PRAESIDIUM 2023-2024

Vice-Praeses – Nathan Godecharle

Hello, I’m Nathan I’ll be this year’s vice-praeses moving on form my role as party-praeses.

I’m a very sociable person so don’t be afraid to talk to me I won’t bite. I have a lot of interests like music and stuff. If you want something good to listen to here are a few of my recommendations: Masayoshi Takanaka is by far my favorite music artist, I also really like to listen to old school rap so for that I would recommend songs like B.O.B. and southernplayalisticadillacmusik. I also really enjoy decorating stuff, I love to cook and I actually work in a kitchen as my student job, my favorite dish to make is probably Beijing Beef.

I joined this praesidium because of the fun people it has and the amazing events like karaoke etc. welp anyways that’s my introduction if you wanna get to know me better talk to me lol.

Webmaster – Ekaterina Buggenhout (Katja)

Hi there! I’m Katja (カチャ) this years Webmaster. I may come off as not so inviting, probably because of my demeanor and my serious expression about 99% of the day. And I’m quite blunt and dry, so that may be something you’ll have to get used to. But, I promise you I’m not that scary to approach or talk to, I’m kinder than most people assume. Besides, I’m happy to answer your questions and help where I can, so feel free to approach me whenever you see me around campus!

While you’re at it, I’d love to hear a good book recommendation. I’m trying to read a more and am quite picky so I’m looking for books that I’d like. Same thing to music.

That aside, I have a few hobbies, most I don’t really practice much anymore. Playing the piano, painting, writing, reading (like not often at all), watching movies, photography and so on. I know very plain. But, I’m always looking for people who enjoy similar hobbies, maybe we have an ice breaking to start a conversation then.

Although, I doubt you’ll see me this year as often as last year due to my schedule being a little weird. You’ll still be able to catch me at Blandijn usually around the cafeteria as it is the place I always spend time at between classes. And if you do, feel free to start a conversation and get to know me better. Or if I see someone from our members around I’ll also give you a wave, say hi, maybe strike a conversation and then go on about my day. All the rest about me is something you’ll find out by getting to know me ;).

Instagram: katjabuggenhout

PS: I’ve been to Japan in April-September 2023 and you’ll find pictures and videos of that on katja_tokyushu on Instagram.

See you around!

And remember. Do your best, but maybe not…sometimes. Keep up with courses but don’t forget to have some fun too. It’s all about balance.

PR-Intern – Asma Tal

Heya! I’m back for another year as the PR-intern. Those who know me probably don’t need me to introduce myself, but since there will be lots of new faces soon in Japanology and Tomo no Kai, I’ll introduce myself. My name is Asma, I’ll be in charge of the weekly announcements on Mondays and if you contact us on our social media, you’ll most likely receive an answer from me. If you want to stalk me on social media that isn’t linked to Tomo no Kai, my username is practically always @notreallyasma.

If you hear me speak in Dutch most people will realize I wasn’t born in Belgium, rather I was born in a far away, exotic country: The Netherlands. Please excuse my “andere tongval” and pretend you didn’t hear me refer to a glass of orange juice as “jus d’orange’ instead of “appelsienensap”.

In my free time I prefer to do a variety of things. Play Valorant with some online friends (I’m a Brimstone-main), watch some tv-show, from anime to something like GOT, reach my daily 15K steps or just visit my local Basic-Fit. I have a very unhealthy obsession with seals and have a special ability where if someone shows me a seal video I can tell: which species it is, where it was filmed (it’s usually Tokkari-centre in Hokkaido or Pieterburen in The Netherlands but there are some other seal rehabilitation centers I know by heart) and I might be even able to tell the seals name. Just like how mothers shouldn’t have favorites among their children, I personally think it’s not right to have a favorite seal. Although, let’s be honest, many mothers do have favorite children, and my favorite seal happens to be Ponsuke from the Tokkari Centre (RIP 🦭 🕊️).

To end this introduction with one of my iconic quotes: “Als ik wil dansen, wil ik dansen.”

Design – Hannelore Buggenhout

I’m this year’s Design, Hannelore. Perhaps cliché for a designer, but I took on this function because I really enjoy art. Whether it be looking at other people’s work or painting it myself, I can spend hours on art. I find it fascinating how it can turn both the ugly and the beautiful in this world into something mesmerising, something you just want to keep looking at.

Other than painting, I have also been doing dance for almost as long as I can remember. This is another great way of expression, and I burn calories while doing it. The perfect win-win situation, I’d say.

To be quite honest, I’m having trouble writing this introduction. I must not be a very interesting person. However, I have two cats that are very cute. That is everything you need to know about me, really. The rest is of lesser importance.

Party 1 – Kayla Stevens

Hey Hey, my name is Kayla Stevens. I am happy to say that together with our lovely Ana we will be your Party praeseses of this academic school year. This will be my third year at uni, yeah I’ve already done 3 courses but did not finish them lol. Japanology is the one that has stolen my heart though!

When I am not on campus I am probably at my dorm painting, watching anime, listening to music, gaming or cooking. These are all things I love to do when I don’t have to be in class or wanna de-stress. In the weekends I go home to see my family, to work in a restaurant in my village and to tutor high school students. When I’m feeling down you can always give me a caramal frappucino from Starbucks to cheer me up! (some anime merchandise will do as well)

Something I can tell all of you is that you don’t have to be afraid to speak up and ask for help. The students are all very welcoming as are the teachers, they don’t bite 🙂

Hope to see every one of you at one of our events, またね!!

Cultuur – Axl Vanobbergen

Hello everyone, my name is Axl Vanobbergen and I am the Culture praeses of this year. I like playing video games in my spare time and i play volleyball as a hobby.

I may come over as a bit awkward but don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any questions about courses and stuff like that. Even if it’s just because you’re lost on campus, I’m pretty sure everyone has been in that same situation. And if I can’t help you I’ll try to redirect you to someone who can. Other fun facts about me are that i played the guitar for a while, but now i’m not very good at it anymore. And I also like to draw sometimes when I’m in the mood.

Study – Katrien Vlaeminck

Hi! My name is Katrien, I’m 24 years old and this year I will once again be the study praeses. I am a third year student but I have studied Chinese before starting with Japanese.

I really like going on hikes, cooking, writing, reading, listening to music, play video games, and rewatch my favorite movies and TV shows. I recently discovered my love for records and I have started buying a few vinyls of my current favorite bands, like Sleep Token and Ghost. My favorite book is and will always be ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R. Tolkien. So if you are a fellow Tolkien enthusiast and/or vinyl lover, you can always talk to me about it! You can always find me the proximity of cats, at my dorm, at the vinyl section at Fnac or at the Efteling.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche