Currently, I am a volunteer within an organization of deep-house and UK-house music events within Breda, The Netherlands. This organization is set up by group of students and is called “Broeikas.” I am working with them for a few months now and it helped me develop myself, my interests and my goals for the future. I play a small part in this company, however it brings me joy and happiness to create exciting events for people. I am very eager and enthusiastic to learn more and I want to adapt myself in an industry that is innovating and continually evolving. 

I was a member of the ILM Committee, as a team we organized about 5 parties a year for the students, we organized the round table meeting, we aimed to connect the first year students with the second and third year students and even with the lecturers and supervisors of our academy. The second year fieldtrip is also partly organized by the ILM Committee.  Amongst others things, we also create side events, such as movie nights, sports tournaments, a trip to a football game.  My task in this organization is the communication and planning. I took care of the daily e-mails and planned weekly meetings therefore I felt I had a very important role and I have noticed myself how through efficient communication, organization, delegation and good planning, events can come together.  I have discovered these as my core qualities and as a result with a bit more experience these can become good skills, which I can put to use. Moreover, in both organizations brainstorm sessions are made in order to create new, unique and innovative concepts, particularly in the “Broeikas” events. This enhances my creativity skill and shows that I am willing to bring out more than expected.

I started volunteering at festivals to expand my network. I've volunteerd at Ploegendienst Festival Breda, Extrema Outdoor Festival in Belgium, Rock A Field Luxembourg, Eargarden Festival  Luxembourg and Proton Breda. This helps me to develop skills in the field of the festival industry and also to expand my networking.

Through all these activities, my social and communication skills have improved. I find it important to have good effective communication skills, it is the key to the development of a strong social support network. In my point of view, this skill is not genetically transferred but it is learned through practice and error. Also interacting with people is highly crucial as you get to know other people’s perspectives and not just ones own view but try to understand and see another’s as well. It may be more efficient being open to other’s ideas when working with others on one project, having this skill helps to accept other people’s ideas, values and their thoughts too.

Whilst mentioning all the above performances I have accomplished it made me realize that I have grown into a young learner. When I introduced the prom night to my high school, I became aware that creating events might be my passion, my desire to create events for people who will enjoy and appreciate them.  Therefore I applied for the international leisure management in the Netherlands in order to gain further knowledge and experience within this field. Teachers told me it is the right way to go and that I should follow my interests and stay dedicated.  The studies so far have affirmed that I am on the right path and now I wish to go further into a more specific area, this being within the music and creative industry. I however, do not want to limit myself to work and focus solely on the music industry and I acknowledge that I get a lot of positive feedback on my creative mind and abilities; therefore I would like to use these skills in various projects. I do think there is always room for improvement; learning and experiences all develop the creative mind. In order to follow this procedure, I would like more contact with creative people and learn from them. A weakness of mine is definitely feeling uncomfortable when speaking out to a larger crowd or people. I tend to fear giving a presentation and get nervous. This is one attitude of mine, which I have been working on and hopefully with time and experience I will overcome this hindrance.