Alumni Profiles

The Early Years or the van der puttlyceum times, by Esther van de Riet (now known as Esther Zijlman).

Years attended the VDP: 1976-1981

Nearest picture: Esther aged 16. The other is a recent picture of her with Mr Zey

Before I started at the VDP, I had spent a short period at the RIS where I was put into the ‘sluisklas’ to learn 'Fatsoenlijk Nederlands'. I also had a trial run in the sixth Dutch class.
Due to homesickness for my kiwi country and all things English I was allowed to join my older sister Paula at the English Stream of the VDP.
I had to learn to bike safely to school and the VDP was overwhelming and enormous.
Down in the basement I never found a free bike rack where the early birds stored their bikes so like many others, my bike stayed outside.
Thru the basement turning right toward the cloakroom where, in those days we hadn’t heard of lockers, we just hung our coats and scarves on the hooks.
The kantine was also situated in the basement and it was the place to buy snacks and sweets.
To get to the snack corner, one had to push ones way through the crowds of intimidating seniors and the smokers but at the age of 12, we dared to do that for rose koeken.
Down in another basement we had our main classroom and it was an untidy room imprinting an impression of crowded bookshelves, many, many books and the sound of the heating pipes in my memory. In the winter it was always warm in contrast to the barracks where we would keep our coats on or huddle around the only heater that the class had.
The Sciences class was another main classroom and after Mr Zey joined us in 1978 his domain.
I can’t remember having other English teachers other then Mr Hunt and Mr Morland before that but we also had combined lessons with the Dutch classes.
Mrs Nieuwenhuis taught us Dutch and Music.
The French teacher had a hard time teaching English-speaking kids French and must have despaired over our class and impertinent questions and remarks about the French non-logic.

We had some great teachers back then and I obviously was too arrogant as a teenager to realise or understand that at the time.
Mr Hunt was a very patient teacher and he would explain the same thing over and over again until he was confident enough that I had finally gotten it! Mr Morland knew that my kiwi slang would be become a handicap if I didn’t lose it or at least learn proper English, so he taught me Queens English.
When Mr Holland arrived he had the cool and patience to make sure that this non-artistic girl passed her Art exam. To this day I always think of him when I prepare green peppers, remembering that that was one of my exam assignments. He taught me to look at small details and Mrs Nieuwenhuis taught me to listen to the emotion of music, whatever genre it was.

Of those early days I have few pictures but I do have one of the excursion to the Harbours of Rotterdam and one picture of my first cold and freezing winter when the streets were iced over.
When I get them scanned I’ll send them to Mr Zey.

Our clique would hang out in the aula and catch up on homework or just socialize.
Peter Faber gave our school a performance in that same aula which we were forced to attend and I ran into him a few years back whilst shopping with my youngest daughter. Guess what my 13-year-old daughter remarked when I described the white dungarees and the ladder that he had used as props… Well it had to do with not cool and old age anyway!

Going back to those days I remember the heated class discussions about music. The girls versus boys. Abba and soft rock groups versus KISS, ACDC and UB40. Mr Zey would enjoy these discussions as we had them in his classroom where the boys hogged the backbench and we girls were left with the middle one.
Mr Zey was an easy target to tease but in his own calm way he would tease us back and pull our leg too.
His lessons were never boring and I haven’t forgotten having to dissect hearts, frogs and a cows eye.
Needless to say that to this day I do not eat litchis!
Small classes, just a few teachers who knew us all by name and characteristics and made that extra effort to make sure that we did well.
Whereas Paula my older sister went on into the Dutch school system, I chose In-service nurse training but dropped out before starting and have since then travelled and worked throughout Europe.
I think I dared to take the adventurous road as we had a safe school environment that stimulated a broad path of interests.

Our class at the time thought ourselves to be cheeky and difficult but in truth we must have been a very harmless lot. We were in fact just regular teenagers with the exception that we were a melting pot of nationalities and cultures.
We never followed any courses in integration but just did so to survive in the time and place we were at.
Names of the past are: (my graduating class) Tanya Huyboom, Annetta Kelso, Lydia v.d. Koolwijk, Cathy Lubchenko, Paula Werkhoven, Anirudda Desphapande, Chris Court, Peter Schets, Dave Miller and Jonas Sjorgen.
I also remember Leslie who came from Sheffield (U.K) and Joyce a Dutch girl who lived in the same street as Frits Philips.

Catching up with the clique from the early years would be great and checking if our memories correspond. Also what we would find horrendous at the time; those ugly VDP t-shirts and shorts that were obligatory for gym, the soft ball field across the street and the library where we would look for summarized copies of literature readers and the one model satchel that has now become an expensive collectors item.
How do you guys remember them?

Greeting Esther van de Riet ( now known as Esther Zijlmans)

P.S. Maybe 25 years too late but a small thank you to the teachers of those early days and a sorry for all the difficulties I may have caused (in particular to the French teacher).

Marc Scholey - ISSE Years - 1989 to 1993

Q: What are your recollections of life before coming to the ISSE? Was Holland you first overseas experience?

Before isse I was a happy go lucky farm boy in Saskatchewan (Canada). Aahh the simple life.

Q: What fond memories do you have of your ISSE days

Will never forget the first day - the warm welcome and colorful characters, first love, Prague school trips before and after the wall came down. Have some true blue friends like James Gardiner out of those years so I came out ahead on all counts.

Q: Did your IB education and the ISSE environment provide you with a good start with the rest of your life?

Life is more than a single subject and ib gave a smorgesbord of classes which I think is a great thing. Classes alone are never enough so I see now how much the relationships and out of class activities were a big part of our "education" too.

