The freshest intern in the 'hood'

Hello everyone! I’m Maja Anđela, the new intern in BR-ND. Let me introduce myself in a few words. 

If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be- the explorer. I am walking through my life with eyes wide open, feeding on new experiences. My drive to explore is mainly focused on human nature and society. And I have known for many years what I want to be when I ‘grow up’- a psychologist. However, my interests go beyond the studies of the human mind. Outside of my study time, I like to think about various global issues together with wondering about the future of the world and my place in it. 

I’m currently in my 3rd year of International Bachelor of Psychology at Leiden University. I hope to continue my education with a master program related to organisational development and consultancy and/or medical and health psychology. My main focus is on mental health stigma and sustainability awareness. This is how I imagine the perfect-case scenario for my future: implementing educational program from the earliest years of education to all schools. This program would teach children about the importance of sustainability and mental health.

As a kid I was known for having wild imagination, high energy, friendliness, and being a dreamer with my own ways of doing things. In the later years, these became recognized as being creative, approachable, ambitious with a go-getter spirit, and as a classmate once described it- unorthodox thinker. Being seenas ‘different’ only became appreciated since I moved to The Netherlands in 2015. Here I had to toughen up,  coordinate (more like juggle) between demanding study, endless party invitations and figuring out how to cook and do laundry. Four years, few shrunk sweaters and turned-on kitchen alarms, 2 AuPair families, 1 university change, and 4 moving houses later- I appear to be quite integrated with my host country and culture. I’m living in Rotterdam on a boat with a nice Dutch boy who cooks great stamppot,  I started arriving to places on time, I go to music festivals, wear summer clothes as soon as the temperature reaches 16° and I have the AH bonus card on my keychain. 

Free time & fun facts

A lot is changing in my life every year since high school- with the only constant being my love for salsa dance and music. Salsa is making any place feel like home for 8+ years now. Most of my heart however, belongs to food. Grocery shopping is my favorite kind of shopping! I love to play in the kitchen and cook without recipes (with approx 72% success rate). Lastly, I’m quite proud of my diverse taste in music. I’ve been raised on rock’n’roll and new wave, which now expanded to indie pop and rock, jazz, hip hop, techno and of course- trashy xmas music! 

What makes me feel good

I love the feeling after getting something done- for example a heavy workout on a lazy day, tasty meal I have never made before, or submitting an assignment. Also, I feel great after a good night of sleep, when I can do my slow relaxed morning routine and still make it on time where I have to be!

Through the cards of 23plusone

I’ve been introduced to the method recently, and found it to be an interesting, playful and creative way to get to know someone. So, if you happen to speak the language of 23plusone, let me tell you what I care about the most.

I am looking forward to both learning from and contributing to the work of BR-ND team!