Hello, how are you? My name is Marliene. I am originally from the Amsterdam area, but have lived in Susteren since 1996. My two beautiful daughters now live in Eindhoven. When they were young, I volunteered with the AZC in Echt, Limburg to teach Dutch conversation skills and later basic computer skills to female refugees. I found the Buddy System through my work for Zuyd Hogeschool’s research centre for Material Sciences. As an office manager, I coordinate a student exchange programme with various Brazilian universities. I try to make the students feel at home in Limburg and at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. After all, they might want to stay in this region as future expats.

In my twenties, I backpacked a year in Australia and South-East Asia. I travelled to most continents for holidays and met many locals there. I still love to travel off the beaten track. After playing handball all my life, I now play tennis with friends. I enjoy going to the theatre and cinema. But I also love to go to local pubs and listen to live rock/blues music. And I really appreciate having a personal drink together. Generally, I am a happy person and have the luxury to have a positive life attitude. Oh, and I have a motorbike but ride it far too little.