Q: Tell us a few words about the high points of your life since you left the ISSE.

My 8 month daughter Vanessa is smiling at me right now and trying to grab the mouse - does it get better?

Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now and, in what line of activity?

In five years? Would like to move more deeper in HR - up to now it has been operations, revenue and training.

Q: What advice, if any, do you have for the current students at the ISSE?

Live like you'll die tomorrow learn like you'll live forever - Ghandi's carpe diem sounded good at my recent best man speech and it applies at the isse too. Get off your behind and get excited about something, apathy and complacency has no place in school ie: the opportunity to learn is one of the greatest things, so don't show up to class if you don't care about it!

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Victor Busser - ISSE Years 1986- 90

Before and after ISSE

What are your recollections of life before coming to the ISSE? Was Holland you first overseas experience?
Well, going to Holland was a family experience for us. My parents, I and my sister Astrid lived in Madrid . As you can imagine it was very sunny during almost the whole year and life went by going to school, the pool or just playing football with your friends. As a result, suddenly being in Eindhoven where it was mostly rainy and cold. Where people dressed strange and we could not understand what they were saying was a bit of shock. But it didnt take long to realize that everyone was in the same situation. Everyone was from somewhere else so the bonds between 14 or 15 year old kids, no matter where they were from, became solid and great friendships flourished. I think this web site and the amount of people in it is a tribute to that.

What fond memories do you have of your ISSE days?
I spent 4 years between the Van der Putt and the ISSE. I dont have enough space here to go through all the great experiences but I can tell you that playing basketball with the team and beating the Dutch stream, playing the guitar, the people from all over the world, swimming for the Dutch federation, playing basketball for PSV, going to parties and peoples houses for the first time, the great teachers and what they had to up with (sorry), my bike, my first beer, my first.., the Shaffer brothers, Carina, the Svenson sisters (Does anyone remember them? I certainly do ), Chris and Jon, Pinar the crazy Turk, Tim and Huib, Chris and Anthony (Saw Chris in SF a few years back), Lisbeth.. and my great going away party at the Aloys. Loved every minute of it Oh by the way, Mr. Steve Weatherell did I not score a penalty against you while you where the goal keeper to win the game?

Did your IB education and the ISSE environment provide you with a good start with the rest of your life?
Absolutely, I learnt two languages at the ISSE. The teachers at the school were kind, reasonable and were close to the students since the classes were small and direct contact was not only possible but welcome. Not only that, but as I mentioned before the fact that we were surrounded by so many different cultures: Americans, Japanese, Dutch, Britons, French etc. developed in me something which has been extremely useful. The cross border know how; professionally, culturally and personally when interacting with clients from different back grounds and countries.

Tell us a few words about the high points of your life since you left the ISSE.
I left Holland and went back to Spain but after just a few years it was clear that I had and international vocation which I could no longer ignore due to my experiences at the ISSE. I was kindly invited by the Schaffer family to spend a year with them in South Carolina where I finished my 12th grade and sharpened my English in order to pass my SAT. I will always remain in eternal debt to Barbara, Steve, Brandt and Scott for this year I spent with them. I then joined the Saint Louis University s branch in Madrid where I finished two years of economics and international business. I then transferred to London where I finished 3 years and finalized my university studies in Hamburg where I studied one year.
After this I started working in Real Estate for a British brokerage firm called Healy & Baker which was then bought by the US firm Cushman & Wakefield. Then I joined a US Real Estate developer called the Mills Corporation where I was involved in leasing Europe s largest shopping center back then which included the worlds longest artificial Ski dome. Now I am currently working for a Spanish Outlet developer and I am in charge of the business in Italy and head the expansion procedures in new countries in Europe.
Not much to mention on the personal side of things since I am still looking for my other half which seems to be hiding somewhere. Ok, Im not in much of a rush to find it really !!!!

Where do you see yourself five years from now and, in what line of activity?
Well, honestly I would like to be financially stable and teach.

What advice, if any, do you have for the current students at the ISSE?
I would like to actually share some thoughts with the current teaching staff at the ISSE rather than to current students. Young kids will be young kids no matter where or when. It is them themselves that must realize what and excellent opportunity it is that they enjoy and how fortunate they are. This can not be imposed by others on them. As a result, I invite teachers to continue doing the great job they do, to remember that they may not get the recognition they deserve from young kids who are unaware of the efforts teachers put into their education, but to know that we do realize when time has finally gone by and caught us up. We are eternally grateful for you not giving up on us and making sure we took as much in as possible. In my case it has worked and I thank you all.

Anything to add?
Yes, well, I hope we are still beating the Dutchies at basket !!!!!!

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Yfke van Bergen

ISSE Years

1990-1997

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?

My family moved to Eindhoven from Bangkok, Thailand - my mother is Dutch and her family lives in the neighbourhood. Since we wanted to continue with an international education, my brother Julio and I both went to the ISSE rather than a Dutch school.

When did you start and end your career at the ISSE?

I was at the ISSE (Jerusalemlaan) from 1990-1997.

How well did your years at the ISSE prepare you for higher education and career?

Well, haven't really started on the career yet, since I'm doing a PhD at Cambridge, but IB was great preparation for life at university. When I first started as an undergraduate, 99% of the people in my year had done A levels and felt they were better prepared, but the broad range of subjects that you do as an IB student are really useful in the long run.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have?

I'm really happy doing a PhD here, and am hoping to stay in academia. I would like to do a postdoc in the States when I finish.

Any extracurricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?

Skiing and dancing (ballroom and Latin American).

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers of this newsletter?

The great yearly musicals organised by Mr. Short, MUN weekends and THIMUN with Ms. Forrest.

