Kevin Rosser ’92: Netherlands
Hometown: Denver, Colorado.Current location: I’ve lived in the Hague in the Netherlands since 2008. Before that I lived in the U.K. for 10 years, and between 1992–94 I lived in Aleppo (Syria), Cairo (Egypt), and Sanaa (Yemen).
Career: I’m a sustainable finance project manager for a multinational energy company. I lead the company’s effort to comply with financial market regulations on disclosure of environmental, social, and governance information.
Why the Netherlands: A series of happy accidents. I set out expecting to become a journalist or an academic specializing in the Middle East. During graduate school I became interested in how natural resources shape the politics and economics of resource-rich countries. That led to a job with a research institute specializing in energy economics and, after a stint in consulting, a move into the industry. I never planned to settle abroad, but one opportunity led to another.
Cornell impact: My life changed on my first day at Cornell, when I made a spontaneous decision to enroll in a course on the Islamic Revolution in Iran. I became fascinated with the Middle East and continued pursuing my interest even after the visiting professor who taught that course moved on. Two weeks after graduating, I was taking my first Arabic lesson in Aleppo. From there, I moved on to Egypt, Yemen, and eventually St. Antony’s College in Oxford to pursue a master’s degree. I still remember exactly where I sat in South Hall on that first day of class. Whenever I return to Cornell, I visit that classroom and reflect on the gift of my liberal arts education.
Benefits of living in a different culture: If there’s one thing I’d love everyone to experience, it’s the sheer pleasure of riding a bicycle in the Netherlands. The Dutch are passionate cyclists and lead the world in designing transportation systems that encourage cycling as a safe and sustainable option. I’ve traveled all over Europe on a bike, but my favorite route is in my backyard: following the North Sea coastline from The Hague to the Hook of Holland, up to the industrial port of Rotterdam, and returning through the farmlands around Delft. You can sample three great Dutch landscapes in one day.
What would you tell students: Meet the world with humility and curiosity. Everyone has something to teach you, from the market trader to the diplomat.
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