Why study American Studies in Nijmegen?

A challenging and dynamic program that brings together the study of culture, politics, literature, history, media and language

The American Studies specialization within the Bachelor's degree program in English Language and Culture at Radboud University sets itself apart by its interdisciplinary approach  and the breadth of topics that it covers. It offers a rich combination of perspectives for exploring oAmerican society, arts and politics, as well as the English language. It requires students to rise to the challenge of becoming experts in US society and culture and of mastering English at a professional level. At the same time, it demands of students a willingness and ability to alternate registers, frameworks and cognitive methods as they shift from analyzing political history to American English phonetics to literature to media. Along the way, the program combines the transmission of a solid, classic foundation in American Studies, with attention to some of the most exciting current developments in politics, media, literary arts, and linguistic issues whose impact extends far beyond America's border.

Full immersion in English, with a strong focus on language acquisition from day one

The Dutch are consistently ranked among the best (non-native) speakers of English in the world and our program is proud to uphold and strengthen this tradition. If you choose to study American Studies at Radboud University, you will learn to speak and write English at a high professional level. The first-year curriculum places a strong focus on building a solid foundation for speaking and writing English fluently and eloquently. In subsequent years, the attention to meeting demanding standards of spoken and written English is fluency continuously refined and reinforced. Furthermore, you will study alongside both Dutch and international students, giving you the opportunity to speak English an and outside the classroom. You will soon discover that you are learning not only from your lecturers, but also from your peers!

A dynamic international faculty who are leading scholars in the field of American Studies

Our study program is taught by dedicated and inspiring lecturers who are leading scholars in the field of American Studies. They incorporate current research conducted in the field of American Studies in their teaching, making sure that our students are up-to-date on contemporary developments and are able to critically analyze these developments, for instance in the fields of US Politics and International Relations, Popular Culture, and African-American History and Literature.

A program and faculty geared specifically to the challenge of getting to know the United States from an international perspective

Beginning with New Amsterdam – as this became New York – the Netherlands has exceptionally strong economic, cultural, political and historical ties to the United States that go back to before the country’s founding. The effect of this ‘close friendship at a distance’ has been to make the Netherlands particularly suited as a country from which to study the United States. On the one hand, the long history of friendship, exchange and alliance means a close familiarity. On the other hand, distance has meant both a capacity for engaging the US as a critical outsider and for creating a program of study in American Studies that does not assume prior knowledge in order to ensure success.

The opportunity to study abroad (and go on our study trip to the US)

Radboud University offers you the exciting opportunity to study abroad for a semester as part of your Bachelor's program. During the first two years of your Bachelor's program, you learn about US society and culture through in-depth academic study. During your semester abroad (should you choose to go) you will experience North America directly, in all its lively immediacy, while choosing from a range of universities in the US and extending into Canada: everything from small colleges in beautiful Appalachia and upstate New York, to urban universities in New Orleans, Boston, Ottawa (Canada) and beyond, to universities in the American West and Berkeley, California. Exchanges are also available to universities in the UK and in Europe with academic programs in or related to American Studies.

A personal, small-scale learning experience

Radboud University is known for its personal approach to learning and education. You will experience this first-hand, both in and outside the classroom. The small-scale teaching at the Faculty of Arts means that your lecturers know you personally and that you benefit from close interaction with academic staff and a tight-knit learning community. Throughout your studies, you will also be supported by both a staff mentor and a student advisor.
If you’re an international Bachelor's student, you will have the chance to join the so-called "buddy program" at the beginning of your first year. You will be matched with a senior student, who will guide you through your first semester at Radboud University, help you find your way around campus and get accustomed to Dutch culture and student life. Read more about the buddy program.

A university setting that offers a centralized campus and lively cultural activities close to both nature and the beautiful historic city of Nijmegen

Radboud University offers a lively, campus-style setting with a strong sense of community. The medieval center of Nijmegen (with origins dating back to the Romans) is a ten-minute bike ride away, across the street from our department is the Sports Centre with dozens of student sports teams, even as the surrounding countryside is filled with possibilities for biking, hiking, jogging and local pancakes. Our active study association U.S.A. organizes activities on campus, in the city and far beyond. And all this at a university that has been among the top scorers in the rankings of traditional, general universities in the Netherlands by the renowned Dutch university guide Keuzegids Universititeiten over the past decade.