Name:
Steffi de Jong

Birth date:
8th of February 1985

Nationality:
Dutch

Studies:
- Bachelor in Movement Science at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) 
- Erasmus Mundus Master in Adapted Physical Activity at the University of Leuven (Belgium). During this one-year international Master I studied four months in Leuven, three months at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo (Norway) and three months at Stellenbosch University (South-Africa). 
- Master in Sport Sciences with specialty ‘Organization and Evaluation of sport projects for people with disabilities’ at the University of Paris X (France).

Passions:
From the day I could stand, my parents threw me balls, placed me on sledges and later on skis in the snow and taught me to use a racket, to kick a ball, to swim and to make handstands. With such a youth I had no other option than creating a passion for sports. Later on, I became also interested in traveling. Seeing, experiencing and learning from other cultures and countries is great to me.

Favorite place to be:
Each time when I am in a new country I realize how lucky I am to have the opportunity to experience all the beautiful things in this new environment and culture. For example a place high in the mountains of Lesotho (Africa), without tourists but only kind people traveling hours by foot, donkey or horse to reach the nearest town, was such a great place. However, each time when I’m back in Europe, close to my family and friends, I realize what a great place they can also create for me.

Biggest challenge in setting up projects:
I think my biggest challenge in setting up projects is to adapt my expectations in such a way that they are realistic in the context and culture I am working in. Working in Africa is absolutely not the same as working in Europe. Sometimes I would like to be more efficient, but that can be impossible (for example when people do not show up for appointments or when the power is off for the whole day). You need to be flexible , if you do not want to get disappointed. Luckily, I can say that this challenge is also one of the reasons why I like the work so much. I never know what is going to happen that day.

Things you miss when you are away from your home country:
Of course, I miss my family and friends when I am away from home. Besides, I have to admit that after days of ugali (an African maize porridge) I also miss the European food!

Best experience in the last year:
Last year I have had lots of good experiences, so it is difficult to choose one of them. For sure that the first recreation day in Kenya, where I could see the results of all the efforts, was very special to me.

Message to others:
Sometimes people tell me that they wish they could also travel and work in different countries. For all the people saying that I would like to say: “If that is really what you want: Go for it, because I am sure you will always be happy that you have had this experience”.