Hello everyone!
My name is Afreen, and I’m looking forward to being part of the new Maizena board!
As a third culture kid who has lived and grown up in places different from my home country, I don’t consider nationality to be a defining part of my identity and a simple question like “Where are you from?” often turns into a political discussion.
But to keep it short: My parents are from a historical city in India called Lucknow, known for it’s decadent food and rich poetry. They immigrated to the Middle East before I was born, and that’s where I grew up and spent the first 18 years of my life. I then moved to Malaysia to do a bachelor’s in psychology. After all this, I knew it was time to make my first foray into Europe and that’s when I decided to study in the Netherlands.
I’m interested in psychological research on societally relevant questions like poverty, global income inequality and ethical decision-making. When I’m not reading scientific papers for university, I spend a lot of my time reading fiction. I like reading a wide variety of things like philosophy, poetry and LOTS OF fantasy and science fiction novels. I founded a new English book club with a few of my friends in Nijmegen to encourage me to keep reading despite my busy schedule (you’re always welcome to join us!). Sometimes, I also write bad poems.
Besides that, I enjoy going to the cinema, listening to music and attending concerts by my favourite bands. I appreciate a wide variety of music like classic rock, folk, indie, jazz, and blues. I’m always open to discovering new genres so feel free to offer suggestions. I also enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, cycling, and scuba diving. I’ve had some of my best (and almost spiritual) experiences scuba diving in the tropical islands of South-East Asia.
Some dislikes: Long monologues about myself, olives and pineapples on pizza, smugness in people, and ketchup.
I look forward to meeting you all at the GMM and the traditional Maizena bowling night on the 17th (don’t forget to sign up! It will be fun, I promise)