Vera Praet

Extracurricular activities

Besides experience gained from work and education, I built knowledge and experience through extracurricular activities. Please find a short summary with background information per topic below.

​

Ecology and conservation

My knowledge of biology started building when I was a young girl, trying to learn as much about wildlife as I could. At university I learned to look at nature from a different angle, to grasp some of it's complexity and immense value. To expand knowledge on wildlife and conservation, I went to various seminars and workshops, complemented with a great deal of self-study, for example through books and documentaries. Furthermore, various excursions and field-days in both the Netherlands and abroad continue to enrich me. Volunteering at two inspiring organisations in South Africa only makes me more motivated to continue to learn more, and put that knowledge to good use.

​

Communication, education and coaching

I originally gained experience in education and communication through sports, where I give clinics and beginners courses, and more recently started coaching at club- and national level. I realized that I greatly enjoy sharing knowledge and teaching skills about something I am very enthusiastic about, and wanted to be able to share my passion for nature in a similar manner. I have learned much about my own interests and skills in this field from a minor in communication and education and an internship at a zoo, and continue to practice by working at a museum and coaching the youth selection of underwater hockey. Rather than only teaching, I enjoy the process of product and course development as well.

​

Organizing and coordinating

Studies, work, and sports have always stimulated me to organize and plan my life rather strictly to be able to combine everything properly. Additionally, going abroad in 2014 and 2018 required a fair amount of organization skills. Since around 2010 I actively participate in the organisation and coordination of various small and large events. Such activities have often been sports-related, such as clinics, promotion, teambuilding activities, fundraising events, tournaments, and training weekends. In 2017, I co-founded a new underwater hockey club in Utrecht (UVO) where I was chairman for 1,5 years. As I joined the Future For Nature Academy in 2018 I plan to organize various nature-related activities, starting with a citizen-science project early 2019 for Bring the Elephant Home.

​

Personal development

I have learned a lot about myself, including my strengths and limitations, from a number of experiences. I find this very valuable as it helps me get the most out of different situations. For example, going abroad learned me to 'go with the flow', and to create opportunities and make the most of it. Going on excursions made me realize that my passion for nature is deeply rooted and I should continue to incorporate nature in my lifestyle or work. Personality tests made me understand myself better, as well as shed light how my personality fits those of others. Being in the national selection of underwater hockey taught me to commit to a goal and not give up. It also made me appreciate how everybody has different strengths which, when correctly joined, make a group of people a close and strong team. Training for, and going to World Championships has learned me how I react under pressure, and through which type of coaching I perform best. Lastly, the assistance of a sports psychologists has lately made me even more aware of how valuable it is to reflect on situations and to learn from them.