THUAS Talks
Real Stories. Fresh Perspectives.
Date: May 20, 2025
Time: 16:00 - 17:00
Location: Speakers' Corner
THUAS Talks is back for its third edition! We’re handing the mic to students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences who aren’t afraid to open up, get personal, and talk about the things that actually matter. Whether it’s navigating misunderstood learning difficulties, unpacking what love really means, or finding meaning in our most embarrassing moments — these Talks are honest, relatable, and refreshingly unfiltered.
Each speaker brings something different to the table, but they all share one thing: a story worth telling. So come along, listen in, and maybe even see a bit of yourself in what they have to say.
As always, it's free for students and staff! Join our free guest list and get inspired by stories that stay with you.
This event is brought to you in collaboration with European Studies students Erben Oosting and Demi Vreden.
The speaker line-up.
Mike Unguryan & Amber van Schaik
The Forgotten Learning Disability
Hi! We're Amber and Mike, third-year European Studies students and we are very excited to do a THUAS Talks. At a young age, we were both diagnosed with dyscalculia, a specific learning difficulty that is still widely misunderstood. Due to this lack of awareness, we've encountered many challenges throughout our education. In our Talk, we want to raise awareness on dyscalculia. Through sharing our personal experiences and the broader issues surrounding this often-overlooked condition, we hope to advocate for better understanding and support.
Ioana Scalat
Love, actually... (yes, like the movie)
Hello everybody! My name is Jo. I am a 4th-year European Studies student looking to share some food for thought about love, because I love, love... and I could talk to you all day about how beautiful and complex love is outside its stereotypical, romantic image. No cliché stories here, just some lines from the diary of a lover girl.
Thijmen Puite
Walk of Shame
I am a bundle of endless energy and talking. And if anything more than that, I am fascincated by stories, and story-telling. I like looking at the things which make us tick, what moves us, and what doesn't. With an insatiable curiosity and inexhaustible enthusiasm, here I am.
Previous editions
Couldn't make it to THUAS Talks in person? Don't worry, catch up on all the insightful discussions and inspiring moments by watching the talks here!
The Son of Migrants
Aaron is a European Studies student and passionate activist against injustice, hailing from a Congolese background. He will delve into his personal journey, shedding light on the often overlooked challenges faced by immigrants living in the Netherlands.
Grass Roots
Eliot is an American Finn, studying International Law. His talk covers the dramatic and tragic reality of how the grass on the lawn of a house has been weaponized to discriminate people of color in the United States.
Children of War
Somia is a third year European Studies student, who fled from Afghanistan eight years ago, and has been living in the Netherlands ever since. In her talk Somia describes how the traumas of war are passed down through generations.
The land without an identity
Join Aiden on a journey through Belize's captivating story, colored by his own native experiences. From growing up in a family resort bustling with visitors to studying in The Hague, Aiden paints a vivid picture of Belize's cultural heritage.
Living one drink at a time
Delaney, an American exchange student studying European Studies, shares her personal battle with substance abuse. Her talk is a raw, heartfelt account of her journey, aiming to shed light on the complex realities of addiction among young adults.
Big fish in small pond
Meet Anna, whose journey from the colorful streets of Vietnam to the Netherlands sparks a remarkable adventure. In this talk, Anna dives deep into life's meaning, challenging norms and urging us to embrace the questions that drive us.