Following Those Little Pings: 15 years In International Development & Cooperation (and Counting)

This week, I attended a small alumni meet-up here in Cologne. Nothing major, just a few of us from Maastricht University gathered over drinks and conversation—but somehow, it sparked something much bigger in me. A small reminder, a full-circle moment.

Left: Graduation Ceremony in Maastricht, 2012 | Right: Alumni Event Cologne, 2025

Because this summer marks 15 years since I first stepped into the world of international development and cooperation.

It was 2010, and I had just completed my first year at Maastricht. To be honest, that year was a hustle. Studying in English, navigating a new academic system abroad, finding my feet—it wasn’t the easiest road to take. And while many classmates had their summer internships lined up well in advance, I hadn’t yet figured out what was next.

Until one day, I passed a poster from AIESEC Maastricht. A volunteering opportunity abroad. I still remember the little ping it gave me. A few days later, I was at the info session, and soon after, I had submitted my application.

My dream? A volunteering experience in Africa.

A few months later, I landed in Nairobi, Kenya. I spent my summer working at a small school in Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in the world. I shared a modest apartment with a group of volunteers and made local friends. During the week, we worked with students. On the weekends, we explored as much as our student budgets allowed—mostly on safaris and of course a trip to the ocean. The Maasai Mara left me speechless. I still remember the feeling of wind in my face as we drove through the open plains. A sense of freedom and wonder that I had never known before.

A collection of pictures taken at Maasai Mara and from the outer walls of the school in Kibera

And just before leaving, I remember saying to one of the local friends, “Maybe one day, I could work for the United Nations (UN) here in Nairobi.”

Well, it’s not quite the UN, but in the 15 years since that summer, I’ve had the privilege of working with a variety of international institutions across several countries and continents—each one shaping me, challenging me, and expanding my sense of what’s possible.

So… How Did I Get Here?

That’s a question I get asked often. And I genuinely love when people ask. There’s something beautifully human about wanting to understand how someone’s story unfolds.

But I always hesitate a little before answering, because the truth isn’t linear or tidy.

Yes, it takes grit. Yes, persistence helps. And yes, it’s important to stay grounded in what matters most to you—especially when doubt creeps in (and trust me, it will). But beyond that, it’s been a practice of listening to those small intuitive pings. The ones that show up quietly and nudge you to step forward—towards a new place, a new experience, a new version of yourself.

International cooperation isn’t always the easiest field. The road can be long and full of uncertainty. There are sacrifices, and yes, the comparison to other industries can sting from time to time. But the gains? The growth, the perspective, the sense of contribution as well as the people that you meet on this journey—they’re priceless.

I’ve had moments of doubt, especially when I stopped listening to those intuitive nudges and got lost in expectations—my own and those of others. But every time I’ve found my way back to that sense of inner alignment, things started to move again.

Would I choose this path again? Absolutely.

Because meaning has always been one of my guiding stars.

The Thread That Connects It All

Interestingly enough, stepping into the world of coaching feels like a continuation of the same story. It’s another long road, paved with curiosity, learning, and the desire to help others navigate their own unique paths. I see it as an extension of the same core values that drew me to international work in the first place—connection, growth, contribution.

So here I am—15 years in, and still learning. Still listening for those quiet little pings. Still asking the deeper questions. And still committed to supporting others in doing the same.

Thanks for being here and reading along.

And who knows—maybe this post will be a little nudge for someone else, just like that AIESEC poster was for me.