Why did you choose Radboud University?
After comparing different science programmes at several universities, I chose to study at Radboud due to the curriculum. More specifically, I really liked the flexibility to choose a specialisation in your second year and even the opportunity to follow a minor. I also really liked the campus facilities, for example, the Sports Centre, which offers a wide variety of courses and classes you can follow.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
The first few weeks were like an adventure: many parties, getting acquainted with the city and the people around. However, things got a bit harder when the first exam period came. This is when I realised I was on my own; I had to cook, do groceries, and clean, while also making sure I had enough time to study. It was chaotic at the beginning but it only took some months to get used to it. From the first year, we had some coaching sessions where we could talk about our experiences with lectures and share how the transition had been. Talking to a coach and other students from my group was helpful as it made me realise that a lot of us were feeling and struggling with the same things.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I like that for the first half of the programme, you take many different courses from different areas. This allows you to explore what you like and what you don't. Then, for the second half of the programme you can choose any courses that interest you, which is great. Nevertheless, some courses can be quite tough, especially due to the large amount of studying you need to do. I think the most challenging part has been staying up to date with the content of all courses.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere is really good. Teachers are always willing to help. You can really feel that it is a safe environment to ask any questions you might have and even discuss the topics further.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
I am part of the ABO (Education committee) from BeeVee. We mainly organise study and knowledge related activities for all Biology students.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I like that the city is not too small but also not too big. You can get anywhere by bike and there are quite a lot of nice cozy cafes and parks to visit.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I would like to follow a Master's programme in the field of Pharmacology. It is still unclear whether I will stay in Nijmegen or go to a different city, but I know that I want to dedicate myself to researching new drugs and developing therapies for still incurable diseases.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
I attended the Bachelor's Open Day online since I was in a different country. It was very useful as it gave me an insight into what the Bachelor's in Biology looked like and I was able to ask any questions I had directly via the chat.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Don't pressure yourself too much into choosing the "perfect" study programme for you. If you are not too sure on what you want to do in the future, just go for what you like the most and feels right. Most of the time you will be able to explore different fields during your studies by for example, taking a minor or just taking electives at different faculties.