Marcel Jansen, Director

I first arrived in Bristol from the Netherlands in 1994 and returned here a few years later.

I really like Bristol because it's big enough to have everything you would need for facilities and entertainment but not so big you spend ages getting around. As an example, when I leave my house to go for a run on a Saturday or Sunday I can use the miles of park-land called the 'Downs', cross the Suspension Bridge and run over the woodland trails of nearby Leigh Woods. Now that's a lovely run!

I'm one of the directors of International House Bristol and I look after our computers and technology. Since I'm an IT person by background, here are some IT trivia about me: I've got an MSc in Computer Science, I've had an email address and been on the internet since 1993, I got my first mobile phone in 1995 and have had 3 other mobile phones since then (my current one dates back to 2002). What, in my opinion, is the most important computer related advice: backups … make sure you back up your stuff, preferably in more than one way.

On a more personal note, I met my wife, who is also my fellow director, here in Bristol and this is where we decided to raise a family.  It is a great place for kids and my two really enjoy living here and studying.