What advice would you give to the cur rent ISSE students?

Make sure you keep in touch with your friends, and enjoy everything that an international community has to offer! I missed it when I first came to England...

Anything to add?

If anyone at the ISSE is considering applying to Cambridge, then they are very welcome to get in touch with me if they want to ask any questions or want to get some insider's advice! My email address is ychv2@cam.ac.uk

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Jennifer

Davies

ISSE years

1986-1990

Before

More recently

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?

Back in 1985, my Dad got a job with Philips Semi-conductor division. The whole family moved to Eindhoven and I started at the RIS in the 6th grade. After graduating from the RIS I attended the international department of Van Der Putt as a first year high school student. I entered the newly formed ISSE as a second year student in September 1987. I left the ISSE in grade five, just before the Mock examinations. I moved back home to the States in 1990.

How well did your years at the ISSE prepare you for higher education and career?

When I got back to the states, I found that my language, history and math was all advanced for my age level in American high schools. They didn't know quite what to do with me, so I had to take a lot of Freshman classes, like US Government and other things that I hadn't had the chance to take yet. But, I also would not have missed my high school years in the states because I was able to experience education from both spectrums.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have?

I have gotten my undergraduate degree in History and German with an English Literature minor in December of 1997. I had decided to teach History and while waiting for Graduate School to start in the fall of 1998, I began working at America Online (AOL) Inc, in the local call center. I became a technician and my hobby of computers became my love. AOL has a tuition assistance program that I decided to take advantage of and I recently received my Masters in Computer Information Systems last June. I recently was promoted out of the call center arena and into the corporate level of AOL by joining a new department that has just been brought to New Mexico. We still take calls for our members, which I love doing, but now we also help with Compuserve members. The new department grooms the Specialists for other roles that AOL may need us to play. I hoping to get transfered to one of our development teams in the next year as a project leader.

Any extracurricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?

Since beginning to work at AOL, my sister has met and married a fellow technician there and they now have two children. We have both bought homes next door to each other so I spend my days working at a job that I love and my free time spending time with my niece, Bailee (3 months) and my nephew, Peter (2 1/2 years). In fact, Peter spent the night last night and is now "helping" me type this. Whenever I have the vacation time, I travel to Oregon to see my brother, sister-in-law and son there. Quinn is now 4 and will be starting school next year.

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers of this newsletter?

I remember my times at the ISSE full of laughter, friends, learning and of course, sailing camp. I think that being overseas and away from family is one of the hardest things that a kid can do but everyone at the ISSE goes through the same things and helps you to make an extended family at school. I have some friends from the ISSE that I stay in contact with and probably will my entire life. Probably my most rememberable times though have been at sailing camp. Pictures from Talent night could haunt us all. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

What advice would you give to the current ISSE students?

Work hard at your studies, laugh with your friends and always keep in touch when you leave.

Anything else to add?

Of all of my teachers at the ISSE, I will always remember Mr. Zey for his fun science classes when I hated science, for still making me feel like a kid by calling me Jenny and I'll always remember Mr. Schram for introducing me to a history that I love. I would not have chosen history for my undergrad if it hadn't been for him.

Emma Everid

ISSE years

1984 - 1991

Before After

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?

I was living in Holland due to my father moving to a job in Eindhoven

When did you start and end your career at the ISSE?

I was there from the very beginning of the secondary education course to the end. From1984 at the VD Putt to the ISSE until1991.

How well did your years at the ISSE prepare you for higher education and career?

It didn't prepare me very well for my higher education mainly because the school was fairly insular at the time with a good spirit. This was not reflected at my university and it took quite a while to adapt. The 'life lessons' taught are invaluable to this day since having been exposed to so many cultures and people from all over the world has stood me in good stead ever since.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have ?

My only life goal is to be happy. I think I am pretty much there.

Any extracurricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?

Going to Superbike race meetings, supporting Arsenal FC with a passion.

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers of this newsletter?

A variety of school parties, hanging out with my friends. Going to Berlin and Prague & Sailing Camp!

What advice would you give to the current ISSE students?

Remember that you are part of a pretty unique experience that gives you the opportunity to meet so many people from different backgrounds. It will serve you well later in life. The latter also applies to maths - be nice to Mrs Everid (my mum)!

Anything else to add?

Hello to everyone I met at school, hope you are all well and happy.

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James Granger

Years ISSE

1994-2001

At which age do you recall being interested in car designs and what do you think prompted this interest in you?

I've been interested in car design for as long as I can remember. When I was a baby I used to love looking at truck and car magazines and by the age of 15 months I could correctly shout out the name of any make of vehicle pointed out to me. I have always been passionate about cars, and drawing them has always been a favourite pastime. I presume my automotive interest was initially encouraged by my father, as he has been in the automotive business now for over 25 years. I therefore grew up around cars and trucks.

Which event or circumstance led you to take the big decision to make a career of automotive design?

When I was six I won a place in the Cadbury Art Competition. My work was put on travelling exhibition throughout Britain, including the world-famous Natural History Museum in London. This definitely encouraged my decision to base my professional future around art and design.

When I was twelve I wrote to Jaguar to find out more about car design as a profession. Their principal designer took the time to write a really encouraging reply. A couple of years ago a family friend showed my work to contacts at Ford's design centre in Koln. Ford's chief designer Roberto Giachin subsequently gave me advice and encouragement. The relationship very nearly became professional, Roberto asking the board whether I could get student sponsorship. Unfortunately I was turned down for financial reasons, however by this stage I had made up a concrete decision to aim for a profession in automotive design.

Was it difficult to find a suitable college, and are you satisfied so far with your studies?

