Working with students on budgeting, salaries, lending and investing is an eye-opener I would recommend to parents and professionals of the financial sector any day! I thoroughly enjoy their openness to learn new concepts and to be awed by unexpected information as well as their willingness to put up a challenge when they think they know better.

It is humbling to see their pragmatism at a relatively young age, and I find it energizing when they seem to come out of their cocoon right in front of my eyes, perk up their ears and start sharing their point of view. Discussing concrete examples of pay slips, loan repayment schedules and emergency funds is crucial to spark their interest and unlock their motivation. The experience is truly gratifying and I would dare say I learn as much from them as they do from me.

An especially insightful moment of the program is when they share the concerns they already have about their future professional and personal lives. Teenagers are often dismissed as oblivious of the world around them but that has not been my experience with this program. From clear plans about what to study, when to have a family and how to care for elderly parents to concise business plans from soon-to-be entrepreneurs, every year I am amazed by the insight these young adults possess.

It’s not just volunteering, it’s a human experience. It is a meeting that allows one to understand how young people view the world and their place in it. It is a personal sharing of experiences as one tries to provide them with basic financial education that will be useful to them as they face choices about education, work, family and personal finance in general.

I am very grateful to Jonk Entrepreuneuren for their efforts in creating and maintaining these programs, and I am proud to be part of it! Who would not want to invest in our future?