Olof president Sven de Rouw: ‘Sometimes I really need afternoon naps, because it can get quite late here’

No black tie, more like black eye. The Olof kickboxing gala on Apri 24l is about students who punch, hit and kick. The ladies and gentlemen participants have been training for this for months. In the meantime, we take the opportunity to meet the president of Olof, Sven de Rouw (22), accountancy student.

1. What did you want to be as a child?

‘I used to want to be a pilot all the time. Actually, still a bit. I think it would be a great feeling to fly in such a powerful aircraft and take people from a to b. I find it interesting to tick off places in the world anyway and how easy is it that as a pilot you are in a different part of the world every week. Now it probably won’t be him, but you can always dream.’

2. What is your biggest fear?

‘I’m afraid of spiders and snakes, but that’s not my biggest fear. I have to say that lately I have been thinking how the world is changing so drastically and we can no longer live the way we used to. If you look at the current developments with the new president of the US and the steps that person can take on his own. Especially if you look at what is being said about Europe, it is remarkable how quickly that can change. If you look at it realistically, it can be quite scary sometimes.’

3. What is a perfect night out for you?

‘It starts in our own house bar at Kongsi with a group of friends from the house, or from outside. And then preferably enjoying the sun with that group at the five-way junction until about eleven o’clock, or until it’s too cold. And then ending up in Baret, Bolle or Studio. Everything is possible, it doesn’t really matter. That’s a perfect night out.’

4. What music can you not get enough of?

‘That’s actually one specific artist: Post Malone. I haven’t been able to get enough of his music for a few years now. Great music to just wake up to in the morning or listen to on my bike. He has released several albums and has now moved a bit more towards country, a nice twist.’

5. You have an unexpected afternoon off, how do you spend the time?

‘I think I’ll move myself to the Jumbo and get a nice soft drink and a some chips. And then I’ll flop down on the couch in my room to enjoy a good movie or a nice series. Although there is a chance that I won’t make it to the end of it, because my eyes have already closed and I’m enjoying a wonderful afternoon nap. I can use that sometimes, because it can get quite late here.’

6. Your house is on fire and you can only save one possession. What do you take with you?

‘If my phone is already in my pocket, I would go for my laptop. That’s something you use every day. For studying, for work and for everything else you do. When I look at my room, I think that is the most valuable thing to save. You can always buy new clothes.’

7. What series do you watch to relax?

‘Friends. That series is easy to watch. I think I have watched it four or five times now. You don’t really have to pay attention anymore. You put it on and you can do some laundry at the same time, it is just a great background to look at and sometimes laugh at the jokes that are made.’

8. What gives you a short fuse?

‘I can’t stand it when people don’t pay attention and ask questions they could have already known the answer to. I find that a bit annoying. Just pay attention and think for a moment, instead of asking everything right away. If you think two seconds longer, then you basically know the answer, right?’

9. They sometimes say that you learn the most from your mistakes. What is your best blunder?

‘Lying to your parents. They will find out at some point. It can be about something very small, but the advice I have given myself is: always be honest. Because they find out, right? You were too late, you lied and then you disappointed your parents with something they might not have minded at all. But you thought they would. That’s the mistake you make. And yes, you learn from that.’

10. What should you actually do (more)?

‘I should go to my parents more and call or visit my grandparents more often. Since I live here, it mostly is the standard birthday or the loose coffees. Spontaneous visits have drastically been reduced in the past five years. I am of course actually busy with everything from Monday to Friday. And then I play hockey on Sunday. Still, the message to myself is: just make more time for it.’

11. What are your plans for after your studies?

‘After my studies I will work for one of the Big Four, I think in Amsterdam. Whether I will live in Amsterdam or Utrecht, I am not sure yet. I’m not sure yet. I see it as a kind of second student life, four or five years of just working there. And then returning to the beautiful south to hopefully find something together with a girlfriend. Maybe here, that’s still very open.’

12. Order food or cook yourself?

‘Cook for yourself. I love going to the market or visiting the butcher to get a nice piece of meat and then make a nice meat-potato and veggie-meal out of it. I think ordering food yourself is a waste of money. And actually it’s always greasy and not great. So cooking for yourself is cheaper and tastier.’

13. Rico Verhoeven or Mathieu van der Poel?

‘Rico Verhoeven. I’m not a cycling fan at all, so that’s why. Besides the fact that I think he’s better, it’s also special that Verhoeven is still so fit at such an age and can stand on such a podium. I think he is around 35, to retain the world championship, that does requir motivation and discipline.’

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