Introduction 2016 Global Sustainability Science

Introduction 2016
Global Sustainability Science
1
Table of Contents
Program ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Study Association Storm ....................................................................................................... 5
About the Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6
About Utrecht............................................................................................................................. 7
Introducing the Committee .................................................................................................. 8
From the Current Chairman ............................................................................................. 17
From the Candidate Chairman......................................................................................... 18
From the commissioner of internal affairs................................................................. 19
The Committees ..................................................................................................................... 20
The Mentor Mums and Dads ............................................................................................ 25
Our Patron: Klaas van Egmond ....................................................................................... 29
Head of the department: Karin Rebel ........................................................................... 30
Detailed Program .................................................................................................................. 31
Packing List .............................................................................................................................. 33
Route........................................................................................................................................... 34
Contact Details........................................................................................................................ 35
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Program
Monday
8.45
9.30
13.00
14.30
17.30
Tuesday
12.00
14.30
17.00
18.00
22.30
Welcome and introduction at Androclusgebouw c101
Introduction by the University
Lunch in groups and tour of the Uithof
Cycling to city center and Crazy88
Dinner at your mentor’s house
DIS (Duurzame Introductie Stunt, Sustainable Introduction
Stunt)
Excursion CU2030 or Griftpark
Special announcement Lustrumcommittee
Dinner at your mentor’s house
Dancing in Club Poema
Wednesday
13.00
Lecture Sustainability Challenges
17.00
Staff-Student drink
19.00
Pizza at Mr. Jacks
21.00
Pubquiz at De Vrienden
Thursday
9.00
Lecture Mathematics and System Analysis
13.00
Presentation by Klaas van Egmond
Friday
10.00
14.00
17.30
19.00
22.00
22.30
Meet at the bus (Uithof) and leave for Ameland!
Excursion with seal spotting
Cycling to the accommodation
Dinner
Cycling to the Swinging Mill
Dancing at the Swinging Mill
Saturday
9.00
10.15
13.45
16.30
18.00
21.00
Breakfast
Excursion in groups
Information about the committees
Free time and time to prepare your act for the colourful evening
Dinner
Colourful evening
3
Sunday
8.30
10.45
12.30
13.30
Breakfast
Cycling to the boat
Boat departure
Back to Utrecht by bus
4
Study Association Storm
You probably have received a ton of information about different student
organisations, study associations and other groups you can join as a
student. This enormous amount of information might be a little bit
confusing, so we thought it might be nice if we explained who we are a bit
more. Storm is an organisation for all who study an environmental study
program in Utrecht. This used to be the bachelor programs Milieumaatschappijwetenschappen en Milieu-natuurwetenschappen, and the
master programs Sustainable Development and Water Science and
Management. Starting this year Global Sustainability Science will also join
our association. Every student becomes a member of Storm, which
automatically gives you a discount on your books when you order them via
our website. Everybody is always welcome, even though you don’t plan on
becoming an active member, or decide to become active later in the year.
What do we do?
Storm has 15 committees (see page 20), that organise all kind of activities
for our members under the watchful eye of the board. These activities range
from parties and (foreign)trips to excursions and career related activities.
Storm has its own room where you can relax before, during and after
classes. This room is open from 10.30 till 16.00 and during that time we
serve free coffee and tea. This way Storm gives you ways to enjoy your
student life even more, to learn more about environmental sciences and to
get in touch with other environmental students from all different years.
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About the Introduction
One of the fifteen committees of Storm is the introduction committee. In the
first week of the academic year we will organise an introduction week for
all new Global Sustainability Science students. In this week you will get to
know the university, the teachers, your fellow students and the city Utrecht.
Two enthusiastic mentors will guide you this week, they know a lot about
the university, the city and Storm, so you can ask them anything.
The week will start on Monday September 5th and will end on Sunday
September 11th. The first four days the program will take place in Utrecht,
during the weekend we will visit Ameland (one of the Dutch islands). As
mentioned before we have organised a lot of activities so you can get to
know the city, your fellow students and the topic of your bachelors
program, but you will also go to your first classes.
You will be expected in Androclusgebouw c101 on Monday September 5th
at 8.45 (for directions go to page 34). Here you will be welcomed as a new
student, and the week will officially start. We are really excited, and
hopefully you are as well!
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About Utrecht
The City of Utrecht has lots to offer to you as a student. The typical Dutch
city, with only 320.000 inhabitants, provides the best facilities for a
sparkling student life!
Hotspots and Highlights
The Neude – The first hotspot you find after leaving the central station is
the Neude. The Neude is Utrecht’s most famous square for tourists and
students. In summertime the place is filled with terraces and during the
winter the square is used for an ice rink. The Neude is nationally known for
its place on the Dutch monopoly board.
The Dom – The highest building of the city is the tower of the Dom
Cathedral. With its 112,32 meters in height The Dom is a symbolic
landmark and one of the most touristic places of Utrecht. The citizens are
so attached to the sacred tower, it is not allowed to build buildings that are
higher than The Dom in the city of Utrecht
Wilhelmina Park – One of the best spots in Utrecht to relax on sunny days.
