Our Team
Meet Our Professionals!
Jenny
Manager
Originally from England, I first moved to the Netherlands for an Erasmus Study Abroad Year in Utrecht. I enjoyed living in the Netherlands so much that I decided to come back to study my Masters in Amsterdam. During Covid I made the move to Leiden. I love living here because of the city's cosy size, historic centre and great location near the beach, lakes, and other major cities.
I have worked at Leiden International Centre since November 2021 and have been manager since 2023. My favourite part of my job is helping to make Leiden a better place for internationals by supporting them and their employers with information and guidance.
Get in touch with Jenny
Sibilla
Communication and Events Officer
I moved from Italy to the Netherlands two years ago to study the Middle East, and immediately found my home. I soon decided to settle here, and Leiden International Centre gave me this opportunity first working as an intern and now overseeing the centre communication and event planning. Helping other expats finding their new home in Leiden is not only a way to give back, but also an opportunity to learn more about the city and my future life as an international in the Leiden region.
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Ruth
Helpdesk Professional
I discovered my love for the Netherlands more than 25 years ago while volunteering in Amsterdam. In 2007, my family and I made the life-changing decision to relocate from the UK to the Netherlands. I remembered how it felt to arrive into a new culture and country that was not my own. In my role as a helpdesk employee, I draw upon my own experiences to connect with and assist the people I encounter. I find it important that there is a dedicated space where internationals can readily access support and resources whenever needed.
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Kristian
Intern
As a Dutch national, Leiden has always interested me. Its pleasant size, rich history and optimal location makes it the perfect city to live and work in. While studying European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, I also did a semester abroad in Liverpool. That’s when I found out that it can be pretty isolating to live in another country. Luckily I made lots of friends in my university and accommodation, however I can imagine this being difficult if there’s no school or parties involved. I find it important that every international has a place to ask questions and get support, as being on your own in a foreign country can be quite intimidating. This is what drew me to Leiden International Centre. Allow me to get you familiarised and show you what Leiden has to offer.
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Eva
Intern
Growing up between Milan and Barcelona, I developed a deep desire in understanding how people with different cultural backgrounds relate to each other. During the Erasmus exchange in Groningen, I fell in love with the Netherlands and its international environment rich in nuances. All of this led me, two years later, to come to Leiden and discover a city that is profoundly vibrant. However, moving to a new place also involves bureaucratic and logistical procedures, as well as a luggage filled with emotions and uncertainties. For me, pursuing a professional experience at the Leiden International Centre represents an opportunity to contribute, with my small grain of sand, to the nurturing of a lively and respectful multicultural space, hoping that newcomers can define Leiden as home.
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Anna
Intern
I moved to Leiden in 2020 to study Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, and I lived there throughout my degree before moving to The Hague this year. I’m originally from northern Germany, but when I was 16, I had the opportunity to live in the U.S. as an exchange student, which had a significant impact on my perspective and fueled my interest in studying abroad. I found my anthropology studies incredibly rewarding, as they helped me understand different lived experiences and the factors that shape them. I also spent an extended period in Tanzania for a joint research project during my minor, so I'm lucky to have been able to not only theoretically study different realities, but to exprience them as well. I believe that to create positive change, it’s important to start where you are. The International Center really is a great place to begin that journey, and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience as an international to help those who are just starting out here.
Get in touch with Anna