Roberto told me that I could get a degree from any art school, as long as I did a post-graduate course in transport design at the Royal College of Art in London. Through Leny Klerks I became aware of the Design Academy < www.designacademy.nl > in Eindhoven. Initially I was a bit sceptical, however attending an open door day soon changed my mind. I was very impressed with the level of equipment on offer and appreciated the working atmosphere. The Design Academy is the oldest design school in Europe, has a direct link to the Royal College of Art, and permits an exchange program in the third year to other leading art schools in Europe, Japan and the USA. I managed to get in without any problems, in fact that was lucky as I hadn't given myself any other options to fall back on. I was stunned, however, to learn that there were just under 3000 candidates for roughly 120 places - 3000 being less than normal! I therefore highly advise ISSE students to have more than one choice of placement.

So far the course has proven to be very good. I was entered in the 1st year international stream, which has about 20 students. The college has a lot of international students, with people coming from Argentina, China Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Japan Korea, Macedonia, Switzerland and the USA. After one term I was promoted to the second year, so I am now almost halfway through my four year course. Next year I may do the exchange option and go elsewhere, perhaps London or Milan. The fourth and final year is based on work experience and preparation for the final exam.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from the Design Academy I intend to do a post-graduate course in transport design at the Royal College of Art in London. Normally you become employed on the night of graduation - the RCA being a shopping centre for automotive companies seeking fresh designers. I have also recently started to do professional freelance design work alongside my studies. Projects so far have included graphic design, advertising and webdesign for British companies, not to mention an extension program on an existing truck cab. I am currently designing a customers stand for the 2002 NEC Commercial Vehicle Exhibition and am also face-lifting a truck.

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ABOVE, my proposal for a Jaguar X-Type facelift.

How do you feel about your years at the ISSE: did it do a good job in getting you ready for higher education?

The IGCSE and IB courses in particular have been invaluable to me, but at the end of the day it's all down to the school itself, the ISSE being outstanding. Many lecturers ask me whether I have studied at previous art colleges. Today I was asked whether I had previously gone to either the Royal College of Art or Coventry University before attending the Design Academy.

Unfortunately I have to point out that the ISSE gave me and other fellow graduates an artificial view on life - the class of 2001 was such an exceptional group of people, that settling down at college without them has been quite a challenge!

Do you have any advice for ISSE students?

It does help if you know vaguely what you want to do in life. Your heart can sometimes make a better decision than your head - make sure that the course you choose in later years 'feels' right. Don't be put off by local universities and colleges, you'll be surprised what they have to offer. If you want to do a course in art and design, a local college is really ideal, as such courses are really intense and you will require a lot of work and storage space. Many fellow students find it difficult to work in their cramped rented accommodations, and as an art student it is really difficult to find a room in the first place as art students are seen as messy individuals. Your doting mother may let you mould plastic in her oven but your landlady sure won't!

Thank you James for sharing your thoughts with the ISSE Update readers.

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Jakob Dahlrot

ISSE Years

1985 - 1989

Before

More recently

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?

My father was sent out by the company he worked for at the time to set up shop covering the Benelux area. The office was to be situated outside Rotterdam, but since the best school was in Eindhoven, that's where we decided to move.

When did you start and end your career at the ISSE?

I started 'way back' when the ISSE was still called the English stream at the v. d. Putt Lyceum, 1985 if memory serves me right. I passed my 'O' - levels in 1989 (except French, otherwise I think I did OK), after which we moved back to Denmark.

How well did your years at the ISSE prepare you for higher education and career?

To that I must say very well! What passes for 'A'- levels in Denmark was for me, to a rather large extent a repetition of 4th and 5th grade at ISSE, with the obvious exception of Danish of course. Danish education tend to concentrate less on formal learning, and more on softer issues such as team work, and teaching students to think and act for themselves. Danes have much confidence in students being able to handle themselves. Right now that is the only shortcoming of the ISSE that I can think of.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have?

Currently I'm busy preparing for my final exams at medical school this winter. After that I'll be doing my internship for 1Â½ years, and after that - who knows? I'll most likely specialise in some field, at the moment internal medicine or paediatrics seems likely candidates. I'd like to combine that with a few years abroad - France and/or Spain for instance.

Any extracurricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?

I read quite a few novels; they are vastly more fun than the text books they make you read at university. When I have the money for film development I like to take my cameras out for a spin. Some(!) time I spend tinkering with my computers, some would say too much - and they are probably right. My friends say that I'm a pretty decent cook, no plans for opening a restaurant or any thing, but I do prepare the occasional meal.

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers of this newsletter?

At the v. d. Putt we used to have some terrific snowball fights, English Stream against the Dutch, not much to say about their aim, but boy they could run! There was also a rather absurd incident in Berlin (that was before the demise of the wall). I can't remember if it was in the 4th or 5th grade that we went, and some of the details are probably not entirely correct, this is how I remember it: We stayed at some youth hotel rather close to the Wall. One evening, with one teacher/chaperone down with the flu or something, and the rest out enjoying the Berlin nightlife, and most of us students pretty wasted (those trips always seem to involve large amounts of alcohol don't they), somebody decided to test the quality of a fire extinguisher. In minutes the entire section that we stayed in resembled the day after a particular vicious blizzard. The management threatened to throw us out, and while we to reason with 'Madame' two or three of the teachers came home. Seeing that we seemingly had things in hand, they went out for an other beer. We ended up cleaning up for the better part of the night.

What advice would you give to the current ISSE students?

Not much that they haven't heard before, but: I'm definitely no fan of numerology, but the number 42 is an important one though! And my all time favourite: Do remember -- to forget Anger, worry and regret

Love while you have love to give

Live while you have life to live.

