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Student life

2018 will be my year because… I will start a B&B

The time around the new year is a moment in which many look to the future. Resource asked several students and staff members why 2018 is going to be their year. Blair van Pelt tells about her plans to open a Bed & Bicycle.
Liza van Kapel

Blair van Pelt, lecturer farming systems ecology and soil quality, from the United States

When my husband and I bought this house, we had this outdoor space we knew we would not use. We decided to start the B&B (Bed and Bicycle), so it would decrease or living costs, and also contribute to the community. We like to meet new people. We are aiming at visitors from the university or companies at campus, because there is not enough accommodation for them at the moment. We made it to be multifunctional: so we can also rent it out for events or use it ourselves.

My personal goal for 2018 is to learn how to thrive instead of survive. I consider myself an excellent survivor: I’ve lived in many different circumstances and always made everything work. The result is however that I often do way too many things, undermining myself in the end. That is why I want to thrive: take care of myself, so I have more energy to do the things I love. To be able to do that I should be a bit more selfish from time to time. I know it will be extremely hard, but I’ll try to only do the things that give me energy, and say no more often.

I love the atmosphere in Wageningen. I always wanted to come to the Netherlands, ever since I was 10, even though I cannot really explain why. When I came to Wageningen I felt at home instantly, for the first time in my life. There is a great community feeling, and the students are amazing. I am unbelievably privileged with how motivated they are: that drives me to keep improving the curriculum. I love to teach full time and try to keep up with the changing science in the field, which is almost impossible but a great challenge.

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