Travelers / Committee

Name: Frank Aarns
Date of Birth: December 27, 1985
Specialisation: Construction Engineering & Management
Function: Chairman

Frank is the chairman of the committee and responsible for the overall progress of the Study Tour. He was born on the early morning of December 27th 1985 in the beautiful city Nijmegen. He grew up in Elst and on the age of eighteen he decided to move to Enschede to study Civil Engineering and Management at the University of Twente. After organizing the civil engineering journey to Poland in 2006 and building concrete canoes in 2007, he searched for a new challenge beside his study. Because of his passion for travel, encouraged by his backpacking experience in Scotland and Norway, he decided that it was time for a bigger trip. Organizing the study tour offered him the perfect opportunity to see more of the world and to have some (personal) development beside his study. In his spare time he likes sports, particularly playing volleyball and riding his mountain bike. And because of his new job as Royal Dutch Army National Reserve he started jogging again. Beside sports Frank has a passion for Formula 1 and when he has time and money he likes it to travel.

Name: Arjan Zeekant
Date of Birth: July 4, 1986
Specialisation: Water Engineering & Management
Function: Secretary & Treasurer

As Secretary and Treasurer Arjan is responsible for the paperwork and the money. Arjan was born on the 4th of July 1986. In his early years he grew up in the village of Westervoort. Because Westervoort lies next to the rivers Rhine and IJssel Arjan has a fascination for water systems since his youth. Therefore it’s clear for Arjan that he will continue his education with the Master Water Engineering & Management. Since Arjan went to high school in Arnhem he got fascinated by the local football club Vitesse Arnhem. The most remarkable highlights in Arjan’s Gelredome experiences were the victories on AFC Ajax, NEC and de UEFA Cup 3th round meeting with Liverpool FC. Besides the local hobbies Arjan likes to travel. Now that Arjan has visited most areas of Europe Arjan wants to see more of the world. In 1995 already Arjan visited Bangladesh on the Asian continent. South Africa will be a nice country to visit next. And with the preparation being done Arjan has confidence in making the study tour a lifetime experience.

Name: Marco ten Klooster
Date of Birth: December 26, 1986
Specialisation: Construction Engineering & Management
Function: PR Commissioner

Christmas is extra special for Marco because he was born on 26^th December (1986). Marco grew up in a small village called Broekland in a family of seven people. Here he started to learn about life and developed his own individuality and now ended up as student of the University of Twente studying Civil Engineering and Management. At the moment of writing Marco enjoys the student time what’s often called as ‘the best period of your life’. Up to this moment he can endorse that because I’ve lots of fun with my colleague students and learn a lot. Not only getting knowledge of the civil world but also of myself and others. Sometimes it’s hard to combine the factors fun en studying, knowing that we are bounded by time. The fun part consists in playing soccer, member/board of a fraternity and being with friends and family and the studying part consists in college and being PR-commissioner of the study tour ‘Gateway to Africa’. ‘Carpe diem’ fits perfectly to Marco’s personality. He likes to be busy with the factors mentioned above and has pleasure by doing it. Every day has a start and end, and between these points Marco wants to fill my time right and enjoy it.

Name: Jasper Middelkamp

Date of Birth: January 29, 1987

Specialisation: Water Engineering & Management
Function: Travel Commissioner

On the 29th of January 1987 in a small village next to the river IJssel, named Wijhe, a small boy was born. In his youth he was very interested by the river and this was of importance for his further life. After he finished primary school he went to Raalte to do pre-university education. After six successful years he decided to put his interest for the river in practice. He started the study Civil Engineering & Management at the University of Twente in Enschede. Here he came in touch with Student Association ConcepT. In his first year he was persuaded to become an active member of ConcepT. First he went into the activities-committee, were he organised many varying activities. In his second year it was time for a somewhat more serious challenge. With a few other students he organised a journey to Ireland. During this successful trip there were many projects visited. The Irish culture was also explored during this trip. After the announcement that a new study tour was organised, it directly had his interest. He decided to apply for a function in this commission. He got selected to be a part of a unique group that has the honour to organise a study tour.

Name: Coen Obdeijn

Date of Birth: February 25, 1985

Specialisation: Transportation Engineering & Management
Function: Excursion Commissioner

Coen is the excursion commissioner of the committee and responsible for arranging the excursions which will be visited during the Study Tour. Coen was born at February the 25^th 1985 in Raalte. He grew up in Raalte and after finishing his pre-university education he decided to start studying Electric Engineering at the University of Twente. After four months of studying Electric Engineering, he found out the study wasn’t to his likings. He quit studying Electric Engineering and started studying Civil Engineering & Management the next college year. Civil Engineering & Management was to his likings and he obtained his Bachelors Degree in 3 years, after finishing his internship at Royal Haskoning. Coen likes to travel and has great interest in Civil Engineering projects. Now he can combine travelling and his passion for civil engineering by organising a Study Tour. Because he has seen most of the European countries, the Study Tour is also a great opportunity to discover a culture outside of Europe.

Name: Reinout de Oude

Date of Birth: May 8, 1985

Specialisation: Water Engineering & Management
Function: Research Commissioner & Vice-Chairman

Reinout will fulfill the task of research and education commissioner and is responsible for the whole study aspect of the study tour. Reinout was born in the spring of 1985 on the 8^th of May in the Flevopolder. He grew up in Zeewolde and took for his pre-university education every day a ferry boat to the “old land” to reach his school. In the Flevopolder and at the boat he gained his interest in water engineering, which led to the decision to study Civil Engineering & Management in Enschede. In Enschede he decided that he wants to see more of the world. So he went abroad to Vietnam for his Bachelor internship which he carried out at the Hanoi National University of Science. This experience increased his passion to travel, so didn’t hesitate to join this study tour commission. Besides this passion for travelling Reinout likes to do cycling racing and goes through the forest on his mountain bike. In the winter he likes to go to the mountains to ride his snowboard.