- Piet Hein.

Anything else to add?

Not at this time - take care everyone!

Jakob Dahlrot, Odense, Denmark

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Steve Weatherell, physics teacher.

ISSE years

1987-1990

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?

I came to live in NL and needed a job. My first day was the Saturday you all moved into Jerusalemlaan, in August 1987 (and remained with the ISSE until the summer of 1990). I was interviewed and started on Monday. There is rarely an English-speaking trained Physics teacher around when you need one, as I have since discovered

How well did your years at the ISSE prepare you for on-going career as an educator?

It was a wonderful introduction to the wacky world of international schools, also the start of a lifelong admiration for the IB. Previously I had been teaching in the UK and was not enjoying it. ISSE was my first international experience and I've never looked back.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have?

I wanted to live in exotic countries and I do now. I want to live in more. One is not exactly in the position to choose, but I'm looking for a new post at the moment and destinations as diverse as the US, Belgium, Vietnam, Norway and Singapore have been mentioned.

Any extracurricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?

Crosswords, jazz, fiction and cooking it says on my ceevee, so let's leave it at that.

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers of this newsletter?

Um ... it's a long time ago, but probably singing interminable three-chord songs on the sailing camp. I also saw the Berlin Wall six months before it fell. I also remember every student I taught. Worst memory: Simply Red, live in Nijmegen.

What advice would you give to the current ISSE students?

Don't listen to my advice

Would you recommend Mauritius as a place to live?

I certainly would. We've spent a fine 5 years here and have really enjoyed the country and its people. If you come here on holiday (which is more likely) I would recommend that you get out of your hotel, away from the sterile beaches (admittedly stunningly beautiful, I shouldn't complain) and head for the hills, see how the people live, and the prices they really pay. Before this I lived in Thailand which I can't recommend highly enough, might even go back if they'll have me.

Anything to add?

ISSE is a very special institution and I hope to be part of one of the reunions some day. I'm leaving Mauritius in six months time, n ex t stop ... who knows?

Since the above interview was recorded, Steve Weatherwell moved to Zambia, where he lives and works with his family.

Ben Castle

ISSE years: 1990 to 1996

Excerpt below from Ben's web site <www.bencastle.co.uk>

Ben Castle is a professional guitarist who feels most at home on stage, in front of a buzzed audience. Coming from a background of classic rock influences he progressed to an interest in more technical musicians such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. After studying the guitar through school he relocated to Liverpool to attend Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in 1996. While at LIPA he not only honed his musical skills and sight reading, but also broadened his horizons by taking part in projects encompassing styles as diverse as minimalist music and musical theatre. It was at LIPA that he also greatly improved his ensemble playing by forming a band of like-minded players with the purpose of tackling the most complex rock pieces they could find. These included pieces by Dream Theater, Tribal Tech and Steve Lukather's fusion band Los Lobotomies. Since graduating in 1999 Ben has amassed a broad range of experience, both as a performer with several unsigned bands and in theatre shows such as Rent and Taboo and as a touring guitar technician for artists including Finlay Quaye, The Urge and Space.

The combination of Ben's knowledge and experience makes him an excellent musician to work with at any stage of a project, from rehearsal to stage performance. His rock influences give him a total appreciation of band interaction and coherence, along with a very strong presence on stage and a genuine dedication to communicating with his audience. His guitar playing is primarily rock based, mixed with the harmonic sensibilities of jazz and held together by a supremely tight, funky feel for timing and groove.

55B Burnt Ash Road Age: 25

Lee Green Date of Birth: 26/04/78

London C urrent Status: Self Employed

SE12 8RF

0208 378 6815

07779 100 850

bencastle@postmaster.co.uk

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Lorraine Parker | ISSE Years, 1985 - 1992

What are your recollections of life before coming to the ISSE? Was Holland you first overseas experience?

In 1970 my dad got head-hunted in UK by Philips, and moved to Eindhoven with my mum & sister. I was actually born in Eindhoven soon after… so ‘life before the ISSE’ was at the Van der Putt Lyceum and before that the Regional International School. Yep, I did the whole route! Somehow my parents decided to stay in Eindhoven, so I was lucky enough to experince a colourful multinational educational system without leaving my country!

What fond memories do you have of your ISSE days?

Greta Timmers excellent dissection of Keats’ poetry, I can still recite nearly all of his Ode on Melancoly! Jennifer Anderson’s mighty wrath for all who dared be silly during English (e.g. Daan Dullaert) – she was a sight to behold, and had us in line within minutes of our first class with her! Pieter Schram’s history lessons (which always seemed to be about WW II) and the class trip to East & West Berlin when there was still a wall across the middle (Nyet nyet – Soviet!!); Doris Neutken’s stories about how he avoided the ‘dienstplicht’ by spending a week in bed so he was 1cm over the maximum height and therefore too tall to be enlisted; PJ de Wilde’s cartoons – I wonder if he still does them?; Zey’s biology and chemistry classes – something weird was always bound to come up, like stories about swimming from Cyprus to Greece with a knife/bullet wound in his back / shoulder/ leg, or “oh look everyone! The class-gerbil is eating her babies!”
… and so many more!

Did your IB education and the ISSE environment provide you with a good start with the rest of your life?

Definitly! Being ‘tweetalig’ has been a huge asset during my studies and later in my professional career as clinical research associate.

Tell us a few words about the high points of your life since you left the ISSE?

Nothing huge… I studied biology in Nijmegen, published one article, and began working in pharmaceutical drug studies after that. I live with my boyfriend in our own flat, and regularly visit my mum in Ireland where she remarried (a bridesmaid at my mother’s own wedding!) and now lives on a farm in Co. Kerry.

