Annelies Verkerk

Far away from me

 “I started working as Coordinator Internationalisation at Erasmus School of Law in February 2020. Six weeks in, everyone had to switch to working from home, which made my start difficult. Since then, I have made good progress, and I aim to be the bridge-builder for internationalisation within Erasmus School of Law. For some, internationalisation is obvious. However, I can imagine that internationalisation seems of no great concern to others, especially when your focus lies on Dutch Law or the Dutch job market. But internationalisation offers opportunities to everyone, that is something I would like to show to students and colleagues.

Internationalisation is quite diverse. It is not just about offering education in English or an international experience for students by setting up an exchange programme at a university abroad for a couple of months. It also is about cooperating with universities abroad in research and education, developing competencies, mobility of staff, promoting our faculty internationally, et cetera. In my opinion, it is not about internationalisation as such: it should always contribute to the quality of the core business of Erasmus School of Law. With the board, I am currently working on a strategy to embed internationalisation further into the policy and make better use of the opportunities for research and education, for example, in the context of the new EU-programmes, like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. An essential part of my job is raising my colleagues’ awareness about the possibilities and opportunities internationalisation can offer and supporting colleagues in developing their initiatives. I am also in close contact with the central services of EUR dealing with internationalisation matters, including as a representative of the faculty in a couple of EUR-wide meetings. A more practical side of my job is preparing cooperation and exchange agreements with universities abroad. That brings along interesting (online) meetings. Being in contact with people from other ‘cultures’ is the icing on the cake in this role. But do not get me wrong, I also enjoy working with my Dutch colleagues!

Meeting in Sanders Building

 “Sometimes I get the feeling that I am desperately behind in getting to know my new colleagues and the organisation of Erasmus School of Law. Dealing with the Corona measures also creates quite a challenge for me. In the six weeks I was able to work in the Sanders Building, I only met a limited number of colleagues in person. Meeting people online feels quite formal and limited to me. I look forward to being at the campus in person and meeting the other colleagues live – which are still quite a lot of people. However, working from home did give me plenty of opportunity to immerse myself in matters. As a result, I feel like I know better what I am talking about right now. Also, working remotely, I can better focus without being interrupted.”

Discovering my international side

 “Internationalisation intrigued me from a young age. After completing my first year of Law in Utrecht, I decided to specialise in European and International Law. This means I did not study Dutch Law; instead, I opted for a field that interested me most. I spent my study years well: I did an internship at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Environment Programme in Paris. I did several student-assistantships, and I was a board member of a study association for International and European Law students. We organised study trips to EU Institutions and other international organisations. I also partied a lot. Long story short: I had an excellent time in Utrecht.

In that period, I learned about the importance of internationalisation, luckily that has never faded. It made me realise that the world is bigger than your own world. The idealist in me hopes to be able to contribute to a mutual understanding, tolerance and cooperation through internationalisation.”

Going beyond your bounds

 “Open-minded people who are prepared to look beyond their borders, literally but also figuratively, inspire me. People like Ruben Terlou and Thomas Erdbrink appeal to me. In their documentaries about China and Iran, they mingle with local people. They show a different side of these cultures, contrasting with what is usually provided about these cultures and regimes.”

International aspect as a common thread

 “Ever since I started working, all my jobs have had an international element. My first job was at the Utrecht University as a lecturer in European Community Law, also to Erasmus+ students. After a year, I made a move to a lobby organisation focused on Europe. I worked two days in Brussels and three days in The Hague. After that, I ended up at the international department of the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment. As a policy officer of European and International Affairs, I took part in meetings of the Council of Europe and the EU. After becoming a mother of two children, I took a break from working, but sitting at home was not really my thing. My first job interview was an instant hit, so I started at the British Embassy in The Hague, where I worked as a Political Military Advisor Benelux for seven years. Within the embassy, the work ethic is a lot more formal than within Dutch ministries. The job really opened my eyes even further. I had to go to Brussels and London frequently. The international environment, the pace and the level of work were very stimulating. Despite the formal atmosphere, I always had a wonderful time.”

Cooking Studio Verkerk

 “After leaving the British Embassy, I considered opening my own cooking studio. That was one of the items on my bucket list. Cooking is my great passion, and it seemed like a nice challenge. I already had started writing a business plan, and I had already given a couple of workshops, but at the last moment, I decided to not go ahead with it. Though it was a wonderful project, the work would be very intense, also at weekends and nights. After that, I started at Erasmus School of Law after working at the Asser Institute. My current position is also quite intense, but in a different – and, to me, a more pleasant – way.”

Internationalisation without saying

 “I tried to raise my kids with an international perspective. As a result, the oldest finished a two-year master in Norway and the youngest works for a game developer in England. I am tremendously proud of them. Since my kids are on their own two feet, I have plenty of time and energy for a new challenge, so I am happy that this job, with an international touch, crossed my path.

I hope to have experienced tremendous development within my job at Erasmus School of Law in ten years’ time. I hope we will no longer talk about internationalisation as something yet to develop, but as something obvious and embedded in policy and organisation.”