I hope to do some serious Standard dancing. I will spend the Easter days with my family in Hannover and the following weekend I will spend in my favourite city The Hague.

So much for the catch up!

Love,

Jane