The Wilhelmina Park is located on the way downtown from The Uithof. The
park offers greens to play ball or to keep up your tan. Bring some beer and
enjoy the sun!
The Uithof – Here you can find the biggest concentration of knowledge in
the Netherlands. The Uithof is the name of the science park in East Utrecht.
Most of your classes during your academic time are given somewhere on
The Uithof. It is a place for learning but also a spot for socializing.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Utrecht has something to offer to every type if person on
almost every night of the week. On Mondays bars are open on the
Nobelstraat and on Tuesdays Club Poema throws its famous international
nights, which you are going to experience during the introduction week.
Every first Wednesday of the month Storm organizes a drink for all its
members. On Thursdays the Tivoli Vredenburg is the place to be! The
weekly Pop-o-Matic parties are free of charge when you show your
students card. During the weekends all the clubs and bars are open for
some drinks and your best dance moves. Also make sure you get the
invitations to the crazy student house parties all over the city!
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Introducing the Committee
Milan van Reenen
Age: 22
Living situation:
2,5 years ago I moved from Alkmaar, where
my parents live, to Utrecht. Since about a year
ago I live in the student residence on the Ina
Boudier Bakkerlaan (IBB). With 14
roommates it is pretty crowded, but never
boring.
What do you like the most about STORM?
Storm is a study association that
distinguishes itself by the organization of a
lot of activities for its members. What I like the most about this is that the
most of these activities are pretty easy approachable to join. Especially the
activities of the Sports and games committee are fun to participate. The
sailing weekend, the hitchhike weekend and the smaller events I joined
were a good way to meet up with the ‘Stormers’.
What do you do besides studying?
Next to studying I mostly undertake activities with my roommates. The 14
people I live with on the IBB are all one of their kind: different nationalities,
different backgrounds and different studies, but all the same need to be
sociable and behave crazy. Also you can find me on the pitch playing some
football and futsal. Next year I will join the Storm football squad to show
Utrecht what real football actually is!
Why Global Sustainability Science?
Why I choose Environmental sciences (how this study used to be called in
‘the old days)?? Not because I had much empathy with nature, not to
become an environmental-hippie and not to save the world. I only chose
this study because of the mix of high school classes from my interests. At
that time I didn’t know what to study so is picked an education containing
physics, mathematics, ecology, chemistry and geography.
What did you liked the most about your own introduction period?
My introduction week, three years ago, was a week of new experiences.
New people, a new city, a new school etc. All the activities were fun to join
even when I was tired from the day before. I still hang out with some people
from the group I was placed in.
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For what may someone wake you up in the middle of the night?
A slap in your face. Really, let me sleep.
Lusanne about Milan:
I have known Milan since my own introduction, then he was also member of
the introduction committee. During our first committee meeting, Milan
firstly told everybody that we were now part of the best committee of
Storm. He brought the spirit in immediately. Next to these Milan is a very
social guy, he will never let you “drive” alone during the drinking game
“bussen” (in dutch). With Milan as an experienced and enthusiastic
president of the committee, I’m sure there will be a lot of fun during the
introduction!
Juul Kappelhof
Age: 20
Living situation:
At this moment (while I am writing this) I still
live with my parents in Nieuwegein, but I am
desperately looking for a room in Utrecht… So
hopefully, when I meet you all in September, I
have found a nice place to stay in our beautiful
city!
What do you like most about Storm:
I love that Storm is a group of all different
kinds of people that are one big happy family.
Everybody is welcome and I felt at home right from the first day of my
introduction period. First, I was a little confused about who was a secondyear student and who was a third-year student, because Storm is one big
group of friends, no matter in what year you are.
What do you do besides studying:
Besides studying I visit a lot of activities that are organised by the Stormcommittees. Every week there is something to do, like a Symposium, a
Sustainable Diner, a Garden Festival or we go for a drink in the Boslust. I
also really like to go to festivals like Lowlands, but unfortunately my bank
account doesn’t like that as much as I do;) Cooking dinner with friends,
eating with friends, drinking and dancing with friends and watching series
(with or without friends) are things I also really love. And on vacation I love
backpacking, camping and making campfires!
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Why Global Sustainability Science:
I always knew that the environment was very important for me and at age
10 I already made posters about ‘Stop Global Warming’ ;) It took me 3 years
to find out that this study existed, but right now I can’t imagine that I would
ever study something else.
What did you like most about your own introduction period:
I loved the crazy-88 with my weird family (we had incredibly few points,
but we had so much fun) and I liked the going-out-night on camp! Limbodancing!
For what may someone wake you up at night:
You can wake me up to watch the stars at night! I really love the stars and I
can’t imagine something more wonderful than (curled up in a blanket)
looking at the sky! (I also really like pancakes and live-guitar music at a
campfire)
Julliette about Juul:
I met Juul at the beginning of last year. When I think of Juul I see a big smile.
Juul is a happy sweet girl who is laughing a lot. With her big curly hair and
big eyes she just looks cute. At the BC we had a lot of fun and I got to know
her even better. She is a caring person and a lot of fun!
Lieuwe Korver
Living Situation: I’m originally from Utrecht
and decided to stay in this beautiful town to
study because I like it here very much. At the
moment I live at the Amsterdamsestraatweg.
What do you like most about Storm?
What I like the most is that everyone is very
welcoming Band environmentally conscious.
Storm has a great atmosphere because we have
a large group of active members and everyone
is kind to each other and accepts the way that
other people are.
Why Global Sustainability Science?
Because I find it a very interesting subject and because I’d like to contribute
something to the world that has a purpose other than just gaining as much
