Growing up between Germany and the Philippines, as well as the stereotypical high school exchange year in the USA, I am now happily at home here in Maastricht. Currently, I am enrolled in my final year of European Law with a minor in Sustainability and wish to pursue a career in ocean governance. After two years of organising UNSA’s EuroMUN conference, I joined the Maastricht Diplomat as a writer and member of the audiovisual team (follow us on Spotify). As this year’s head editor, I look forward to finding and showcasing my writers’ voices just like I was guided last year.

I’m an aspiring filmmaker. I studied cinema in my bachelor and currently studying an MA in contemporary literature and arts.
I am interested in the intersection between art, culture, and politics and how human behavior is informed within this framework.
As I am committed to social justice, I joined the MD as a podcast member two years ago, to bring to the fore social topics that, I personally, think are important to speak up about. This year I will be the co-head of Audiovisual media in the MD; both an exciting
and terrifying experience that I look forward to!

Hey there! I’m Lee-Ann, a second-year Global Studies student from Luxembourg. If you stroll around Maastricht, you will most often find me in a café or the park, immersed in a book while enjoying a nice cup of tea. Besides my love for literature, I hold particular interests in history, politics and environmental issues — topics which also often feature in my journalistic pieces. After being involved in my student paper in secondary school, I’ve joined the MD last year as a writer. Now I am looking forward to a great year as Co-Head and Head Editor!

I am 19 years old from the U.S. in my second year of Global Studies. I joined the Diplomat last year because I wanted to find a way to intersect my love of creative writing with my interest in politics, environmental science, and global affairs. In my free time, I love to read and write (no kidding), sing and play guitar, and take photographs. In Maastricht you can find me complaining about the weather, spending money on coffee, or at the kringloop.

I am interested in various topics, such as the climate, art, tech and science. I like to discover new art, nerd out about nature and take pictures of everything I see around me.
On holiday you can most often find me in the mountains, skiing down at breakneck speed or discovering a new city from within. While at home I like to watch films then scour the internet on where I’ve seen that actor before, who designed that costume or on what camera the specific shot was filmed on.

Sensibility flourishes through word and image. With this in mind, I became a writer of a journal that restlessly works to keep quality journalism as accessible and fresh as it should be. Now, as the co-head of foreign correspondence, we’ll work to broaden our journal’s coverage and expand our understanding of the world from rather decentralised perspectives.

As for me, I was raised between Argentina and Spain, and moved to The Netherlands two years ago. From time to time, I take pictures, write poetry and wake up before my alarm. Now, I (temporarily) find myself in South America excited to reflect through the MD all social, political and cultural developments I’m getting to experience!

I am Greta, 19 years old and in my first year of studying at FASoS. Though I’m coming from a background of creative writing, I am now looking forward to the chance to learn about journalism at the Diplomat. Other than writing, I am interested in arts (over the past months especially photography), going to the museum, playing piano and meet my friends for a coffee or a picknick in the park.

Hey everyone! I am Federica, an enthusiastic Italian student currently attending the second year of Global Studies in my beloved Maastricht. What sparks my interest are issues related to human rights and social justice. Namely, I am passionate about gender equality, a topic I look forward to tackling through my creative writing. Besides this, I am fond of photography and tragic-romance novels, I am a huge overthinker and I love keeping myself busy with thousands of tasks. Hence, you’ll most probably see me running around Maastricht with my headphones on playing music out loud, or enjoying my usual cup of coffee … my favourite boost of energy!

After quitting my super dull double degree in Paris last year the choice of studying in Maastricht was a no-brainer. And since I am interested in writing about geopolitical and societal issues joining UNSA’s editorial was, again, an evidence. As a current first year student, I am slowly adapting to Dutch cuisine and hoping that I am soon going to feel at home in Maastricht ‘village’. Apart from having the very French cultural habit to grumble as a conversation starter, I am always up for endless and engaging discussions (preferably in a bar and a beer in hand). I am looking forward to working in a team and informing as best as possible the readers of Maastricht Diplomat.

Hey everyone! I'm Marta, a 19 years old first-year European Studies student. Having grown up in Italy, I've also lived in South Africa and I am now loving the international and cozy atmosphere of Maastricht. My interests range from environmentalism to feminism and history and here in Maastricht you can either find me at the library or somewhere in nature. I love meeting people from different backgrounds and I've joined the editorial team as a way to experience a new writing style and delve into journalism. I am looking forward to connecting with new people and I am excited to join the team!

