Keeping busy in the Netherlands has been no difficult task, I’m enjoying my time yet I haven’t gotten to write the blog in the last three weeks. I’ll be swift to cover my bases.
Leiden ISSA
At Leiden University, I’ve been chosen to be Vice President of the Leiden International Studies Student Association (ISSA). The International Studies program is young, thus the student association is helping bridge the theoretical study to the practical and the social. To highlight the events we put on with partner institutions, as well as our faculty, I started a Tumblr to keep in contact with the students. Thanks to everyone who congratulated me on this new ‘job’ on LinkedIn.
Tweet in regards to first event I promoted on behalf of Leiden ISSA.
Review of Conflicting Narratives in Israel/Palestine at @HagueInstitute & @TheIHJR http://t.co/RFp54pxJhT #nakba1948 pic.twitter.com/GtpfifA1pg
— Bo-Peter Laanen (@BLaanen) March 9, 2015
Studying itself has picked up quite steam quite a bit as I head into week 7 of the program. Though I only have classes three days a week, I need those other two to get through all the reading and papers, if not more time! Next to a Core Course and Thesis seminars, which cover the primary topics of the study, I’m focusing on Middle East International Political Economy. Weekly debates and discussions keep me on point in order to debate the finer points of post-colonial or world-systems economic theories in relation to the world today. It’s been a year and a half since I graduated from Berkeley, but I am very happy to have academic brain kicked back into high gear! The biggest challenge ahead will be narrowing down a topic for the Thesis paper and begin the writing process.
Groasis
This week I signed on, on behalf of Laanen the Brand, to seek investors for Groasis, the company that has created plant containers capable of battling drought and desertification; their slogan is ‘Let’s Green the World’. In December 2014, Groasis’ Pieter Hoff was awarded the ‘Green Tulip’ Award from Accenture for the most innovative cleantech product of 2014, the Groasis Greenbox. The Greenbox is a biodegradable version of the original Groasis Waterboxx, which allows for a plant to maintain the water it needs for extended periods of time without the need for irrigation. The biggest advantage of the Greenbox will be its low price point, enabling Groasis to accelerate their mission of creating a more green earth. If you’re interested in hearing more, please email me.
.@groasiswaterbox demos his product a student team @hsrotterdam. The waterbox is a microclimate for plants #nltech pic.twitter.com/XMquGAjihI
— Bo-Peter Laanen (@BLaanen) March 3, 2015
And relax
But of course one cannot have all work and no play, and I am certainly one to enjoy the moments with friends and family. Last night I saw many of the Laanen family at oldest brother Rick’s birthday party. The nephews Rico and Felix were of course happy to see their uncles, as demonstrated by photo below. Earlier this week, Drew and I joined Eric to celebrate his birthday as well. Finally, all of the interns who worked together at the Consulate General in San Francisco, came to the Hague to enjoy a beer together. It goes without saying, that time in the Netherlands, sure moves swiftly!