Where do you see yourself five years from now and, in what line of activity?

The biological clock is ticking away, and there’s a marriage on the horizon, so 5 years from now I see myself with an adoring hubby, 2.5 kids, and a part-time job as clinical trial leader somewhere in New Zealand, preferably in The Shire (hahaha).

What advice, if any, do you have for the current students at the ISSE?

An international school education is a great asset! Use it to its full advantage in opening those doors in the future! Oh, and listen to your teachers, they know what’s best. ;o)

Laura Hayward | ISSE Years, 1992-1999

What are your recollections of life before coming to the ISSE? Was Holland you first overseas experience?

I was only 4 when we moved to Holland, so my recollections of life before the ISSE are in fact those of the years that I spent at the RIS. I was an international-school kid from right through from 4 to 18. Life at the RIS was certainly good, with those Friday-afternoon activities where if you were lucky you were either baking and eating little cup-cakes or learning some dance-moves from Mr Bright (two of the more popular choices of activities). By pure chance I am now living round the corner from the RIS, and when I work from home with the windows open, I can hear the buzzer go and the kids running around screaming outside at break times – it provides a good sense of nostalgia.

What fond memories do you have of your ISSE days?

My fondest memories of ISSE days are much like the fond memories of the RIS. They are of all those other activities outside of the normal classes which made life more interesting: the 24 hour famine in third year (we were the first class to go through it) where we sat up all night in the gym watching videos and laughing at a couple of the “cool guys” who had brought along their electric guitars; the ski-camps where many of us visited Dr Wolfgang for various ailments and were all sorted out with an injection in the left bum cheek (or was it the right?); survival camp in fourth year where we slept in rows under a bit of plastic and were rained on heavily; basketball trainings before school which resulted in a (so-far) life-long passion for the sport; various French teachers who always seemed to be on maternity leave; and our “stunt-day”, which was a tame but proper send off for the class which throughout the ISSE had the reputation of being the sociable ones (impossible to teach, but generally nice people).

Did your IB education and the ISSE environment provide you with a good start with the rest of your life?

So far it seems that growing up in the RIS + ISSE environment has not done me any harm. You certainly have plenty of options open to you for further studies both in Holland and abroad. That can make choosing quite tricky, but then choices generally are difficult. One aspect of the IB education which turned out to be good training for university life was writing the extended essay. Knowing how to formulate a research question, locate and use sources and structure an essay properly are valuable skills. Many of the law students at Tilburg University struggle when it comes to writing essays or their bachelors/masters thesis.

Tell us a few words about the high points of your life since you left the ISSE.

When I finished IB2 I gave myself some time off to see what the world had to offer and spent 9 months traveling. This was probably the best decision I have ever made and I would recommend it to anyone. I had plenty of time to really think about what I wanted to do, and choose which degree course to follow and which country to live in: International Law at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Most of the high points of my life since the ISSE (other than all those days living in a tent) have been packed into the last 12 months. I gained my masters degree in international law, bought a house, started my first real job (in Holland you get paid to do a PhD, so why not?) and got engaged. I have also spent the last 2 years working to establish Holland’s first charity bookshop which has been open since February and is run entirely by student volunteers (a little free publicity if it is allowed: www.books4life.nl ). After the wedding at the end of June our honeymoon takes us to Ghana for a month to see what we are made of and try our hand at teaching children in a refugee camp there.

Where do you see yourself five years from now and, in what line of activity?

In five years time I should have finished writing my book about statelessness (fascinating subject, do buy a copy in 2008!) and have found another job. I would like to work for an international organization – either governmental, like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or non-governmental like Amnesty International. I would like to be involved in research and policy-making in the human rights field, from within an organization that tackles issues directly, rather than continued work in the academic world. Whether this is feasible: only time will tell.

What advice, if any, do you have for the current students at the ISSE?

If you are not in a rush (which you shouldn’t be, you are young!), take a year out when you finish IB and try something else for a year. Work, travel, do volunteer work, learn to drive, whatever…. It can really help you make choices about what/if you want to study and where. You will probably also be more motivated at the end of the year to put energy into whatever course you decide to follow. And believe me, there are loads of people who delay a gap-year to after they finish their university degree, and then other things take over and they never get round to it. So after finishing IB2 is the perfect time. And if you are worried about getting onto a particular course, you can always apply already and ask them to hold your place for the year. I had a place reserved to study in London to become a gym teacher and, although I never took it up as I ended up choosing to study international law in Tilburg, it was reassuring to know that something was waiting for me.

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Edward Chanter | ISSE Years, 1986 -1993

In the past and more recently

What are your recollections of life before coming to the ISSE? Was Holland you first overseas experience?

Define "overseas" to someone that is always "overseas" then maybe you'll answer this question, recollections of life were so different from anything I expereinced at the ISSE that they don't really bear mentioning! Let's put it this way, the ISSE was better that the Van de Putt Lyceum!

What fond memories do you have of your ISSE days

- Moving to the ISSE from Mordor (Van de Putt)
- Getting into IB
- Finally getting Mrs. Fell to approve my IB1 geography project
- Giving my IB valedictory speech

Did your IB education and the ISSE environment provide you with a good start with the rest of your life?

Yes! For all sorts of reasons, mainly the interaction with so many different
types of people from so many different places. IB, definitely! ISSE....
Well, yes I think that had something to do with it too! Particularly a
certain careers counsellor, who shall remain nameless! :-)

Tell us a few words about the high points of your life since you left the ISSE.

