Interview with Dennis Dasselaar
Interview with Dennis Dasselaar

"It will help if you listen to people. You have one mouth and two ears…think about it."

Dennis Dasselaar
Senior Analyst in Real Estate Banking
Deutsche Hypothekenbank
Germany

Doctorate of Business Administration Batch 2021

Please tell us something about yourself?

I am 46 years old, and I live in Germany with my wife, Maike. When I'm not studying, we love traveling the world together. In 2020, we visited Austria; before that, we went on a cruise to the Baltic Sea and New England - it was a fantastic experience. Taking road trips in North America, Scotland or Ireland make us feel alive and excited. We are also happy taking short trips to cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona or Stockholm.

What is unusual about me is that being half Dutch, I don't like cheese, really no cheese - not even on a pizza. That's why I prefer to eat my bread on Sunday mornings with Nutella or strawberry jam. But we often meet up with friends and enjoy a delicious breakfast in a café.

What drew you to the program you are studying at Athena? Is it living up to your expectations?

I like the program structure and the fact that the final degree comes from a European university. Since it is all distance learning, it is convenient and safe during the Corona crisis. The program has just started. Everything works fantastically well.

What would you like to learn next? What are your next career steps?

Playing the piano would be nice. Regarding my career, I have no particular thoughts at the moment.

Tell us about a couple of your achievements that have been particularly rewarding.

The most outstanding achievement was meeting my wife and asking her for a date 26 years ago.

What acquired skill have you always wanted to learn?

Learning English would be so useful. It opens countless doors, and you can communicate with so many people worldwide.

If you could go back in time, what time would you go to?

I would go back to the 80s. I had a great childhood during that period. Even if the fashion back then was scary.

Any person, living or dead, you would like to have dinner with?

It would be my grandma. She passed away five years ago. I am glad I had her for such a long time.

Which fictional character would you like to meet?

James Bond. He is smart and has a lot of experience in all kinds of situations. It would be an exciting evening with him.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? How has it changed your life?

It will help if you listen to people. You have one mouth and two ears…think about it.

 

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