Why did you decide to study in the Netherlands? And why did you choose Radboud University?
I chose the Netherlands because it is renowned for quality education and most of the research universities rank highly in numerous ranking tables. Moreover, there are really a lot of programmes offered in English which was a crucial point for me and which constitutes a significant difference compared to Germany.
Radboud caught my attention with their new PPS programme.
I was doubtful about my initial interest in the programme since I knew there were a couple of other fields of study that also interested me. In the end, having studied all course information I could gather, I decided it was a perfect fit for me. The holistic approach of the study and the opportunity to choose the modules I find most interesting made my decision easy. I found a variety of comparable programmes, but this particular one offers a one-of-its-kind approach to political study.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
PPS is a programme that combines philosophy and contemporary debates. One of PPS´s biggest strengths is that it teaches how current societal problems are rooted in history and the history of thought.
What I like most about PPS is that it is an interdisciplinary subject. For instance, when we use British philosopher J.S.Mill as an example, we can see that philosophy is not just philosophy. He was an ethicist, political theorist and an early economist. Similarly, in PPS we deal with political theory, moral philosophy, history, science and much more.
A challenge is the amount of literature that needs to be read and the type of texts one has to cope with. Especially at the beginning, philosophical jargon can appear to you as huge burden. While Plato is comparably easy to read, Hannah Arendt or others may actually appear Greek to you.
Just remember: the first step is always the hardest. Do not get discouraged because you are struggling to understand a text. This is totally normal. Besides, you will soon come to understand that your comprehension will increase the more experienced you get in dealing with technical philosophical texts. And you are, of course, not left alone with your struggles.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
There are many activities set up within the PPS community, but also a lot is organized by the faculty. This is a great way to get to know new people and to form new bonds. The students are very open-minded and supportive. I cannot remember this kind of common support from my high school experience.
The same is applicable to the teachers. Whenever you need support, you can always contact them, and they will most likely be glad to help you out. Most of my professors are very informal and know your name which is probably a by-product of the small classrooms.
In my study, we are approximately 40 students. Sometimes, we have stimulating or clarifying debates in class which would not be possible in a lecture hall of 1000+ students. I would say that the small-scale educational approach is a positive-sum-game for everyone involved.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme?
I am part of the study association for political science. There are numerous interesting study associations at Radboud. I would recommend you to be open-minded about your choice as there might be several associations that fit your profile. Considering associations outside the scope of your studies allows you to interact with students from other fields, to broaden your horizon and see beyond the borders of your programme. For instance, I was very interested in the associations from political science, economics and law. Study associations organize diverse events such as guest lectures, field trips, debates and much more. It is definitely to your advantage to get involved!
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 first got in touch with a student from the faculty. She explained what it is like to be a student at Radboud, but she could not really tell me about my study programme.
By the time I applied, there wasn´t a first- or second-year student to tell me about their experience. Since it was the first year of PPS, there were a couple of issues that were unclear to me. The website was still under construction, the curriculum and course descriptions were not published yet and there was no place I could find answers to my questions.
As a consequence, I decided to contact the programme coordinator to get more clarity. Arjen was very supportive and kept me up-to-date with all relevant developments about the programme. He was able to answer all the questions I had which was very important for me in making my decision.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Choose what is interesting to you. I know people who start yawning when I say “political philosophy”. These people are clearly not the right fit for PPS. I think it is more important that you find something that fits your profile, rather than having a degree as a job-ticket. Do not think about what you believe will look good for someone else, think about what looks good in your own eyes.
Choosing a study programme is not an easy choice and it is a decision that may have a significant influence on your life. There are many variables involved and I know how hard it is, so I cannot provide a simple formula. However, I would say that there are many advantages in choosing something that you are inherently curious about.
Another (self-evident) piece of advice is that being informed beforehand can save you a lot of time. Try to gather as much information as possible and base your decision on all the input you have received. Talk to students, go to an open day, be a student for a day to get a clear impression of what you are signing up for.
What is the moral here? Reflect on yourself and get informed!