By: Chris Vreugdenhil
Staff-Writer
Hello! My name is Chris Vreugdenhil, and I am an intern at The Preface for the first time this semester. I am currently studying for a B.A. in Anthropology, a minor in History, and a Social and Cultural Diversity Certificate.
I grew up in Grandville, Mich., a city outside of Grand Rapids – not too small, but small enough that I would run around the neighborhood and know almost everyone there. Around third grade I moved to South Bend, and I have been living here since. That’s not to say I have not traveled, though.
I went to Costa Rica in high school on an Educational Tours trip that spanned the whole county. Nicaragua and the Bahamas were both mission trips that changed my perspective on life in general…and made me despise the whole idea of mission trips.
In the Bahamas, I helped run a daycare (as much as a highschool student could), helped build the skeleton of a house and repainted a church that was in the area. We stayed in a school that was not being used and ate fried conch – the snails inside conch shells – for breakfast every other morning. In Nicaragua, I helped build the base of three stilt houses, helped run a food outreach for kids in the area for a day and played with the kids at the orphanage I was staying at.
Before coming to The Preface, I have worked an interesting mix of jobs. I worked in a building supply warehouse on and off for about 8 years; I actually got my forklift license before I got my actual drivers license. I have also worked as a drywall hauler and a glass wall specialist. I currently work at the Career Services Office on campus, a sustainable farm called Green Bridge Growers and for a wedding venue as a server on the weekends.
Outside of school, I have a scuba license. I love archery, and I used to do fencing. I love photography and aquariums. I enjoy playing video games, playing and writing Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and listening to spooky podcasts and new music. I absolutely LOVE food, which is what inspired me to start the Foodie Friends club on campus. I love meeting new people and having new experiences, so come with me to enjoy life!
