Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Ariane and I’m 33 years old. Born in Rotterdam, just like my father and grandfather and bred in a little village next to Rotterdam. After my studies in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Public Administration I moved to Brussels to work for a political party in the European Parliament. Very interesting, but after 4 years I needed a change and decided to move back to Rotterdam.
Why did you move back to Rotterdam?
After studying in Utrecht and Leiden and then working in Brussels I felt a strong desire to go back to Rotterdam. I can’t explain exactly why. Maybe because in all these cities, because of my accent and attitude, I was always a Rotterdam-girl, and now was ready to come home.
What do you do in daily life?
Last year I took a leap of faith and started my own company Inside Rotterdam.Inside Rotterdam offers private, business and small-group tours letting visitors discover the city the local way, and being accompanied by an ‘all-knowing’ fun local.
I also work for Prodemos in the Hague, an organisation that informs primarily youngsters about Dutch democracy. We do this in a fun dynamic way, so that the school kids don’t get bored. J
Besides work I love spending time: in nature, with lovely people, acting in a theatre group, reading, writing, and meditating.
What makes you happy?
Travelling in time, space and perspective. Travelling in the true sense of the word, not only moving your body, but also your mind. It’s about changing the position of your perspective and being amazed by what you see with your new eyes. You can do this anywhere. I like to do in my city on my tours or by myself or go abroad. But it can also be done differently, for example by being taken on a journey in a beautiful book and seeing things in a completely different light because of it. This makes me intensely happy.
What do you love about Rotterdam?
Rotterdam’s diversity and energy. Rotterdam houses 176 different nationalities, it makes the city worldly and extremely interesting. Not to forget all the delicious food! Further, we like to create and make things happen. “Stop talking, start working” is a famous Rotterdam phrase. It’s a no-nonsense city and I hope this will stay. The people are direct and open. Don’t be surprised if a local just randomly starts talking to you at a traffic light. Rotterdam people like to connect. This makes this urban metropole a warm place to live and generates a feeling that you’re part of something bigger.
