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Meet our buddies
Wouter van den Berg
General Manager at Yparex
Wouter, A Dutch national, residing in Sittard and employed at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, has been living in the area for a remarkable 25 years and still finds it captivating.
Wouter, A Dutch national, residing in Sittard and employed at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, has been living in the area for a remarkable 25 years and still finds it captivating.
Noah Vladimir Hirsch Trembovolsky
Entrepreneur, expat & father
Noah, a father, entrepreneur, and expat. Born in Belarus, he spent half of his life in Russia before relocating to Sittard.
Noah, a father, entrepreneur, and expat. Born in Belarus, he spent half of his life in Russia before relocating to Sittard.
Debbie van Cleef
Virtual Professional and Business Owner VA for Adventure
Debbie has been living in Limburg since birth and Sittard has been her home from 2003 until 2024 and she now lives in Voerendaal. She left Limburg for six months to do a work placement in London, UK.
Debbie has been living in Limburg since birth and Sittard has been her home from 2003 until 2024 and she now lives in Voerendaal. She left Limburg for six months to do a work placement in London, UK.
Ian Grace
Technical Sales Manager
Ian moved to The Netherlands from Chester (UK) in 1993. He now has the Dutch nationality because of Brexit, but considers himself a true European.
Ian moved to The Netherlands from Chester (UK) in 1993. He now has the Dutch nationality because of Brexit, but considers himself a true European.
Sjuul Derkx
Researcher
Sjuul is an interdisciplinary PhD researcher with a background in finance, economics and psychology. In his spare time he likes to catch up with friends and family.
Sjuul is an interdisciplinary PhD researcher with a background in finance, economics and psychology. In his spare time he likes to catch up with friends and family.
Marliene Bos
Office manager in higher education
Marliene has been living in Susteren since 1996, and she supports international students through Zuyd Hogeschool and the Buddy System. With a passion for travel, sports, culture, and music, she connects people and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Marliene has been living in Susteren since 1996, and she supports international students through Zuyd Hogeschool and the Buddy System. With a passion for travel, sports, culture, and music, she connects people and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Björn van Sloun
Coördinator supply chain raw materials & purchase requisition
Björn, a true local living in Sittard now for 10 years. In his spare time he loves sports, socializing, music, cooking and reading.
Björn, a true local living in Sittard now for 10 years. In his spare time he loves sports, socializing, music, cooking and reading.
Kimberley van der Heijden
Expert in Consumer Psychology
Kimberley likes travelling and exploring new cultures. She was born and raised in Sittard-Geleen and is looking forward to meeting you.
Kimberley likes travelling and exploring new cultures. She was born and raised in Sittard-Geleen and is looking forward to meeting you.
Nikolai Bredelev
Entrepreneur
Nikolai has been doing business in The Netherlands for more than 15 years. He moved to Limburg in 2023 and is eager to share his experience with newcomers.
Nikolai has been doing business in The Netherlands for more than 15 years. He moved to Limburg in 2023 and is eager to share his experience with newcomers.
Bert Kamphuis
Former policy advisor and alderman
Bert is based in Sittard, has an extensive experience in international education and local politics. Since his early retirement in January 2025, he has been involved in the Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, eager to share his expertise in international cooperation and integration with expats in the region.
Bert is based in Sittard, has an extensive experience in international education and local politics. Since his early retirement in January 2025, he has been involved in the Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, eager to share his expertise in international cooperation and integration with expats in the region.
Joop Petit
Social entrepreneur and sustainable architect
Joop is passionate about innovative solutions that connect people and their environment. Founder and owner of Phidias since 2012.
Joop is passionate about innovative solutions that connect people and their environment. Founder and owner of Phidias since 2012.
Ellen van Brandenburg
Manager and mother
Ellen is originally from Gelderland, and she studied in Eindhoven. Her professional career led her to Limburg, and she has been residing in Geleen for quite some years now.
Ellen is originally from Gelderland, and she studied in Eindhoven. Her professional career led her to Limburg, and she has been residing in Geleen for quite some years now.
Emma Wijnen
Lecturer in higher education
Emma works at Fontys International Business School in Venlo where she teaches Marketing and Psychology and coordinates Erasmus+ projects for international students.
Emma works at Fontys International Business School in Venlo where she teaches Marketing and Psychology and coordinates Erasmus+ projects for international students.