XLIVth Board
President
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Sem van der Voort and I will be the president of the 44th board this year. I am 20 years old and a third-year International Politics student. My SPIL journey really took a lift after the short trip to Lisbon two years ago. After this trip, I was fully convinced that I had found my place and people.
In my two years of SPIL I have experienced multiple unforgettable moments. From happy hours in Lisbon to talking to strangers in a random kebab place in Brugge. However, what remains an integral part of this association and one of the things I enjoy most are the karaokes. On trips, during DIES-week and some random karaoke’s, I like them all.
Personally, I just love that SPIL is the place where people meet, share their stories and become friends. I therefore can’t wait to get to know plenty of new and old SPIL’ers in the coming year. I really hope to see you around!
Bisous,
Sem van der Voort
Contact: president@spilplaats.nl
Secretary
Hi everyone!
My name is Judith Hordijk and I will be the Secretary of the 44th Board of SPIL. I am 20 years old and this year will be my second year in International Politics. My first encounter with SPIL was during Freshmen Weekend in 2023. I immediately joined the Excursions Committee. As time went on, I attended more and more SPIL activities and found myself spending a lot of time in the common room.
At SPIL, I met so many new people and created beautiful memories. The activities ranged from informal borrels to exciting trips and interesting excursions. I hope the upcoming year will be just as great as last year.
I can not wait for it all to begin! I am very excited for this new adventure with my fellow board members!
Hopefully, I will see you around in the common rooms and at all our events!!
Lots of love,
Judith
Contact: secretary@spilplaats.nl
Treasurer
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Janneke and I am the 44th treasurer of SPIL. I’m a 19 year-old IRO student and I grew up in Vriezenveen (Twente), but I now live in the beautiful Leiden.
During my free time I love to read, play oboe, visit museums and bake. So don’t hesitate to share your favourite recipe with me! Last year I was part of multiple committees and met so many amazing new people, which ultimately made me apply for board!
I am really looking forward to the upcoming year! Meeting many new SPIL’ers, going on amazing trips, singing my lungs out at the Dies karaoke, visiting many interesting institutions, chatting with all of you at the borrels, and not to be forgotten, making a lot of memories with my fellow board members. I know for certain that we are going to have a blast! I hope to see you all for a chat in the common room or at one of the amazing events we will be organizing!
Lots of love,
Janneke
Contact: treasurer@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner Education and Politics
Hi everyone!
My name is Ralph, I am 19 years old and I just finished my first year of International Politics in Leiden. But next year, I’ll be the new Commissioner Education & Politics! I’m very excited to organise all sorts of events and excursions together with the committees and make it a year to never forget.
Last year, I would’ve never expected to be in this position right now, but I’ve had so much fun with SPIL during the year that it feels very right to do. The best memories I have from last year are from the Short Trip to Prague, which was one of the most fun trips I’ve made in my life. I also really enjoyed the gala, which to my mind had great music and I loved to see everyone dressed so nicely.
Next year, I’m looking forward to doing these all over again, and to provide all of you with a lot of fun and interesting excursions, activities and educational events based on what’s happening in the world, and to help you network with all kinds of different people and institutions. So I hope to see all of you around at one of our activities or in our common rooms next year and to get to know you!
All the best,
Ralph
Contact: educationpolitics@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner Global Relations
Dear SPIL'ers,
My name is Jules Fockens. I am a 3rd year IRO student in 2024-2025 and I will be Commissioner Global Relations on the 44th Board of SPIL. Some of you might know me from past year’s activities, which I attended many of. For those that do not know me, I joined the Short Trip to Lisbon as my first SPIL activity where I immediately made many friends and cherishable memories. As a result of me being from Tilburg and having a drastic urge to get as far away from there as possible, I developed a passion for travelling and the SPIL trips augmented this feeling.
With the amazing range of different SPIL activities, there is never a dull moment. The memories created during these activities forms a strong bond between the members and it is an aspect of the association I value greatly. My favourite activities, apart from the trips, are the karaoke sessions and the parties. They are a great opportunity to meet new people and see everybody's hidden singing talents.
For next year, I hope to organise a great trip to Brussels, and an amazing Short and Long Trip! I can’t wait to see familiar faces after the summer break and I am even more curious to all the new members. Nevertheless, I am sure it will be an awesome year.
See you,
Jules
Contact: globalrelations@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner Internal Relations
Dear SPILers,
My name is Lilli Helin, and I’m the 44th Commissioner Internal Relations and Festive. I’m a second-year IRO student and come originally from Finland. I sometimes fit the Finnish stereotypes a bit too well – I love coffee, saunas and ice hockey. Nowadays, I live in The Hague, and in my free time, I enjoy doing sports and going out for coffee with friends.
I joined SPIL my first-year during HOP week and got the chance to be in the amazing excursions committee with whom I got to experience a lot! I always loved the community aspect of SPIL which is one of the main reasons I decided to apply for the board.
For the upcoming board year, I’m particularly excited to preview all the new issues of DEBAT and to organize all kinds of fun social events and parties with the Festive Committee (all ideas are very welcome :)). I’m also super thrilled to dive better into the Dutch student culture and to meet all new and old SPILers!
With love,
Lilli
Contact: internalrelations@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner External Relations
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Soizic, and I am the Commissioner External Relations of the 44th board! I’m 20, in third year IRO and qualify as fake Dutch. Why? I was born in Belgium but I’ve lived in (or near) The Hague most of my life, so I speak Dutch, not Flemish 🙂
SPIL has been a massive part of my life ever since I decided to join IRO. From being an anxious first year student at Freshman Weekend in August 2022 to becoming board in September 2024, what an unexpected rollercoaster! I could have never imagined I would be writing this, and be the one to post it on this website as well.
Throughout this year, you can expect me to be hanging around one of the common rooms procrastinating, or out with my friends on some random adventure. I spend the majority of my time socialising, so if you see me around feel free to come talk, you’ll probably be saving me from extreme boredom.
I’m so excited for everything this year will hold, especially making the promotion and after movies for the activities you all will be attending and organising!
Love,
Soizic
Contact: externalrelations@spilplaats.nl