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money as you can. Furthermore I like the people that do the study, which
makes studying itself a lot more fun.
What do you do besides studying?
The past year and currently still, I have been a member of the Storm board.
This means among other things that I participate in three committees (one
of them is the Introduction Committee), and that I’m working on external
affairs. Besides that I have a little time left to go cycling and spend time with
my girlfriend.
What did you like most about your introduction week?
One of the things is that I had great mentors; Koen and Hilde, and secondly I
very much liked the weekend in the Province Brabant where we went.
For what may someone wake you in the middle of the night?
An awesome introduction weekend to Ameland!
Ellen Verboom
Age: 22 (my god I am getting old..:()
Living Situation:
I am originally from Wageningen, but after a
month in Utrecht I found a room at the beginning
of the Amsterdamsestraatweg. Since it is such a
nice place, I am still living there after almost
three years.
What do you like most about Storm:
I like how much it resembles a big happy family.
Everybody takes care of each other and helps
each other. Everybody is welcome and accepted
just the way they are. This might sound a bit
hippie, but it really makes you feel at home right
from the start and it makes that everybody always enjoy themselves.
What do you do besides studying:
I am very active at Storm, two years ago I was president of the board and
although I haven’t been as busy with Storm last year, I was still a member of
three committees. On top of that there are always a lot of activities to visit.
Beside Storm I also practice horse riding and just generally like to hang out
with friends. I like going out but I also don’t mind a quiet evening watching
Netflix;)
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Why Global Sustainability Science:
I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted to study because my
interests were so broad. I liked biology, chemistry and a whole lot of other
things. But choosing a bachelor like biology would exclude learning about
all these other topics. GSS (or milieu-natuurwetenschappen when I started)
combines all these different disciplines and that is what really appealed to
me. And of course I found the environment really interesting, otherwise this
would have been a really weird choice.
What did you like most about your own introduction period:
How nice and enthusiastic everybody was. They really tried to make you
feel at home and have fun. The weekend was the most fun, we went to
Texel, went to the beach and just had so much fun!
For what may someone wake you up at night:
I don’t have any trouble getting up in the middle of the night. So as long as it
has a purpose (whether it’s fun (food, party, going on vacation) or serious
(somebody needs my help)) I am fine. If you wake me up for no reason
however I can get quite pissed because I am a horrible sleeper and it will
probably take me an hour to get back to sleep.
Sidenote:
I would just like to say that I was really sick when our committee picture
was taken and that I don’t always look so bad haha
Juul about Ellen:
I met Ellen during my own introduction period. The first thing I heard her
say was ‘Pakaaaaaaahk’ (which is the sound of a chicken). We were playing
some games at Natascha’s place (my mentor-mom) and Ellen came up with
this weird chicken-game. The next time I saw Ellen that week she imitated a
goat and a cow during the pub-quiz;)
Ellen is really, really sweet and funny and she loves cheese (maybe even
more than she loves horses). And she knows everything about Storm.
Everything. So if you have a question (who was Storm’s third president of
the board?), ask Ellen!
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Yannis Koetsier
Age: 21
Living Situation:
I was born in a small village in Germany, to be
more precise in Anrath (Wilich). After 2 years I
moved to Hilden (Düsseldorf) and when I was 10
years old I moved, with my parents, to Curacao. I
lived there for 7 years and then I went back to
Germany, where I lived 2 years in the city of
Aachen. Now I have been living in Utrecht at a
student flat at the Uithof for the past two years.
What do you like most about Storm?
The thing that I love the most about Storm is that it feels like one big cozy
family. Everybody knows each other and everybody can have fun with each
other. Because of this it is never boring at Storm and there is always
something to do.
What do you do besides studying?
Most things I do besides studying have to do with Storm. This includes fun
committee meetings and going out in Utrecht with other stormers. Next to
being active at Storm I also play soccer, but also in a team with a lot of
Stormers.
Why Global Sustainability Science?
I have been very interested in the environment since I was a teenager.
Because I was so fascinated by the subject I wanted to study something in
that area, so I chose this study.
What did you like most about your own introduction period?
The thing that I liked the most about my introduction period was that I met
so many new people with whom I became very close friends. Also I learned
all kinds of interesting stuff about the city of Utrecht.
For what may someone wake you up in the middle of the night?
For a fun game and a beer (or a good vodka) you can always wake me up in
the middle of the night.
Lieuwe about Yannis:
I met Yannis for the first time when we did our Introduction week. I’ve
known him since as a very relaxed and amicable guy, who is very easy to
approach for a nice conversation. Besides a conversation he is also easy to
trigger for a party. His favorite hobby is bookkeeping, which I find very
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original to have as a hobby. It may not surprise you then that he is our
committee’s treasurer and he is to become treasurer of the board of Storm
as well. Because he will become a board member of the association next
year, you are certainly going to see him a lot. In one sentence I would
describe Yannis as: social, relaxed, and precise.
Julliette Brink
Age: 20
Living situation:
I grew up in Bunnik, the little village next to
Utrecht and now I live at the Ina BoudierBakkerlaan (IBB) which is the best place to
live in Utrecht!
What do you like most about Storm?
What I like most about Storm is that everyone
is always welcome and everyone knows each
other. You can walk in to an activity (which
we have, a lot) and always have a good time
with the people there. I also like that all of the years get along and it doesn’t
matter from which year you are. You are just part of Storm.
What do you do besides studying?
Besides studying I am mostly found in my house at the IBB. I live with 14
roommates and it’s pretty much party every day. We do a lot of things
together and are a really close little family. If I’m not there, I am out with
