Humans of Wing Chun: Mendeltje van Keulen

Mendeltje van Keulen 1975 The Hague Lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Year of birth: 1975
Profession:
- Professor of practice (lecturer) “European Impact” The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Jean Monnet Chair EU Digi Act
- Researches European affairs
- Member of the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV)
Place of residence: The Hague

Driven by curiosity, shaped by experience

If I had to describe myself in three words, I would say energetic, enthusiastic and impatient. I reap the benefits of my energy and enthusiasm every day, but fortunately I can still practise patience. Among other things, with Wing Chun!

I am the proud mother of a wonderful 18-year-old daughter. Of course, all mothers say that, but from the moment I had her, I knew I had found unbreakable happiness and love. My daughter is creative and incredibly good with language. She writes beautiful songs, is doing preparatory theatre school and forms a cabaret duo with her best friend. I enjoy doing and sharing all kinds of things together. This summer, we travelled through Malaysia together.

I have been curious since childhood. I find many things interesting and want to know and learn more. I also know that I can be impatient. I often want things to go faster than their natural pace. In doing so, I conveniently forget how much time it takes to learn something new. For example, Wing Chun.

Ways to achieve your goal

I am a researcher in European studies. For the past eight years, I have been leading a research group at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In this research group, I work together with students, lecturers and researchers. Our research helps organisations. For example, we investigate what employees of the Municipality of The Hague already know about the EU and how they can learn more about it.

I have been working on this subject for 30 years, so I have a lot of knowledge about the European Union and a large network. The media might lead you to believe that Brussels is some kind of bureaucratic monster, where thousands of anonymous civil servants make laws that don't fit properly, such as those on nitrogen. It is therefore an eye-opener to learn that many Dutch people are working on European cooperation and that companies often ask for government regulations that are the same in all countries where they sell their products.

Mendeltje van Keulen 1975 The Hague Lecturer The Hague University of Applied Sciences part 2

The Netherlands is just one of 27 countries that work closely together in the EU. Being right is not the same as getting your way. The same applies in diplomacy. I am a go-getter – in my enthusiasm and passion, I can sometimes get carried away in a discussion. Through my training at WuDae, I have become more aware of my own actions. When I feel pressure or resistance, I try to take a step back and approach the situation differently. Listening, engaging in conversation, learning from the perspectives of others. This is also inspired by my Wing Chun training. The philosophy of this sport, in which you use the energy of the other person and of the moment, teaches me how many different possibilities there are to achieve your goal. Thinking about the “curious hand” helps me to deal with situations in a different way.

A brief look back in time

How did I become interested in the European Union? After completing my pre-university education, I was exploring my options, and my father, who was a school counsellor at the time, visited the University of Twente. The campus there was unique at the time: a beautiful setting with all those student houses surrounded by greenery; and because it was a technical university, there were naturally many young men around. Without realising it at the time, that choice of study programme turned out to be a bull's eye. The public administration programme offered a specialisation in “national administration and European integration”. And that's what I've been doing ever since my internship at the Clingendael Institute here in The Hague.

Delving deeper into European politics

I am a political junkie. Before I ended up at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, I worked in the House of Representatives for a while. When they start out, many MPs and ministers know little about European politics. I found it challenging to introduce politicians to what happens in Brussels. Because that is where important policies are made for Dutch citizens and businesses. We have to actively participate in that, otherwise decisions will be made without us or about us.

I do worry about what the future will hold for my daughter and future generations. There is so much polarisation, those awful comments on social media, climate change, the dramatic situation in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan... There is a global trend towards autocracy and autocratic rulers. Here in the Netherlands, we are free to express our opinions, we seek majorities in politics, but we also protect minorities. I think it's only natural to go to the polling booth. And to read up on the choices available, even if you don't follow politics at all. You have been given a voice, so use it for good. In many places around the world, people are jealous of our democracy.

Training the brain

I try to keep challenging myself, not only at work, but also in my private life. I am convinced that it is good for your brain to learn something completely new every now and then. I played the oboe and rode horses for a while. I'm not really a sporty person by nature – getting there is always a struggle – but I know I have to do it, and I always feel good afterwards. On Thursday evenings, I play tennis with my daughter, which is especially enjoyable. At one point, it was time for something new, so I decided to search Google for martial arts in The Hague. That's how I ended up at WuDae. The combination of physical and mental training appealed to me. I decided to sign up for a trial lesson, and I really enjoyed it.

Mendeltje van Keulen 1975 The Hague Lecturer The Hague University of Applied Sciences part 3

Training for yourself

What I like about WuDae is that you train with such a diverse group of people. Everyone has a different background and level. What strikes me is that no one judges or condemns you for what you cannot yet do. You train for yourself and the teachers encourage you to train at your own pace and according to your own needs. The atmosphere is very good, both during and after the training sessions. Some people stick around afterwards for a drink and a chat, which helps you get to know each other a little. Still, it can surprise you where you encounter people from Wu Dae. I was recently at the Nieuwspoort press centre for work and was greeted enthusiastically by a man in a suit who looked vaguely familiar. I couldn’t quite place him, but he said: ‘I attacked you on Saturday!’. I wouldn’t have recognised him without his green shirt and had no idea he was a lobbyist.

Mendeltje van Keulen 1975 The Hague Lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Part 4

Through the fog

‘Life is the plural of courage’ is a lovely saying, from the Loesje posters. I once dated someone who worked at Loesje. He said he’d come up with that phrase – only later did I hear that many people claim to have done so – but he’s spot on. You have to do something exciting so often, step into the unknown. Whether it’s something new at work, having to make a difficult decision, or a choice made by someone else that takes you by surprise. The beauty of looking back on your life is that you see how, precisely through all the dents, bumps and scrapes, you have become more and more yourself. One of my favourite songs that ties in with this is ‘Ravijn’ by Veldhuis and Kemper:

“For the most beautiful flowers grow right by the ravine. And to pick them, you must dare to be afraid. In full regalia, through the mist – better that than never to have tried. Take a leap, straight ahead, or fly round the bends with a smile.”

Learning patience

For me, Wing Chun is primarily a mental challenge: building muscle memory so that the movements become second nature, as it were. Normally, I’m someone who likes to pick up the pace. For Wing Chun, I’ve consciously set myself a different challenge. Step by step, not quickly but patiently. My mother always says: “Hurry once said to Good: what a pity that I see you so rarely”.

Becoming a Doctor of Public Administration was a long journey involving a great deal of content and theory. My professor helped me put that into perspective. Whenever I got stuck, he would say: “It’s only a thesis.” He called it a driving licence for the academic world; you have to pass it once, and then you’ve got it for life. I still often think back to that way of looking at things.

The continuation of the interview with Mendeltje will soon be available here!

Text and photos by: Robine Hillen

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