Merle Kooij

1. Who are you?

Heyy :) i’m Merle, 20 years old and apparently also known as the girl who looks mean… I hope your thoughts have changed after reading this…


2. What do you do?

Well, that’s a hard question because I do a lot. Of course, I am a student, but besides that I am a full-time mom of Bo, she doesn’t survive a day without me… I know very busy.. but it’s okay, I will survive.


3. Why are you a member of Commotie?

After one year of online studying and not knowing so many people from CIS, and an invitation of my lovely committee members to join their committee, I decided to become an active member of Commotie this year!


4. Are you an active member as well?

So yes, an active member as well! As the head of promotion (and cook) of the InhouseCee.


5. How do you friends call you?

Among my friends and roommates, I am also known as: Mer, Merlie, Merliebeer and Julian


6. To which animal do you relate the most?

I guess a guinea pig. At least, that’s what my friends say when they take another unexpected picture of me.


7. Which activity of Commotie is most memorable?

I think my most memorable activity was the ‘prominent in de tent’ party. I guess eating soup before going to a party with unlimited drinks is not the best idea… and yes.. I’m Dutch so I take unlimited drinking very seriously! (We love ‘GRATIS’)


8. What are you most proud of?

I think I will always be proud of my mom, dad and my sister. They will always support me and I will always support them :)


9. What is your favorite spot in Groningen?

My favorite spot in Groningen is definitely the courtyard of Bottega Toscana Boccaccio in the Steentilstraat. It’s an Italian restaurant, and when you visit it in September or so, it just feels like you’re in the middle of Italy, enjoying the summer with some good food and lovely wine. The Italian fairy tale is not over until you have seen the bill and are back on the streets outside the restaurant.


10. What did you want to be when growing up?

I think I wanted to be a teacher, since my mom is one too and she’s always a great inspiration for me. But I think my ambitions have changed a little during the past years..


11. What is your favorite way of spending your free time?

There are lots of ways I’m spending my free time, but since going out for diner, having drinks with friends and travel would be a basic answer, I’m going for this one: driving in the car for hours with my sister when I’m in Deventer, where my parents live, putting on some music and singing along with it as loud as we can. Or is that basic too?...


12. What ability do you really want to have?

I’m not sure if this is what the creator of this questions meant, but I think I want to be able to appreciate all the little, beautiful things in life. Not only big things like graduating, going on vacation etc. but also that first cup of coffee in the morning, being with your friends, listening to music, going for a walk in the sun. I really want to learn to appreciate small moments of happiness that seem obvious but aren't always that obvious. Anyways, I’m working on that :)


13. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Eating a whole bag of candy at once and then accusing my sister of it and of course the amazing chocolate chip cookies from Piet (ILLY bar Harmonie building, go visit him!!)


14. What don’t you like?

When you shower too long and your fingers get wrinkly, you know what I mean? I try to avoid that as much as possible lol (such a sustainable girl, because that’s the reasons I can’t shower for hours ;) )


15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope, probably just like everyone, to have a nice job somewhere in the Netherlands (yes, I guess I will just stay here, very boring I know), with the possibility to develop myself and to make thousands of beautiful memories in addition to the amazing memories I’ve made so far.


16. Which Commotie member would you vote for to become president?

I think I will vote for Tony. He would look amazing in that green suit don’t you think? And if you don’t know him by now, shame on you!


17. Which two members of Commotie should go on a date?

Juan and Henry, no doubt. I mean, don't you see how these two look at each other? If that doesn't work out, my faith in love will be gone forever.


18. To whom do you want to pass the keyboard and why?

I will pass the keyboard to (very unexpected) the Jut to my Jul, the Knabbel to my Babbel, my sister from another mister: Bo Bennen! So that you can finally get to know her great personality.


Merle_keyboard.jpeg