my friends, going to parties and festivals or just chilling. My hobby is
gymnastics and I still practice it at a student gymnastics club. I am also the
chairman of the partycommittee of Storm, party&co.
Why Global Sustainability Science?
At first I wasn’t sure what to study. I started GSS not really knowing if it
would be the right choice, but after just a few weeks I was completely sure I
had made the right choice. Trying to make a difference in the way we treat
our planet is so important and I feel like this is the most useful thing I could
study to make a change.
What did you like most about your own introduction period?
I liked meeting all these new people. Storm has so many different kinds of
persons and it’s great how everybody can get along and have fun together.
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My introduction was really exhausting but a lot of fun and it was great
seeing how a big family was formed.
For what may someone wake you in the middle of the night?
Wake me? I’m probably still dancing in the living room in the middle of the
night so just give me a beer and join the party!
Milan about Juliette
Juliette is the girl who loves to drink at night and isn’t ashamed to join
meetings with a hangover. She is (too) often able to persuade me to join for
a beer and Juliette is like a walking library for drinking games. Now I made
it sound like she has a problem.. No, Juliette is a sweet girl who isn’t too shy
to share her opinion, two great characteristics! It’s never boring to hang out
with her!
Lusanne Smink
Age: 21
Living situation:
I’ve been living in Utrecht for almost 2 years,
near the Jaarbeurs.
What do you like most about Storm:
What I like the most about Storm is that there
are a lot of (really nice) committees. Last year I
was a member of the party committee and of
the Kolokolo which was really fun, and because
of the wonderful group we still have “kolokolo
meetings”. This year I’m also member of (the unofficial committee) Move
which is also great. So apart from the nice activities you organize, you also
have a lot of fun within the committees.
What do you do besides studying:
Besides studying I do a lot of other things (which is why I’m not that often
at storm activities..). I spend a lot of time with friends, from Utrecht but also
from my high school and elementary school in Nijmegen. I also have 3
ponies I spent a lot of time with. They are too small for me to ride but we do
a lot of other things like running or riding with a sulky through the woods
and teaching children how to ride. To maintain them (and myself) I work a
lot and I also do some volunteer work.
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Why Global Sustainability Science:
It took me a gap-year to know this. There were many things I liked, animals
(horses in special), nature, people and children… So after weighing all
options GSS, which especially combines the nature and the people, was
what I chose. But I’m almost sure another study about children or horses
(and when I save enough money, both) will follow.
What did you like most about your own introduction period:
Oh well, I really don’t know. I enjoyed the whole introduction period…
Maybe I like the weekend the most, then you really learn to know each
other better, but the whole week was a lot of fun!
For what may someone wake you up at night:
I think a lot of things, as long as it is not silly. It depends on how much I like
you, the more I like you the more you can wake me up for ;)
Yannis about Lusanne:
I have known Lusanne since my own introduction period. Two years ago we
were in the same introduction group. We had a great and fun intro together.
I know Lusanne as a calm and fun girl. Because she is so calm she is in a way
the quiet power of our commission. She does well with her tasks in the
committee and is almost never drunk so you can count on her 24/7. Beside
that Lusanne loves to be with children and horses. Lusanne in one sentence:
Lusanne is a calm, fun, lovely horse enthusiast.
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From the Current Chairman
Dear soon to be GSS students,
Welcome to Utrecht, and of course to Storm! I
am very excited about the new study, Global
Sustainability Science, that you are going to
do, and about the amount of applications the
study got. This is going to be a special year for
Storm, the Study Association for
Environmental students, not only because of
the new bachelor and the transition from
Dutch to English, but also because of its 25th
anniversary. So you choose a great year to
begin your Storm career!
My name is Natascha and this year, college year 2015-2016, I am the
president of the board of Storm. My board membership ends in October
though, so you’ll be seeing Sake, Michael, Yannis, Florette, Yvana and Steven
a lot more than me. I will introduce myself anyway: I’m a third year MilieuMaatschappijwetenschappen (Environmental Governance) student, 22 years
old and my favorite color is orange. In my first year I joined the
Buitenlandcommissie, which is the committee that organizes the foreign
trip. After the introduction I liked Storm and all the eople involved in
Storm, but when I joined the committee Storm started to feel like home. In
my second year I again joined the Buitenlandcommissie, and I got even more
enthusiastic about Storm, so I applied for the board. And here I am, an old
person telling you about the great time that’s ahead of you.
You’re going to meet all kinds of different people, and most of them will
have the same interest in the world as you do. You’re going to make friends,
maybe the best friends you ever had. You’re going to study a lot, maybe too
little, but at least you’ll learn a lot ;), and if you want to you’re going to have
a great time during all the activities that Storm has to offer you, from a
hitchhiking contest, a cantus, lots of parties and a trip abroad, to interesting
lectures, serious career preparation and sustainability workshops like
vegan cooking. Have fun and good luck!
Natascha van Bommel
President of the XXV Board of Storm, De Windstoten
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From the Candidate Chairman
Dear all,
As the end of the summer holiday approaches, the
start of a new college year comes closer and closer.
Everyone of you probably looks forward to this in a
different way. Some of you are Dutch, some of you
are from another country. Some of you might have
done another study or a year abroad last year, while
others might come straight from high school.
Whoever you are, there is probably going to change a
lot next year. Starting a new study is a big step for
everyone.
As most of you probably know, our study association
Storm has a big step ahead of her as well. Coming year, two existing study
tracks merge to form the study you are going to do: Global Sustainability
Science. It will also be the first year that Storm itself will be completely in
