About me

Home life: My name is Koen Höcker—Koen rhymes with moon. I'm a native of Alkmaar, the Netherlands, a country somewhere in Europe which is half the size of Kentucky but has a population four times as large. For the past 18 years I've lived in a typical Dutch house (with a view of a windmill) with my parents and older sister. I went to Murmellius Gymnasium, a high school I really recommend when you're living in Alkmaar—where I've had six years of English. Therefore, I apologize for any grammatical errors in this journal and all the other upcoming posts.

Intended major and minor: International studies as a major and probably political economy as a minor.

Extracurricular activities & interests: I love kayaking but any sports will do fine for me. I'm also into photography, especially photos of nature.

Favorite vegetable: French haricots verts, which are green beans.

Strangest or most unusual thing that has ever happened to me: That I'm going to study in Kentucky of all places (what's wrong with Amsterdam?). Although getting a phobia of waves (from one dive in the Pacific Ocean) is also a contender.

Most prized possession: I could say my kayaking medals, but those aren't really prized. So I'll go with my warm winter jacket.

Three words that describe me: Friendly, curious, and Dutch.

Person (alive or deceased) that I’d like to have dinner with: I have two: a deceased Dutch one and a living American one. The first one is William of Orange because he's of significant importance to Dutch history. The latter is Bill Clinton because he's, in my opinion, the best president America has had so far.

My greatest fear: Big waves (see above). And I consider one-foot-high waves to be big.

People may be surprised to know that: I have some kind of nail obsession. My nails have to be clean, not too long, not too short, and well-shaped.

Favorite quote: "Waarom moeilijk doen als het gemakkelijk kan" and I will translate that for those who can't read Dutch: " Why do it the hard way if you can do it the easy way".

Why I chose Centre College: Long story. But to make it short, after I got some good offers from other colleges in the U.S.A., I followed my instinct, which said Centre College, and I chose Centre.