Testimonials
With courses about music, art, history, politics, popular culture, literature and linguistics courses, it never gets dull.
- Previous education
- VWO at Marianum Groenlo
- Programme
- American Studies
- Study start date
- Study end date
Why did you choose Radboud University?
After having a great Student-For-A-Day experience, I noticed that both the university and the city perfectly catered to my needs and to my expectations of academic life. The university gives you plenty of freedom to form an academic year to your liking while also being of great assistance when something goes awry. Nijmegen is a great city because it is really quite small without feeling crowded or cramped.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university?
I personally did not experience that much of a rocky transition, except for the way of testing. I had never written an essay before university, but suddenly nearly all of my exams were essays. Luckily, there are courses which sole purpose is to teach you how to write an academic essay, and I got the hang of it in no time!
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why?
American Studies is perfect for me because it is extremely interdisciplinary. I did not know what I wanted to do after high school so studying American Studies gave me the freedom to do a little bit of everything while still feeling cohesive and catering to my interests. With courses about music, art, history, politics, popular culture and literature as well as plenty of linguistics courses, it never gets dull.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
Lecturers in American Studies are highly involved in the students' life, mostly because the study is relatively small. Lecturers show genuine interest in the goings-on of your life. Since you all picked the same study, your interests align with your fellow students'. This makes making friends and talking to fellow students so much easier than in high school. The study association (USA Nijmegen) also helps with the bonding process among students.
I have been a very active member of USA Nijmegen this year, and next year I will be in the board! I will be CIA (Chief Internal Affairs) and will make sure that all committees run smoothly and that all events will be a big success.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I would love to fully move to the US, hopefully to be a correspondent or journalist for the Dutch news. As a plan B, I also love teaching so I might become a lecturer at Radboud!
What do you like about Nijmegen?
Nijmegen is really open-minded, safe and accepting for anyone and everyone. The city is hard to get lost in, yet there are hidden gems all over the city where you can have a great dinner, enjoy nature or have drinks with friends. I have lived here for nearly two years now and I still discover something new every time.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies?
Yeah! I was a student-for-a-day and I visited the open day, which really cemented my choice to study American Studies as opposed to other comparable studies. By talking to students who are already studying the track, all my suspicions were confirmed and all of my questions were answered.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Really dive into the 'courses and curriculum' tab of the studies. There, you can find exactly what you will study over the course of three years. The study homepage gives a brief overview, but it is often not as in-depth as you would want it to be. Also check out the corresponding study association since that will be a great way to socialise with your fellow students.
I liked that we had a lot of freedom to write about what we wanted to write about for essays, assignments and exams.
- Programme
- American Studies
- Study start date
Why did you choose Radboud University?
I attended the open day a year before starting my program, and that really helped me get a feel for both the campus and the course. I chose Radboud because I really wanted to study American Studies, and it was the nearest university that offered the program. The program and the university itself were also very attractive.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university?
I personally did not feel a big transition from high school to university, so did not need any assistance from the university or program.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme?
I liked that we had a lot of freedom to write about what we wanted to write about for essays, assignments and exams. Beyond that, the diversity of courses exposed me to a lot of things I would not otherwise have taken interest in. The program also challenged me to keep a consistent work ethic to read all assigned texts and thoroughly prepare my exams and essays. The fact that there were never more than 30 students to a classroom made it easy to get to know your teachers and vice versa.
Are you involved with the study association of your program?
I was part of USA Nijmegen for three years, where I participated in a few of the cooking committee's activities, and wrote for "the issue" in year three.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I like that Nijmegen is big enough to have everything you could want from a city as a student in terms of amenities and activities, but it's also small enough that you can easily get around on foot or by bike.
What would you advise students when choosing a study program?
I think prospective students should ask themselves how their study program will help them achieve their goals for later in life, and if they're unsure as to what those goals are, choose a program that can help you figure that out. For me, it was the latter, and I am glad I chose American Studies.
Studying makes you a more rounded person as a whole, regardless of the programme you choose.
- Programme
- American Studies
- Study end date
Why did you choose to work in this field?
I am a creative person who loves writing and creating new things.
What did you learn during your studies that you now use in your work?
Writing, writing, writing. But I also learned a lot about culture and politics, which helped me understand my clients and their target audience better.
How did you experience this programme at Radboud University? In your opinion, what made this programme special?