University
Moving to Brighton
The friendships I've made
The lovers I've had
Finding an alomost perfect job
Buying my flat

Where do you see yourself five years from now and, in what line of activity?

Hopefully right here doing exactly what I'm doing right now.... The only thing I would add would be a wife and kids ;-)

What advice, if any, do you have for the current students at the ISSE?

Follow your heart, even if you don't know what you want to do and the very
question terrifies you, follow your heart and never look back.

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Kirstie Clark (nee Burrows), van der Putt/ ISSE years, 1984-1991

Q.1 Recollections of life pre ISSE.

My brother and I moved to Taiwan with our parents (more Philips kids!) in 1977 when I was 5 and he was 2. In 1984 we moved to NL, and I started in ES1A at the van der Putt, and Stuart entered the RIS. I was a litte overwhelmed: I moved from a 2 room school of 16 kids aged 5-12, to a school of 1500, including the 'Dutchies'. But some lovely teachers helped with the settling in: I remember Mr Zey, Ms Matoren, Mr Baxter and Mrs Bailey very fondly.

Q2. Fond memories of ISSE days.

Well, van der Putt became ISSE as I started my 4th year. It was on Jerusalemlaan in Woensel then (where is it now?), and the building was good - very welcoming. Otherwise, it was a case of same old, same old - same class, teachers etc and I took the transition for granted! I look back now and realise what a lot of work it must have been for teachers and staff.

Fond memories: Art O-level classes catching up on gossip with Asli, Michelle and Heidi; History classes with Pieter Schram; PE classes with Mr Neutkens; English and drama with Mr Short - and mainly of course, the school trips to Berlin, Prague and sailing camp. Most of all, lovely classmates. I am in touch with some - anyone know how Liesbet, Danny, John Bijl, Pieter Jan, Michelle Crosby are doing?

Q3. I think the IB education was great, and am a big fan of the breadth of curriculum, and the sheer hard work required in those 2 years (in retrospect!). The teachers were very committed, and it was a very friendly environment. However, I think ISSE was too small and cosy as a good preparation for me for going to University in UK, and it was a big learning curve. I think it was great to O'level/ GCSE, and then perhaps a 6th form college would have done more for me as a person - academically it was fine. I think there could have been more extra curricular activities and school trips, in retrospect. But this all sounds a bit negative! I don't think back to school very often now, to be honest - it was 14 years ago.

Q4 High points since left

Went to St Andrews in Scotland for 4 years and loved it. Then spent 2 years in Japan with the JET Programme and found myself teaching English at Junior High School in a small mountain town of 5000 people. Had a fun year in Edinburgh doing a PGCE Secondary History, then had 6 years not in teaching in London, got married in 2001 to wonderful man from Uni days, had little boy in January 2004 (Isaac). Have had a career break as full time mum, and now on a returning to teach course - primary school children this time.

Q5 Five years from now?

Who knows!

Q6 Advice to today's IB students.

None, just a tip -enjoy it, take advantage of everything going, everything on offer.

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Lesley White, date of graduation, 1992

At my high school, the ISSE, geography was my favourite subject. Always had been. It is probably due to Ms Fell (my geography teacher) that I am where I am now. After graduating in 1992, going back to Scotland was not an option. I was not going to give up so easily on that Dutch language. After hearing Ms. Fell's stories about Vietnam , my higher education had to be linked to development work. Wageningen University attracted me for its size, its 'internationalism'. Its Sociology of Rural Development degree appealed to me. ad. My way of working for a fairer world was to be physically working out there.

My research took me to a small village in the foothills of the Andes in Bolivia, where I worked with a beekeeping co-operative. This is when Bolivia came on the scene (and my Dutch partner, Arjan!).

In 1999, I became assistant coordinator of a Belgian NGO (Non governmental organisation) called FOS (Fonds voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking - Socialistische Solidariteit) , in La Paz , Bolivia . We supported farmer co-operatives and gave advice on economic development and empowerment. La Paz is a magical city at 3600 metres altitude, in the middle of the breathtaking Andes .

Andean scenery Lesley and her partner Arjan

In development work, the contracts are usually for shorter periods so after three years my contract with FOS finished. I then rolled into various consultancies in the same city. One of them was giving support to a large artisan co-operative in their handicraft export to North America and Europe .

We moved to the city of Sucre as Arjan got a job with the Dutch cooperation. It is not often that you have the chance to live in a city, which resembles an outdoor museum, rich in cultural heritage, with a pleasant climate all the year round.

I felt that I needed field work experience before I moved on in NGO management. That is why I took the job offer of coordinator with the national artisan network in Bolivia , my position being financed through another Belgian NGO, Volens. It was a great experience working with entrepreneurial artisans in market and funding opportunities, product innovation, capacity building, organising trade shows etc. I saw many artisans improve their lives and that of their families through producing amazing works of art.

However, the job was not really my cup of tea. I have a high dose of patience but not that high! Therefore, I decided to give up my job last month. I am now finishing an Open Universiteit course (I highly recommend it!).

Arjan's contract finishes in February and we have decided that we will be leaving Bolivia behind (and working in poorer countries? Plans do change!).

Maybe I will continue to be involved with companies which (help) sell handicrafts or fashion products from fair sources in poorer countries to the European market. Or maybe I will try out something completely different. Stay flexible; that is the idea!

Lesley White, Sucre, Bolivia, November 2005.

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Natalie Champness

ISSE year 1988 - 1995

I have many fond memories of my ISSE days which mostly revolve around my friends and the great experiences we shared. Certain memories that come to mind are the school trip to Prague which was a real eye opener for both students and teachers alike! I also remember some teachers fondly such as Ms. Forrest, Mr. Hearn and Zey of course! Going out or should I say living in Stratumseind and generally getting up to no good much to everyone's despair!

