Why did you decide to study in the Netherlands? And why did you choose Radboud University?
The infrastructure of the country seemed very sustainable to me and two of my high school friends were going to Nijmegen too. At that time, the tuition fee was much lower than any other country, as well as the fact of not having to learn the native language since everyone talks English. In the end, when the wind is not blowing you off your bike and the rain is not soaking your clothes, the country is quite nice!
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
In high school, I did A-levels where the teachers provide you with all the information needed to pass the exam and we practiced exam questions from the previous years to learn the structure of the exam. Studying for exams here was demotivating for me in the beginning because the teachers give you all the information but do not seem to help you achieve a good grade in the exam, which makes sense for it being a university. Making friends and studying together helped me a lot and in the end, you get the hang of the system and know what to expect.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
The Bachelor's programme that I follow (Business Administration with a Business Economic specialisation) is challenging to me because I have never done economics before but the first courses give you a great knowledge base. I like the programme because it covers a lot of different topics within Business Administration which gives you an advantage when you need to make a decision about your career and the direction in which you want to develop. The courses have different passing criteria and because of that, I have learned how to do qualitative and quantitative research and use other softwares that will be incredibly useful in my career.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
During the pandemic, the connection between fellow students worsened but in my experience, the teachers became more understanding and tried their best to teach online and make the lectures engaging.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
Currently, I am looking at the Master's options at Radboud to continue to gain more knowledge about Business Administration.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
Not involved with the study association because my time was already filled with other things, but sometimes I do look at the activities that they organize.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
The city is smaller than what I'm used to but it has a lot to offer! In the winter you can go to cafes and stay cozy inside and when it's warm you can go to the beach with your friends and enjoy the sun. Around the campus, we have a very big forest and a park where you can get your head free of all the worries and a lot of different buildings where you can study!
How were you in touch with Radboud University before you started your studies here? And how did you value this contact with Radboud University?
I heard about Radboud through an email directed towards the Bachelor's studies. But for my Master's programme I joined an online information session and applied to be a Student for a Day.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Before applying look at the curriculum and read about the courses that you will have. If you're choosing between different fields it's not applicable but choosing between the same disciplines you can really see what you are going to get from the programme. As well, chatting with the current students or being a Student for a Day can really show you what life is all about here!