Introduction: Hilde

Hello everybody,

First of all, let me just say that I am thrilled to be a part of this. I am really looking forward to getting to know you all.
My name is Hilde (which is unpronounceable in English, I’m sorry), I’m 19 and I live in the Netherlands. When thinking about the Netherlands, most people are instantly reminded of our drugs policy, the Red Light District and our national football team, but I grew up away from all that. I am from a very small town near the coast, with just one set of flashlights, a population of about 8000 and no high schools. We have five wind mills to compensate, though. My town isn’t the kind of idyllic, pretty place you might expect when you hear those characteristics. It’s kind of average-looking and there is not much to do, but I really like living here.
As you can probably imagine, it was quite a shock for me to start university in Amsterdam.  I had visited a couple of times, of course, but swerving through a city you don’t know all that well, while trying to get to class on time and having tons of new experiences was very different.  I really wasn’t used to being in a city at all. For instance, I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but when I had my first class there just over a year ago, I rode a bus for the first time in my life.

But I have to say, the last year has been amazing. I got used to Amsterdam within a few months and I made some awesome new friends. Most importantly, I was (still am) really excited about my choice to major in Ancient Greek and Latin (As you can see in my picture, where I am geeking out over a bust of Augustus). I chose to go into this field, because I am fascinated by languages and, in my opinion, Ancient Greek and Latin are the best ones. I love that every single sentence is like a puzzle you have to solve to unlock some secret meaning behind it. And beside all of that, we learn about the cultural aspects of the people that spoke those languages: their history, their religion, their philosophy, their architecture and their art. It’s pretty fantastic.
As to what I want to do after I finish university, I am not really sure. The options in my field are kind of limited. Most people become teachers and that seems like a good option to me, but I’m also thinking about doing something that has nothing to do with my degree and just work for a charity. But then, imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia.

Just to tell a bit more about myself, I thought I would rip off all of your introductions and answer the same three questions.

To start with, what do I like? I love Harry Potter (I’m a Hufflepuff), Nerdfighteria and, like I said, languages. Although, for a person who likes languages as much as I do, I can speak very few. It goes without saying that I enjoy watching YouTube. My favourite channels are the Vlogbrothers, HankGames, elmify, hayleyghoover and MyHarto. Beside that I have some pretty uninteresting hobbies: I like to read, write, draw, play saxophone and ride bikes (very Dutch of me, I know). My favourite writers are J.K. Rowling, John Green, J.D. Salinger, Ovid and Vergil.

Secondly, what do I dislike? I am overall a positive person and I don’t get annoyed easily, but there are a couple of things that can  drive me a little crazy. For example, I don’t it when people complain about public transport. Maybe even more annoying are the people nodding their head fervently in agreement and repeating all the same arguments . It also annoys me when people don’t at least try to understand each other. I think it would help if we all imagined ourselves into other people’s places every once in a while, because I don’t like when people refuse to step out of their own set of principles and believes to learn more about other people.

And finally, what are some random facts about me? When I find money on the street, I add some; I always have to wear socks that match the t-shirt I’m wearing and my favourite Harry Potter character is Minerva McGonagall. Also, I have never done drugs in my life, I stay away from the Red Light District and I know absolutely nothing about Dutch football. I am, however, a supporter of both the Swindon Town Swoodilypoopers and Liverpool Football Club.

 

DFTBA and best wishes,

Hilde