Sebastian Becker - Candidate Chairman
Dear members, my name is Sebastian Becker and I am the Candidate Chairman of the 64th Candidate Board of the Faculty Association Ibn Battuta. I am originally from Germany, specifically the city of Ingolstadt, close to Munich. Before moving to Groningen I worked in Finance and attempted to study economics, but quickly discovered that this is not for me. That’s why I am currently in my second year of Spatial Planning and Design. Since starting my studies, I have been active at our Association, first in the FYC and currently in the Projectgroup Strategic Policy and in the BEC, organising our trip to Morocco. Those were and still are great experiences. Next to this I like to go swimming, go for a walk or enjoy a BBQ in the park. Hope to meet you in the upcoming time, at activities or in our beloved Coffee Room.
Julia Bökkerink - Candidate Vice Chairman
Hi members! My name is Julia Bökkerink and I am very excited to be the Candidate Vice Chairman of the 64th Candidate Board of the Faculty Association Ibn Battuta. I'm 20 years old and I'm currently in my second year of the bachelor Spatial Planning and Design. I come from Nijverdal, a small village in Overijssel but I have lived in Groningen now for almost 2 years. From the start of the first year I was very excited to become more active at Ibn Battuta. I joined the FYC and followed it up in my second year with the Wintercom which I enjoyed both a lot! This made me very motivated to apply for the Board. Next to being an active member I love to dance at Ramé and do gymnastics at STUG and of course to hang in and around the coffee room :) I'm very thrilled for the upcoming year and to see you all at the activities or in the coffee room!!
Francesco van Strien - Candidate Secretary
Dear Ibn’er,
My name is Francesco van Strien, and I am proud to be the 64th Candidate Secretary of our beautiful Association! I’m 19 years old and currently in the second year of Spatial Planning & Design. I grew up in a small town in Friesland, where I learned to make my own fun. From small my mom and grandfather taught me to be creative and inventive. In my free time you’ll often find me in the kitchen cooking dishes from all over the world, especially Chinese and Italian cuisine. I have a deep passion for music, and love to DJ whenever I get the chance. On top of that I enjoy doing graphic design.
Soon after starting my studies in Groningen, I fell in love with the city and our Association. It is for that reason that I now live in Groningen, after one and a half years of traveling back and forth between Friesland and Groningen. You might know me from last year’s Sports and Games Committee, this year’s Foreign Excursion Committee or maybe you’ve seen me behind the decks with the Ibn DJs! Now that I moved to Groningen, I also play football at G.S.V.V. The Knickerbockers on Zernike!
I can’t wait for all the memories we will make together in the coming year and I hope to see you all soon!
Sarah ten Dam - Candidate Treasurer
Dearest Ibn’er, my name is Sarah ten Dam, and I’m glad to introduce myself as the Candidate Treasurer of the 64th Candidate Board of the Faculty Association Ibn Battuta. I’m 18 years old and moved to Groningen in 2023 to start the Bachelor's programme in Human Geography and Planning. Before that, I spent all 17 years of my life in a small city called Goor, in the east of the Netherlands. Moving to Groningen was a big change, but I’ve loved every moment of it!
Joining the First Year Committee in my first year turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made — it really sparked my enthusiasm for the Association. Since then, I’ve become even more involved and am currently active in the Foreign Excursion Committee, Almanac Committee, and Lustrum Committee.
Although my schedule doesn’t really allow it at the moment, I used to be an active member of G.S.Z.V. de Golfbreker. Instead of swimming I now spend my free time going for drinks with friends, visiting museums, or watching travel documentaries.
Whenever I visit the Coffee Room, it always feels like a welcoming and safe space, so you’ll often find me there. Hope to see you around!
Isabelle de Groot - Candidate Commissioner Internal Relations
Hey everyone, my name is Isabelle de Groot. I am beyond enthused to be able to represent Ibn Battuta as Candidate Commissioner Internal Relations of the 64th Candidate Board! I am 21 years old and Dutch, though I grew up in Bangladesh, Austria, the Netherlands and Ukraine. In 2022 I moved to Groningen to pursue the bachelor Human Geography and Planning, and of course partake in student life! Attending most of our activities in my first year gave me both friends and so much appreciation for our Association! My experiences in the Ex'Cie, PIP, Wintercom, Projectgroup Dies, Lu'Cie and now the A'Cie have each been so positive that I knew it was time to finally apply for a position in the Board!
Next to the Faculty Association, I enjoy having dinner and going out with my Jaarclub as a member of Dizkartes! Then every couple weeks I go home to the Hague to see my mom and cats :). I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for me and my fellow Candidate Board Members, and I hope to share my love for Faculty Association Ibn Battuta with you all at upcoming activities!
Yelte Hiddinga - Candidate Commissioner External Relations
Dear Ibn’er,
My name is Yelte Hiddinga, and I am happy to tell you that I am part of the 64th Candidate Board as Candidate Commissioner External Relations. I am currently 19 years old and originally from the town of Nagele. I started studying SPD in 2023, and shortly after starting, I also moved to Groningen. Since then, I have enjoyed every part of living in Groningen.
After already having joined some Ibn Battuta events, I signed up for the First Year Committee. After that, I wanted to do some more within the Association, and thus I joined the Almanac Committee when it reopened. Together with my committee members there, we produced a beautiful almanac called Odyssey. Currently, I am in the Sports and Games Committee and Projectgroup Bakkeveen, which I both enjoy. Next to the Association, you can mainly find me at the football field or in my room, either playing guitar or drawing. I also enjoy watching football or playing a game of darts with my roommates. I try to go home almost every weekend to have some time with my parents and little brothers.
I really look forward to the upcoming period, and cannot wait to enjoy it together with you guys and with my fellow Candidate Board Members. Much love.