english. Probably the most exciting change is that, for the very first time, we
may welcome foreign students to our association! So, not only will there be
changes for you guys, but for Storm as well! Luckily, there will be plenty of
opportunity to get to know each other in the months to come. We will kick
the year off with an amazing introduction week. After that, there will follow
plenty of small and large activities, both fun and serious, to make this one
hell of an awesome year!
I can imagine you still have a lot of questions, about the study, about Storm
or perhaps about student life in general. I’d like to point out that if there’s
anything you want to know, or just want to chat a little, don’t hesitate to
approach me! Whether you’re Dutch or from abroad, the rest of the board
members and I are eager to meet all of you! We will be there during the
introduction week and all other activities. You also find us in our
association room, which is located in the Ruppert hall. The Stormroom, as
we call it, is open to all members of our association. Come by to have a little
talk or grab a cup of free coffee or tea. Hope to see you there soon!
Sake Kolhoff
Candidate chairman of Storm
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From the commissioner of internal affairs
Dear first-years,
Firstly I'd like to welcome you to Global
Sustainability Science! As you may well know
you are the first ones to take on this
challenge, but trust me you will not regret it.
The coming years will be the best years of
your life! You have probably heard this a
thousand times already, so I will try to tell you
about something you haven't heard yet: Me.
I'm Steven and I'm the candidate for the
Internal Affairs on the board of Storm 2016/2017. One of my primary tasks
will be to make sure the contact between the board and the members of
Storm goes smoothly. If you have any questions about anything, you can
come to me. This can be questions about the university, housing, the
association or anything else you can think of. Especially as an international
you might run into some extra problems that I can help you with. You can
send me an email on [email protected], or ask them to me in person
whenever you run into me. I am at the Stormroom quite often, and if I’m not
there is always another board member and more experienced Stormers
that can help you with your question or that can help you get in touch with
me.
I am looking forward getting to know all of you!
Steven van der Veld
Candidate commissioner of internal affairs of Storm
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The Committees
In principle, you’ll become a member of the study association Storm on the
first day of the introduction week. As a member you have the opportunity to
join one or more committees, which are described below. All these committees
have a different function within the association. Every committee has place
for 5 to 8 members to fulfill its tasks over the whole study year. During a few
meetings in a month you’ll organize fun activities or educational gatherings
for yourself and all the other member of Storm. Joining a committee is a great
way to meet new people and give your own creative input to the organization
of activities.
Sports and Games Committee
Last year I was part of the sport and games
committee and it has truly been a great
experience! As the sport and games committee
we have spent our time organizing small
activities such as a game of dodgeball, a nightly
game of tag in the woods, a pool event and a
former sport and games committees get
together. We also have two bigger activities: the
hitchhiking weekend and a weekend of sailing in
Friesland. The best part of this committee is that
it is very free in both the opportunities of
activities as well as having a good time and
having a few (too many) beer. So if you’re
looking for a place to out your creative spirit and
are active to a certain extent, but you’re also
looking for a good time (who isn’t??), then this is the committee for you!!
Loek Bogaards
Lustrum Committee
Dear first-year Stormers,
You definitely chose the right year to start studying Sustainability Science in
Utrecht. Next December Storm will celebrate her 25th anniversary! For this
reason the Lustrum-committee will organise over ten activities in the first
two weeks of December. These activities will be very diverse, but are still a
secret. However, let’s make one thing sure; with 25 year of experience, a
committee (with ten people) which is highly motivated, an original lustrum
theme (circular) and a new bachelor study with a lot of new students, Storm
is ready to experience an epic and unforgettable Lustrum. You’ll hear more
about it during the introduction week!
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Koen Kaffener
Introduction Committee
Last year I was a mentor dad to the first year students of that year. I had
such a good time during the introduction week, that I decided to organize
the introduction this year. So I joined the introduction committee. This is a
committee were you learn a lot during the year and you can have a lot of fun
with your committee members. We have been working the whole year to
produce a beautiful and fun introduction. It is nice to see how step by step it
comes into being, and we hope that it will be a success. So if you want to
organize a big event and show the new students how much fun studying can
be, this is the best committee to join!
Yannis Koetsier
Foreign Trip Committee
Every year Storm goes on a trip; 50
members leave this lovely country to
see all that rests beyond its orange
borders. It’ll be a week of partying
and fun activities while also
incorporating a few educational
expeditions. For most members this
trip won’t start until April, but for a
fixed group, the foreign trip committee, this trip starts much earlier. They
are responsible for making yet another legendary holiday and this requires
hard work and a lot of time. This committee will meet almost every week,
so members are assured to become good friends. If you’re assertive and
you’d like the power of being able to decide what activities this trip will
consist of, it’s the committee for you!
Carlotte Offringa
Magazine Committee
The magazine committee is the committee of our own magazine and blog!
In this magazine, and at our blog, you will find articles about other
Stormers, sustainability or just fun stories. As part of this committee you
can decide what you want to write about, you can, for example, inform our
whole study association about things you believe are important! In this
committee, you work together with a few others who also like to write
articles. One of the cool things is that is that you have contact with a lot of
Stormers, for example by interviewing them about their hobby or job. It
really is a great way to meet new people and learn from them as well. This
committee doesn’t require a lot of work, and therefore doesn’t take much of