My programme was very small and intimate, which made for great discussions during seminars. I learned a lot from my peers! My programme was also very up-to-date when it came to everything that went on in the world. We even had a course about Donald Trump’s presidency.
What would you recommend to future students when they go to choose a study?
I’d dare to say that in the end, it doesn’t really matter which programme you choose, as long as you do something that interests you. Studying makes you a more rounded person as a whole, regardless of the programme you choose. So, do something that you love and don’t worry too much about the future. I truly believe you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be one way or the other.
After American Studies, I would like to do something abroad and make a difference for the Netherlands there.
- Programme
- American Studies
When David tells people he is studying American Studies, he is often asked, "Will you then become the new Maarten van Rossem?" David can laugh about it. As a third-year American Studies student at Radboud University in Nijmegen, he knows better. He chose the study precisely for its diversity, both in the study programme and in future opportunities. Besides studying, David also has a busy student life in Nijmegen, and this academic year, he is doing a board year at the USA Nijmegen Study Association. David's degree choice and active role in the study association have already given him many memorable moments.
But most of all, I want to be in Nijmegen
David doubted his choice of study for a long time. Although he initially wanted to study law, visiting an open day made him realise that he would rather do something that combines language, culture, history, and politics. This led David to the Bachelor's programme in American Studies in Nijmegen, where he has lived in his room for about two years. The subjects in the degree's first year fit well with his interests. David took courses on American literature and culture but also learned about linguistics and the history of American politics. David says: "I'm now in my third year, and you still take a lot of second-year courses with which you can specialise in, for example, digital studies, film studies, or you can go further into language studies if your interests lie more there." David chose to major in politics and culture. It is typical to also write a thesis in the third year. However, David will do that next year as he will first go to America and study at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for another semester. According to David, this opportunity is "a nice addition to the regular study programme."
A small-scale study
The fact that the study is small is an advantage for David: "I couldn't see myself sitting in those big lecture halls like in law school. There are about twenty students in the seminars, but in some subjects, many students from other studies attend. For example, there are students from journalism, philosophy, and art and cultural studies in the lectures. As a result, different perspectives come together, and you meet many new people." The fact that American Studies attracts students from different disciplines shows that the programme has a broad orientation. According to David, there is also a lot of freedom in what you want to learn. Of course, a good foundation is needed, but students are given the opportunity to apply their own interests during assignments or writing essays.
A board year at USA Nijmegen Study Association
The small-scale nature of the study ensures that everyone knows each other well and also interacts a lot outside lectures. The USA Nijmegen Study Association plays an active role in this. David explains: "In my first year, the board of the study association was very active. They really encouraged us to become members of the study association, come to activities and maybe even do a board year." David took that encouragement very seriously and is currently the secretary on the board of the study association. But what exactly does a board year at the USA Nijmegen Study Association look like? For David, the emphasis is on activities and involvement: "We really organise a lot. We have formal study-related activities, such as StuCo sessions, during which we provide proper tools to prepare for exams. But we also organise many informal activities, such as drinks and (themed) parties, and we always watch the Superbowl together, for example."
Making the right study choice
Are you in doubt about studying American Studies? If so, according to David, it is important to have broad interests. "You can really like American Studies in its entirety, but you should be especially interested in its cultural, political, and historical aspects." Students should not worry about the entry-level either, as this is built up. David says: "I was used to British English myself, but I learnt an American-English accent so fast. You are primed to speak American English within as little as a month. I was even a bit shocked at how fast I developed."
David wants to emphasise to future students the importance of choosing a study they enjoy. "People often assume that it is important to choose a study that is useful or with which you can potentially earn a lot of money. In the end, that won't make you happy, so above all, choose a direction you really enjoy."
The new Maarten van Rossem
Future prospects with American Studies are diverse. Alumni work in politics, journalism, and education or go on to work for American companies such as Walt Disney, among others. Especially within the latter field, American Studies alumni are in high demand due to their extensive knowledge about the country. Yet there are some incorrect stereotypes. For instance, David is often asked, "What can you do with American Studies? Do you want to become a teacher or the new Maarten van Rossem?" David can laugh at that. He himself would like to go into the foreign affairs side. "I find the direction of diplomacy super interesting. I would love to do something abroad and make a difference for the Netherlands there."