XLVth Board
President
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Pieter, and I’m the 45th President of SPIL, as well as Commissioner Brussels and Commissioner Lustrum. I finished my studies in International Relations and Organizations last year, and will be opening this year taking electives, working and doing a board year. I am Dutch, I live in The Hague, and in my free time I love to cook, and spend time with friends!
I joined SPIL during freshman weekend 2022, and in the following year I got the chance to serve on the Education committee where we organised educational events surrounding relevant political themes throughout the year. Since then, I’ve had the chance to be a member of the Dies committee, in which we organised SPIL’s birthday week with fun activities raging from laser gaming to the Dies lecture with Frans Timmermans! My favorite part of being a SPIL member, though, has been going on the trips, and visiting locations like Czechia and India. The community I found during those trips is what motivated me most to apply to join the board.
For the upcoming year as a member of the board, I am most excited about the Lustrum, a special birthday we celebrate every 5 years. This year’s lustrum will have a bunch of exciting activities across two weeks, from a gest lecture to our annual Gala and beer cantus! I also cannot wait to meet new SPIL members and hangout with them in our common rooms 🙂
Cheers,
Pieter
Contact: president@spilplaats.nl
Secretary
Hii everyone,
My name is Josephine van Os and this year I will be the Secretary on the 45th board of SPIL. I am 20 years old and grew up in the beautiful Barendrecht. This year I will be in my third year of International Politics.
My first SPIL memory was the Freshmen Weekend in 2023. There I was immediately convinced to apply for committees and become an active member since I felt so welcomed by everyone. Within the past two years I have made great SPIL memories already, from the late nights in Prague to the karaoke at Gekke Geit and from visiting the Dutch parliament to discovering Delhi, I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.
This year I’m looking forward to meet new people, attend interesting excursions, sing karaoke until my voice is gone and make new memories. I cannot wait to see you in one of the common rooms or at the activities we will organise!
Lots of love,
Josephine
Contact: secretary@spilplaats.nl
Treasurer
Dear SPIL members,
My name is Nena and I am the treasurer of the 45th board. I’m 18 years old and a second-year student of national political science. My hometown is Vleuten (or, to make things easier: Utrecht), but I now live in Leiden.
I first got to know the SPIL during the El-Cid, and since then I’ve become increasingly involved in the association. I joined the festive committee and could often be found at social activities and parties. I also happily joined trips to Brussels, Barcelona, and Leuven.
Some of my favorite memories were definitely made during those trips: being abroad together, enjoying the culture, and occasionally visiting an embassy. It’s the perfect way to make lifelong friends and unforgettable memories.
I’m really looking forward to the coming year, filled with activities, excursions, drinks, parties, trips, and so much more. Hopefully I’ll see you there too!
Love,
Nena
Contact: treasurer@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner Education and Politics
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Evy Verbrugge and I am the 45th commissioner Education & Politics. I am 18 years old and this year will be my second year National Politics in Leiden. I grew up in the south of Netherlands in Eindhoven.
Last year when I joined SPIL during the EL CID I could have never imagined I would do a board year. Throughout the year with every borrel, excursion and party I felt more at home at SPIL. I hope to give many of our members the same feeling.
I can’t wait to see what amazing activities and memories this upcoming year will bring! I am looking forward to talking to a lot of new SPIL’ers during visits to institutions, educational lectures, borrels and exciting trips. See you soon in the common rooms for a chat with a coffee or tea!
Lots of love,
Evy
Contact: educationpolitics@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner Internal Relations
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Casijn de Haas. I am currently a second year International Politics student in Leiden. I am the 45th Commissioner Internal Relations and Festive. My SPIL experience started when I celebrated my 17th birthday on Freshmen Weekend 2024, which makes me 18 now.
SPIL felt like home, which is why I did two committees in my first year, one of which was DEBAT. Writing for DEBAT was an amazing experience and I am honoured to be overseeing the committee this year. In my free time I play the guitar as often as possible. I love listening to music of all genres. I am beyond excited to witness the creativity of the Festive Committee. From legendary parties to sporty activities or relaxed borrels. When biking back to my home in a former monastery I always listen to podcasts to get me through the biting headwind. Therefore, I am eager to discover the creations of the Podcast Committee. The yearbook is always last, but never the least. My long term memory is not the best, so I am blessed by the existence of the Yearbook Committee. This SPIL-year will undoubtedly include so many incredible memories that will be captured in the yearbook.
I hope to see you around this year at one of SPIL’s many activities, or in the common rooms!
All the best,
Casijn
Contact: internalrelations@spilplaats.nl
Commissioner External Relations
Dear SPIL’ers,
My name is Eleana Cadet, and I am part of the 45th board! I’m French-Greek-Vietnamese, but when people ask me about my nationality, I usually just say Greek and French. I was born and raised in Greece, but I did all of my schooling in a French school, so I like to think I’m a mix of both cultures. What makes me Greek is definitely my obsession with freddo espressos (it took me years to get used to drinking hot coffee), and what makes me French… according to many people, is the way I dress!
I joined SPIL during the IRO Orientation Day, but it actually took me some time to get truly active, mostly because of my shyness. My first real step was becoming treasurer of the Brussels Committee, which helped me slowly grow more confident and involved. One of the highlights of my SPIL journey so far was the Summer Trip to Morocco last year, where I met incredible people and created unforgettable memories.
This year, I’m really looking forward to working with my committees: Organising the next Summer Trip, building new partnerships, and creating fun content for SPIL’s social media. Most of all, I’m excited to share new adventures, get to know more of you, and help create the kind of memories that make SPIL feel like home.
Bisous,
Eleana
Contact: externalrelations@spilplaats.nl