your time. Because of this, it’s a great committee to join in your first year
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when you still have to get used to everything. Do you want to know more
about the articles? Visit our blog on the Stormsite, or ask for a
‘Stormmelding’ at the Stormroom.
Chantal Brugge
Career Committee
The career committee is one of the more versatile committees of STORM.
Our main objective is to acquire money by organizing events that brings
students and businesses together. This is done by organizing a ton of great
events and acquiring companies as official sponsors. The events last year
were a couple of organized visits of big companies, a startup event about
starting up your own company and the career diner that enabled students
to speak directly with the invited organizations. The biggest event is the
career symposium with talks from popular speakers and work-related
workshops.
We all have had a great year, and hope that you can be part of it!
Daniel Los
Lectures and Excursions Committee
Last year I have been a member of the Lectures and Excursionscommittee,
or short the LEX. The name is pretty self-explanatory, but you have so much
freedom in organizing interesting and fun activities. We organized a few
small documentary nights, went mountain biking with the Sports and
Games Committee in a nature reserve, visited an eco-friendly
neighborhood, organized an excursion to a ‘ghost town’ in Belgium and had
of course a few lectures. We organized two lectures, one was with a
meteorologist who went on an expedition and one about eco-tourism with
two other study associations. It is also
usual that the LEX organizes one big
congress, which was about refugee crisis
or climate crisis last year. Alas, I hope
you’ve gained more insight about this
committee and hope you will be next to
give Storm another year of learning and
fun! ;)
Florette Reijman
Kolokolo
The Kolokolo is the charity committee of Storm. Every year a new charity is
chosen by the committee and the members of Storm. Then throughout the
year we try to raise money by organizing all sorts of fun activities. This year
we organized a garden festival, for example. But also the ‘Tosti-Thursday’,
the designing of sweaters and the New Year’s Dive are activities that are
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held every year. The Kolokolo is a committee in which you can get as busy
and make as much fun as you like. Anyway, I liked my first year with Storm
very much. This was partly because you get to know a lot of people if you
join a committee and you can create a good bond with you committee
members. In the end, I think the most fun of this committee is that not only
you have a good time, but you are also helping a lot of people.
Rosalie Hagenaars
Photo Committee
The photo committee takes pictures of activities and group photos of other
committees. We also make collages of the best pictures that get hung up in
the Storm room and we make the photo yearbook at the end of the year.
The photo committee is a really fun committee to be in, because taking
pictures allows you to get to know all of your fellow students. It’s hilarious
to take pictures of happy drunk people at parties, but it’s also very
interesting to join excursions and take pictures there. It’s really fun to be
able to play around with the new Storm camera and figure out how you can
put your creativity to work to take the best pictures, and the best part of
capturing good moments is having pictures afterwards with awesome
memories attached to them.
Myrthe van Stijn
IT-committee
My name is Louise and I present to you the IT-committee! Last year, as a
first year student, I was not sure what I wanted to do at Storm. There are
many awesome committees, but I was looking for something fun, a bit
creative and not very time-consuming. When you’re in IT your main task is
to make posters that promote activities of Storm with Photoshop, which is
easy to learn. You can also work on the Storm website if you want to!
Sometimes we organize Storm activities of our own like Nerdnight (one of
my favorite things): we gather at a “Stormer’s” house and try to collect
different game consoles so we can play some games together while enjoying
a beer (or two, or three…). So, if you want to be in a fun committee that
doesn’t take much time, IT will suit you for sure!
Louise Wijma
Sustainability Committee
Last year I joined the sustainability committee. I really enjoyed this
committee and I learned a lot! Last year we gave the vegetable garden a
new life and we successfully prepared a sustainable dinner every month.
The greatest dinner was in the Dies week, Storm celebrated her 24th
anniversary. For 40 people, we cooked a delicious four-course menu.
Besides the dinners, we organised more activities. For example an
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interesting vegan cooking workshop. We also came together to ‘sustainably’
watch the Champions League final. This was the thing I liked most about
this committee. You have a lot of freedom in organising activities, as long as
you make it sustainable. Some activities are clearly sustainable, but
sometimes you have to be a little bit creative. As smashing final we
organized an awesome Garden Festival in May together with the LEX and
the Kolokolo!
Myron Jansen
Education Committee
The education committee is a bit of a more serious committee. Its functions
concern the quality of the education, contact between students and teachers
and the organization of the parents day. The parents day is a really nice way
for students to give their parents a peek inside the study environment of a
GSS student. On this day, some of our best teachers will give a lecture about
their specialization and the parents will receive a tour around the Uithof
guided by one of us.
We also try to provide occasions where students and teachers can talk to
each other in an informal setting. These settings are usually a lunch or
drinks at the end of the day, but new ideas for this would be very welcome.
And most importantly, we keep an eye on the quality of the courses. At the
start of every new term we organize an evaluation afternoon for anybody
who wants to discuss the courses of the last term.
Erne Blondeau
Party Committee
The party committee, also known as the best committee of Storm, will make
your year unforgettable. Together with your fellow committee members
you will be organising the parties and the monthly drinks of Storm,
sometimes together with other study associations. You will be challenged to
think of the nicest themes for the parties, arrange the best locations and
every now and then you’ll have to get behind the bar and sell drinks / food
for all the thirsty and hungry party people! This all with only one goal:
creating an (un-)forgettable ;) night! So if you’d love to combine organising
with partying, this is the place to be!
Iza Meijer
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The Mentor Mums and Dads