I believe that the ISSE and IB made us more internationally aware of other cultures and well rounded. I found that many people at my university were not very open minded and had less real 'life' experience which I think I got in great supply at the ISSE. It helped me adapt to a new life in the UK and for that I am grateful. I realise now that an international school education is priceless.

High points during the ISSE years? That is a tough one to answer using concrete examples. One would be moving to London and living here for the past 11 years, meeting and marrying my husband, waking up one morning and realising that you can actually do almost anything if you put your mind to it and travelling.

Five years from now? I will be in a job I actually enjoy, living by the sea, have a couple of kids, writing a book and planning what to do for the next 5 years. If anything I will be healthier and wealthier.

My advice to present day ISSE students: pay some attention to what is being said, chose your subjects carefully, keep an open mind and if you can get involved with extra curricular activities. If you lose your way talk to Zey!

I hope that the students of today are enjoying the ISSE and will look back on their experience with fondness.

Esther van de Riet Marc Scholey | Victor Busser | Yfke van Bergen | Jennifer Davies | Emma Everid | James Granger | Jakob Dahlrot | Steve Weatherell | Ben Castle | Lorraine Parker | Laura Hayward | Edward Chanter | Kirstie Burrows Lesley White Natalie Champness Hugh Mitchell

Hugh Mitchell , teacher - Years at the ISSE, 1986 to 2005

What were the circumstances that brought you to the ISSE?
Well, in those days it was the van der Puttlyceum. I saw an advert for a vacancy. They were looking for somebody to set up an English-as-a-Second Language programme. I had taken a course in that subject and had some secondary-level teaching experience, so I applied for it. Leo Stijns interviewed me in London and I was offered the job. I wanted to work somewhere in Europe (after years in the oil-rich countries) but I had no particular preference for the Netherlands. Eindhoven was just a place I had passed close to on the motorway. I ended up staying nineteen years, so it must have suited me.

To what extent have you realized your aims and goals and what further plans and ambitions do you have?
I didn’t really have any aims, beyond supporting my own children as they were growing up and teaching subjects that I enjoyed. I found the environment at the ISSE stimulating – the kids were so cosmopolitan and (mostly) determined to succeed. The colleagues were friendly and helpful and we had a great community spirit, particularly in the early days. Apart from ESL I also taught English and TOK, and I found that to be a great mixture. I like exploring ideas and I tried to keep my lessons light-hearted. People learn better when they’re having fun. When the job of IB Diploma coordinator fell vacant, I put in for it and was accepted. I enjoyed working with the students and helping them through the course and I must say that they did pretty well. I have to say that the endless management meetings I had to attend were not my cup of tea, however, and, at the end of two years, I left for Istanbul. I had always told myself that I would go somewhere interesting for my last few years of teaching and, with my son Andy graduating from the ISSE, it seemed like a good time to go.

Any extra-curricular and hobby interests that you wish to share?
A lot of the stuff I did in Eindhoven isn’t possible any more, because my working environment is different. I miss the Monday night bandy and badminton; and the creative writers who produced an amazing amount of high quality work. I’ve put on a bit of weight since I got to Istanbul - down to the great food and lack of exercise. We go up to the Black Sea coast quite often, when the weather’s nice, for swimming and walking along the beach. When we’re in the Czech Republic (my partner’s country) we walk, swim, fish, cycle and canoe. The staff gave me a super digital camera when I left the ISSE and I’m still finding out about the amazing things it can do. Then there’s sight-seeing. Istanbul has lots to see and we have the advantage of being able to visit museums in the winter, when they’re not so crowded. In October we went down to the Aegean coast and saw lots of classical sites, such as Ephesus, Miletus and Didyma. Swimming in the hot spring above Pamukkale was also fun. There are ancient fallen columns in the water.

What particular ISSE memories do you wish to share with the readers?
Those fabulous alumni reunions where ex-students from years ago would turn up out-of-the-blue. Parties, discos, trips to Paris or Prague. MUN conferences in windswept den Haag or sunny Oldenburg. End-of-term celebrations, tearful farewells. Peeling labels off fruit in the staffroom and sticking them on teachers’ backs before they went to class (yes, it was me!). .....Oh yes, I believe there was some teaching in there somewhere.

What advice would you give to the current ISSE students?
Well, the first thing is: never order spareribs on a first date – keep that side of your eating habits for a later occasion. And always remember: “Just because you have athlete’s foot, it doesn’t mean that you’re an athlete.” I trust that these precepts will ensure that the young of the ISSE get off to a good start in life.

Would you recommend Turkey as a place to live?
Istanbul is a hugely interesting city, but it’s way over on the western fringe. The rest of the country is very different. There is a vast gap between the living standards of the rich and the poor. It seems to me to be a place where massive opposing forces are (at the moment) in balance. Considering the traffic, the postal service and the plumbing, I’d probably have to say that it’s better as a holiday destination than as a place to live.

Anything to add?
It was great to be a part of the growth and development of so many worthwhile people. I tried never to put people down, partly because I was frequently put down during my own schooldays and I still remember how it feels. I missed the 2005 reunion because I was in Turkey, but I hope to be at the next one. Cheers!

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Esther van de Riet Marc Scholey | Victor Busser | Yfke van Bergen | Jennifer Davies | Emma Everid | James Granger | Jakob Dahlrot | Steve Weatherell | Ben Castle | Lorraine Parker | Laura Hayward | Edward Chanter | Kirstie Burrows Lesley White Natalie Champness Hugh Mitchell