Living the Student Life
In Living the Student Life, every month a student will talk about his or her life as a student. This includes the extra curricular activities one is involved in, jobs one has on the side, the party life, but also ones studying abroad experience. Many of our Liberal Arts and Sciences students will be out and about in the fall semester and some of them will tell their story here.
-
Dear fellow students,
My name is Gerard Tosserams, second year Liberal Arts student enjoying the law major. Few years ago I have been trying to find my luck in Eindhoven at the university of technology while studying electrical engineering but somehow I ended up in Tilburg studying Liberal Arts.
I have been asked to write something non-study related so I’ll elaborate a bit on my personal life. Although I changed studies to Tilburg I’m still living in Eindhoven basically because most of my friends live there and I’m a member of the student association ‘Demos’. A student association will cost you time, but gives you lots of good experiences and friends in return. There are, however, ways to overdo this, not implying that I did of course. Nevertheless, I have been active also in establishing Extra Muros last year, which is improving ever since!
Next to being a student I’m also a volunteer at the world’s biggest and oldest youth organization the Young Mens Christian Association, better known under its acronym YMCA, and -no I’m not the cowboy, or the police officer for that matter. The YMCA seeks to support and develop young people in body, mind, and spirit, along the red triangle of the logo. YMCA The Netherlands, for example, organizes over 100 camps including active, cultural camps or exchanges; in addition we offer camps for refugees, single parents, elderly, and people that can’t afford to spend much money. On the other hand, it shouldn’t come with surprise that YMCAs all over the world have numerous professional sports teams, hostels, and active representatives on all political levels. Last week, for example, a YMCA delegation advocated for children’s rights at the UN Human Rights Council, but we were also present at COP15. One of my positions is being a youth representative, representing YMCA Europe in institutions such as the European Youth Forum.
To earn some money every now and then I’m working as a freelance sound engineer. I love hobbies, including reading, music, and playing the piano and saxophone. Well guys that’s it for now. Good luck with the exams and enjoy your summer holidays!
-
In my first year of doing Liberal Arts (third being a student) I was fortunate enough to see a presentation of the student debating society of Cicero at the beginning of a lecture of mine. That year I became an active member, with debating every Wednesday night and about 4 tournaments that year. But also movie nights, a BBQ, and a weekend in the Belgian Alps, and many diners and drinks. This year I am in the board of Cicero and I became a student ambassador for LAS, which means getting proper training in presentation/listening/communication skills and experience in at home and abroad. It is a wise choice to do something besides Liberal Arts, and I know that going in the board of Cicero or becoming an ambassador: fun, educative, and you make good money.