My name is Hadrian, and above anything else I'd consider myself a storyteller. The worlds I create have always been my favorite stories to tell, but growing up and living in different countries (mainly Italy and America) I've come to find stories outside of my own art, and I found the same passion in shedding light on the social, cultural and global issues we might not always be aware of. Although I'm studying European law, my main aspiration is to stay creative (whether that's through film or writing). Most importantly though, my favorite movie is Call Me By Your Name and I love indie music, oatmeal breakfasts and the rain.

Hi! My name is Lars, I am born in Maastricht and I recently finished my bachelor’s degree Forest and Nature Conservation at the University of Wageningen. As my background in writing has been mostly academic so far, I am looking forward to learn about journalistic writing at the Maastricht diplomat! In my free time, I love reading newspaper articles and topics that do not interest me are very difficult to find. I am especially passionate about nature and sustainability, something I really want to write about in future articles. Besides reading, I like travelling, spending time outdoors and hanging out with friends.

Born and raised in Northern Germany, near the Baltic Sea, I am like many other northern people: not talkative at first, but always there to listen and quickly warming up to you, if you are nice. You can also always win me over with tea, book talks and Franzbrötchen to speed up the process. Studying psychology here in Maastricht in my first year, I joined this editorial team to improve my writing skills and explore my interest in journalism, and, furthermore, combine this with other interests of mine. Those (be aware this is only a small list!) include art, history, literature and, of course, psychology - humans are pretty fascinating - if I may say so as a human myself…So yeah, you may look forward to my articles and be a witness to my journalistic progress!

Born and raised in the countryside of France, I moved in the Netherlands, my dad’s country to study European Studies. As I have always been into journalism, UNSA allows me to express my thoughts and my creativity. Now, I enjoy sharing my experiences about my Erasmus in Tallinn in Estonia through the Foreign Correspondance of the journal. Besides writing, I love travelling when my time and my budget allows it, solo or with friends or family, discovering the world is always on my to-do list. When I have to stay home, my pleasure lays in little things such as finding the real gem in a thrift store or planning my next trip.

I am a second year International Business student from Germany. Funny enough, I am interested in mostly everything besides economics. My passions range widely from painting, knitting, and cooking to sustainability and women’s rights. I joined the Maastricht Diplomat to improve her writing skills and explore new media of self-expression. In my free time, you can find me scrolling through Pinterest to find inspiration for an upcoming art piece whilst the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack is blasting in the background (from the 2005 movie version of course).

Growing up around the world as a military kid, I can't pinpoint one chosen interest of mine. I am currently pursuing an MA in International Relations at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Maastricht University to satisfy my love for transatlantic politics and foreign affairs. On other notes, I love gaming, everything art, pop culture, paleontology and love contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts whenever I can either through my social media or personal volunteering in my grandparents farm whenever I go back to Turkey.

I am Chloé, a 17 year-old French girl, also a first year student in economics and new to Maastricht. I find peace while watching sunsets, thrifting and going on walks with some music on (recommendations are always welcomed :)). I enjoy talking about astrology (im a scorpio sun btw), literature, fashion and psychology. I also love listening from people’s background and childhood. I am always taking pictures, my favorites are those of people i care about. I want to travel as much as i can, especially in Alaska. I am obsessed with diet coke and the Daft Punk song "Giorgio by Moroder".

After leaving my home country of Taiwan at the age of 16, I spent many years traveling before
matriculating at Maastricht University as a mature student on the Arts and Culture program, of which I have just started my second year. I have visited over 60 countries in 5 continents. I have been chased by an orangutang, pounced on by a hyena, stalked by a stingray, I have trod on a crocodile, herded
goats, spooked a bear and been slapped by a colobus monkey (okay, one of these is not true...). Dr Johnson wrote that all judgements are comparative. Seeing different places and learning history has
given me a frame of reference against which I can make judgements about the subjects of my writings, judgements not made in comparison to an imagined ideal or future utopia, but rather to what is and has been extant.

