In the below mini-interview you'll get to know him a bit already, before you'll meet him in person if you'll follow his course.

Who are you, and what thrills you most?

I am someone who has had a patchwork career, having worked as a lawyer, journalist, researcher in a variety of fields. This probably matches my residential wanderings as well, as I have lived on the Dutch Antilles, the United States and the Middle East. I guess my thrill is giving in to my curiosity: why do people do what they do, what makes them tick? And I used to pursue that curiosity by travel and reading, and now mostly by writing and - but that is a new and unexplored field for me - filming.

What will you be doing in the field of International Studies, and what are you looking forward to?

I will be teaching the Introduction course, and therein I want to show the students the width and breadth of that field, and let them see how much it is about ourselves more than about a world 'out there'.

What is something about you, that most people wouldn't expect?

Hmm. Perhaps that I have been sculpting in wood and stone all my life, and even had a studio for several years, and an exposition of my work.

What would you advise students for the coming year?

Hang on tight, we will meet in person someday, and in the meantime try to make the best of it. One way to do that is to come to the International Cafe, the online hangout we have created. I sense that the students are still a bit hesitant, but we can make it a fun place together where we can meet and share ideas and insights.