Lars
Year: 2
Loek
Year: 2

Luïse
Year: 3
Michael
Year: 3


Yvana
Year: 4
Sake
Year: 3



Anne
Year: 3
Myron
Year: 2
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

Louise
Year: 2
Daniel
Year: 3

Bas
Year: 5
Nathalie
Year: 3




Bram
Year: 3
Inessa
Year: 3

Ruben
Year: 2

Sabine
Year: 2
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
Charlotte
Year: 2
Paul
Year: 2

Steven
Year: 2
Florette
Year: 3


Daniil
Year: 2
Iza
Year: 2



Koen
Year: 4
Michelle
Year: 4
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

Marieke
Year: 2
Thijs
Year: 2

Koen
Year: 2
Myrthe
Year: 2


Arvid
Year: 4
Sofie
Year: 4
Chantal
Year: 2

Loes
Year: 3

Joris
Year: 4
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Our Patron: Klaas van Egmond
As the study association for Environmental Sciences in Utrecht Storm is
essentially part of a university based education, where young people are
being formed into scientist and balanced adults to contribute the a solution
to the massive societal dillema’s that we will face during the coming
decennia. It is especially important for environmental scientist to be able to
combine knowledge from different disciplines. Combining this knowledge is
a skill on its own. Students need to learn to specialize but also need to learn
to receive and process specialized information from others.
Storm plays an important role for that last aspect. It does so by organizing
meetings and congresses related to the environment and sustainability and
by creating more general forming activities that place the different
disciplines in a broader context. Storm organizes a yearly careerday in
collaboration with different businesses, here students can orientate on their
career after their time at the University. They also enlighten the parents of
our students in the work and living environment with the yearly parent day.
At the same time the association promotes the needs of the students in
relation with the university, especially regarding the quality. The members
of the board keep a friendly and where necessary formal contact with the
professors and staff. Beside this, the association also has a very important
social function; she give the
individual student the necessary
social network within the university.
Storm organizes excursions,
vacations, weekend and of course
parties because those are just as
much part of a student life as
lectures and seminars.
Prof ir Klaas van Egmond
Patron of Storm
Honorary Professor of
Environmental Sciences
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Head of the department: Karin Rebel
Dear future environmental scientist,
Welcome to environmental sciences! You are at the start of your study
Global Sustainability Sciences. An excellent choice of course! When you read
the newspaper, watch the news and/or look around on the internet you can
see the problems related to the environment are accumulating. With your
study program you will learn to analyze these problems, to eventually
contribute to the solution. But, going to university isn’t only about gaining
knowledge.
Going to university is also about self-development, both emotionally and
mentally. Storm, and in particular the close friends you make here, are very
important for that. You are already starting to create your professional
network for your life after university. It might seem a bit early to start
thinking about your professional career, but when I look at my own friends,
I met most of them during my time at university. And also my network, the
people offering internships or that give guest lectures, consist mostly of
people I met as a student. During Storm’s introduction week you will
hopefully create friendships that will last for a very long time. Friends that
will make you study even more
fun, friends that you can go for a
drink with, friends that you can
discus environmental issues with,
and friends with whom you might
even start your own business with
because you created an idea during
that fun night in the pub. A future
that might start during this
introduction, but maybe later
during another Storm event.
Have fun!
Karin Rebel
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Detailed Program
Here you will find a more detailed description of everything we are going to
do during the introduction week. Please note: Your mentors or somebody from
the committee will always have a place for you to sleep if you don’t have a
room in Utrecht yet. So you don’t need to worry about that ;) You do have to
bring your own stuff (air mattress, sleeping bag, pajamas and toiletries) if you
want to stay the night. Also try to have a bike available for the week. We
travel to a lot of different places in Utrecht, so it’s easy if can get from one
place to the other quickly.
Monday
On Monday September 5th your introduction week on Utrecht University
will start. You are expected between 8.30 and 9.00 at room Andro c101.
Here we will inform you about how this week will go down and who we are.
After that you will listen to an important speech of Pieter Louwman (your
Study advisor). He will inform you about the things that you have to know
about your study. After Pieter you will get the next speech, this time from
Karin (the head of the department). After this interesting speech you will
meet your mentors. These mentors will give you guided tour around the
Uithof, the science park where your classes will be and they will stay at
your side for the whole week. After the guided tour and a lunch (you have
to bring your own lunch) we will go to the city centre. Here we will play the