Hey there, I’m Leen and I love expressing my ideas and emotions through words and other media. This may be through film, drawing and music, yet writing will be always be my favorite. Growing up and possessing roots in the Middle East and Germany is quite a contrast. However, this has fueled my interest in understanding the clash of different cultures and its origins. I consider myself the prime example that studying economics doesn’t eliminate the potential for creative expression, which is why I’m so excited about joining the Maastricht Diplomat. Other than writing, I love playing the piano, skipping the smalltalk, english lit, baking cakes, running, snow and hiking the mountains. In Maastricht you‘ll find me at the Dominican book store strolling through the aisles (usually 6pm), so come and say hi :)

My name is Chiara, I am 20 years old and come from Düsseldorf, Germany. I am in my first Bachelor's year of European Studies and just moved to Maastricht a few weeks ago. I love how international it is here as I am obsessed with learning new languages, travelling and getting to know people from all over the globe. Here in Maastricht you mainly find me in a bookstore, a nice café or somewhere in the nature. I joined the Maastricht Diplomat to get new journalistic challenges and am really looking forward to support the audiovisual team.

Hi I'm Dorian and this is my first year here in Maastricht. I like to cook and to do sports-although I should that more often. I tried finding a gym for the last three years but no luck. I almost always open for a beer, my smalltalk is mediocre at best and I'm mentally somewhere between a sunny beach and economic topics. I joined the UNSA Journal Committee because I lke meeting new people who different perspectives, spread awareness about certain topics and have a good time with interesting people.

Hey everyone! I’m Esther, a third-year European law student! I come from Marbella, a very sunny place in the south of Spain. Apart from writing obviously, I love playing the piano, swimming and travelling. I am very passionate about art, mostly paintings and sculptures. I joined the Maastricht Diplomat to have a platform to express myself and improve my writing, I am very excited to start!

My name is Maya and I am (half French, half German) a first-year student at the University College Maastricht. Quite like the typical UCM student, I like to look at the bigger picture of things. In Maastricht, you´re most likely to see me at the market or on a walk at Sint Pieter. Some of my interests are art (mostly photography), heated debates about politics, and amateur philosophical conversations! Oh and above all of that: Chocolate!

Hi! I am Laura, a happy-go-lucky 20 years old student from Belgium. I’m currently in my last year at UCM where I largely specialize in international relations, peace & conflict, and security studies. Considering my academic interest, keeping up-to-date with the news is a must. As a writer for MD I hope to bring attention to topics contemporary news sources tend to ignore due to its controversy. Additionally, I view writing as an expressive outlet, and am eager to share personal experiences as well as academic knowledge. UNSA holds a very special place in my heart, and has truly been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.

I am a third year European Law student, currently doing a minor in Sustainability. I finds interest in art, literature, listening to good music and...oh yeah, law stuff (specifically relating to private law or criminal law and psychopathology). In the future I hope to become a practicing lawyer and freelance writer.

I study Liberal Arts and Sciences in my second year, focusing on psychology, politics and development. I enjoy discussing controversial topics and love that as a writer we have the possibility to speak up about important issues.
In Maastricht I often take strolls outside of the city, discovering new beautiful places in the nature. But I also love doing sports of any kind. When I am not outside, I like to read a good book and try (or rather fail) to teach myself to play the guitar. I am really excited for my time as a writer of MD!

Having moved countries every 3 to 5 years, I have always found an interest in cultural understanding and global affairs. I moved to Maastricht two and a half years ago to start my Bachelor in International Business, and I am happy to say that I have almost completed my studies with a Minor in Entrepreneurship! For my last semester here, I joined the MD as a writer to explore journalism as one of my interests (and I look forward to developing my writing style, while most are my experiences are through creative writing). When I'm not writing, you can find me studying at one of the many cafés in Maastricht, cooking dinners for my flat, playing Skyrim (again), and drinking plenty of coffee.

I am a chatty Italian and German girl doing her Erasmus at Maastricht University. I study international relations and I am interested in politics, European and international affairs in general. I have a passion for acting, being politically active, travelling and chips. And what better way to combine my interests and my chattiness than a podcast?

I am a Lankan-Sinhalese and a European-French, was born in the Parisian suburbs to two Negombians, and grew up in an ever more multicultural France before moving to Maastricht in 2019 to start a Bachelor's in European Studies. My uni life so far, spent between Maasje, Paname and Montréal, has been a period of (re)discovering myself: claiming back the culture of my roots that I had denied for so long, delving further into what being queer entails, and learning to express my non-binary gender. After two years of looking after the UNSA's marketing and communications, I joined the MD's podcast in 2022 to tell the stories that are dear to me, and I could not be more excited to keep doing so this year!