What a 20-year old Erasmus student does in a municipal council

No ads but summer memorandums and committee meetings rather than evenings spent carousing…

“An amazing rollercoaster is the best description of the last six months. Being a council member in Rotterdam is practically a full-time job and after the elections, you really get thrown in the deep end. Particularly because there are lots of new people in our party, you get masses of paperwork. That made life very hectic during the first months, but you soon get used to it.”

“I’m not the youngest council member, but I am the only student. The nice thing is that I’m also responsible for subjects that relate more to young people, like hospitality and events. I also consciously try to be the link between the council and young people.”

“Progress in my studies has been slightly more problematic. Last September I embarked on my master. Since January, I’ve been spending more time campaigning than studying and things have only gotten busier. I did do a full-time internship, but I also need to find time to complete my thesis. That’s hard, but I still hope to graduate before 2019.”

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On the campaign trail with Elene

If it’s up to D66’s Elene, the days of Rotterdam’s white old boys’ network are numbered

Elene (D66) advocates a radical feminisation and rejuvenation of politics.