Please tell us about yourselves.

Christina and Raphael: We both studied law at Stellenbosch and joined the LLM in International Business Transactions programme in 2001/02.

Christina: I work as senior manager in the International Tax Department of KPMG in Munich. I live in the Munich city centre during the week; otherwise, I spend as much time as possible at Chiemsee (also called the “Bavarian Sea"), near the Alps. Matters are much more relaxed in the countryside during the current pandemic.

Raphael: I work as legal counsel at Siemens and live on the outskirts of Munich.

Freek: I live in The Netherlands. During my time in Stellenbosch – in 2015 – I studied applied mathematics, statistics, geo-environmental science and economics. Now I work as product manager for a railway supplier.

Jazz: I am Dutch, and currently live and work in Amsterdam. I studied business administration, which is a bit funny if you know that my father is a musician and my mother a painter. I guess I wanted to do things differently! During my exchange semester in Stellenbosch I followed business management courses, but also Afrikaans (my favourite course).

It was a course in entrepreneurship at Stellenbosch that convinced me to pursue a master's degree in innovation and entrepreneurship. So, I can honestly say that Stellenbosch University has influenced my academic career.

Currently, I work as consultant for a Dutch bank. However, one day I will return to Africa to fulfil my dream of sharing my knowledge and to advise entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Africa to grow sustainable businesses.

You met at Stellenbosch; tell us how you became friends.

Christina and Raphael: We were among a couple of students who got to know each other during the International Office's orientation programme. The orientation week was very helpful as well as good fun.

Freek: We didn't know each other before, but we had applied to the same house: the Poolhouse. We shared the house with 16 internationals and 7 South-Africans, and it worked very well. From the first days onwards, we really got to know each other and became close friends. We did wine tastings, visited Cape Town, went to the bars, spent our leisure-time together … Not only the three of us, but also with many other housemates. The perfect combination of people, in the perfect environment. It still feels very good thinking back on that time!

Jazz: It was July 2015; Jannik (another friend), Freek and I all lived in the same house on Soeteweide Road and had arrived in South Africa during the same week. We had 20 other housemates, from all over: SA, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We did many things together as a house – from studying to a weekly football match, playing rugby (rather, trying to) and making trips around the country. Because most of us would be there for a short while, and were “alone" on the other side of the world, our friendship was pressure-cooked, I think. When our time in Stellenbosch came to an end, we rented a 4x4 and drove through SA, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; which also is an excellent way of getting to know one another.

What stands out for you when you think back on your time in Stellenbosch?

Christina and Raphael: We were Matie students for the one-year duration of our LLM programme. Academically, the most striking features were the very well-organised coursework programme, small class sizes, personal atmosphere and good relations with our excellent lecturers. The cool underground library on hot summer days also deserved a mention. Personally, the year in Stellenbosch counts among the most exciting, enriching and varied times one could experience.

Freek: We all spent six months in Stellenbosch. Hmm … thinking about special moments is hard, because there were so many of them. In addition to the things already mentioned, I would add the Garden Route tour, Rocking the Daisies and the World Cup Rugby tournament – all goosebump-worthy moments.

Jazz: Even though we spent only six months there, I remember being impressed by many things that to others were completely normal: people walking around campus barefoot, the excessive use of gumboots and a more flexible approach to the rule of law, to name a few. But also the complexity and challenges of the country; they don't teach you about them in Dutch schools.

Do you meet up from time to time?

Christina and Raphael: We meet regularly in Munich, often with other Maties.

Freek: We still meet from time to time. Actually, we have already spent several weekends in a group of six to seven guys. We went to Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Berlin. Without Corona we would have spent a weekend in the Ardennes. On top of that, we also met for other occasions. After spending such an intense and beautiful time together the common bond is very strong.

Jazz: When we came back, Jannik actually started looking for an internship in Amsterdam and quickly moved here, which made it much easier for us to stay in touch. After another period overseas, he is now settled in the Netherlands. I like to think that is because of us. ;)

Have you returned to Stellenbosch since your studies?

Christina: As I had international clients in South Africa, I regularly returned to South Africa for business as well as private purposes until 2014. Unfortunately, I have not visited the country in the past few years. I hope to be back soon!

Raphael: I have returned to Stellenbosch four times: in 2003, in 2006, during the World Cup in 2010 and in 2018 – the last time – with my son (aged 10 at that time) to show him Stellenbosch.

Freek: Yes, I did, by chance. My girlfriend's sister studied in PE in 2017, and I accompanied the family on a visit to her. On that trip we also visited Stellenbosch. However, it was during the Christmas season, so there were no students and the vibe was not equal to what I remembered. Still, it was very special to be there again.

Jazz: I, unfortunately, haven't returned. I am very keen to visit SA again soon to relive memories in Stellenbosch and visit places that I couldn't fit in last time.