fun game Crazy 88. This is a game where you have to do assignments to
earn points. This is a fun way to know the city better. After the crazy 88 you
will go to your mentor’s house. Here you will have dinner and chill with
them.
Tuesday
After an early start on Monday, you can sleep in a bit on Tuesday. We will
gather at 12 pm to start with the DIS. This is the Duurzame Introductie
Stunt or Sustainable Introduction Stunt in English. After this we will split
into two groups and head off to two different excursions. The first group
will visit the Griftpark, an old gas factory terrain that has been transformed
to a popular park. The other group will visit CU2030, a project that
improves and renews the station area and that has to deal with all problems
that come with that (e.g. soil contamination). The evening will have a very
special start, the first activity of the lustrumcommittee. They will announce
the program for the lustrum week in a very special way. After this you will
have dinner with you mentors again and at 11 we will head to the Poema
for a night of dancing.
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Wednesday
Today (after being able to sleep in a bit) you will have your first lecture!
After this educative day, we will go to the Staff-Student drink. You can relax,
have a chat with the professors and of course you can have a drink. Then,
we will cycle to the city center to eat a delicious pizza at Mr. Jacks. You
might think you can relax now, but no: we will test your knowledge about
Utrecht (and a lot of other things) in our famous Pubquiz!
Thursday
Today you have to get up early for the second lecture of the week. After this
Klaas van Egmond, our patron, will give a presentation. We have kept the
rest of the afternoon free so you can get your strength back for the weekend
and to do your packing.
Friday
Finally! It’s time for the camp! We are going to the beautiful Ameland. We
will meet at 10:00 at the Uithof and travel to the boat with our touringbus.
This boat is not a normal boat, it is a seal spotting boat! After some time on
the sea with the seals we will arrive at Ameland and bike to the place we
will stay. This will be around 18:30 so we’ll be hungry! After dinner we are
going to drink and maybe play some games and then we will go out and
party at the Swinging Mill!
Saturday
Today we’ll wake you at 9:00 a.m. Then we’ll have breakfast in the dining
room. After that we have organised a nice excursion for you which is a walk
on the beach with ecology students from the University of Groningen. They
will tell us everything about the extraordinary nature of Ameland. In the
afternoon there will be committee talks, where you’ll get to know
something about every committee. After these talks there is some free time.
We have a grass field next to the accommodation where we can play sports
and games. After dinner we’ll do the last real event of the introduction
week; the ‘bonte avond’, freely translated as colourful evening. Every group
will present an act to the rest of the group.
Sunday
We have unfortunately reached the last day of the introduction. We will get
up at 8.30 and after packing and cleaning up head back to the boat. On the
mainland the busses are waiting to tack us back to Utrecht (the Uithof)
where we will arrive around 17.00.
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Packing List
In Utrecht:
- A bike
- Wallet (including OV-chip, ID, bank card and student card)
- Mobile phone
- Pen and paper
- Lunch
Do you need a place to sleep?
If you don’t have a place to sleep during the introduction, don’t panic! It is
possible to stay with your mentormom/mentordad or with one of us, the
introcommittee. Just take a sleepingbag, a sleepingmat, your pajamas and
toiletries with you.
On Ameland
- Lunch
- Sleeping bag, pillowcase, fitted sheet
- Wallet (including OV-chip, ID, bank card and student card)
- Underwear and clothes for all types of weather
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Extra shoes (that can get really dirty) and flipflops (for in the shower)
- Swimwear
- Rainwear
- Sunglasses
- Sportswear
- Clothes for going out
- Mobile phone and charger
- Pajamas
- Towel and toiletries
- Flashlight
- Gift for the committee and you mentormom and -dad
- Soup plate, a fork, a knife, a spoon and a cup
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Route
To get to the
Androclusgebouw from
the central station you
take either bus 28 or 12
and get out at stop
“Heidelberglaan”. After
getting off the bus, go to
the Bisschopsteeg, this is
the small alley between the
buildings that has a small
river on the left side.
Follow this alley until you
stand in front of a tall
white and blue building,
cross the street here and turn left. Follow this street, turn right at the end
and then left almost immediately. On the right side is the building you need
to be. When you enter, go up the stairs, there will be somebody from the
committee waiting for you.
If you arrive by bike, you can put your bicycle in the shed underneath the
building.
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Contact Details
Email Address:
[email protected]
Phone numbers:
Milan:
+31657373285
Lusanne: +31649873500
Lieuwe:
+31630119082
Juul:
+31624923027
Ellen:
+31653766818
Yannis:
+31628184317
Juliette:
+31627928119
The Stormroom
Marinus Ruppertgebouw 002
Leuvenlaan 21
3584 CE Utrecht
Phone: +31302532164
Weekend Location
De Hollumer Trap
Pietje Miedeweg 3
9162 EH Ballum
Ameland – the Netherlands
Phone: +31519556669
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