Testimonials
I felt like if not all, most of the students were very enthusiastic about working, and I think it's because students at a master's level are more passionate about what they are learning.
- Previous education
- Earth Systems, University of Malta
- Programme
- Cities, Water and Climate Change
- Country of previous education
- Malta
- Study start date
Adiel Cuschieri is a Master's student Cities, Water and Climate Change.
'I love that the program is management oriented. It's so different to the Spatial Planning education I already have, which was way more technical. My previous education has always been very scientific, whilst this was a more abstract way of understanding the bigger picture in regards to planning. Definitely a fresh and insightful perspective.
We get to have quite a lot of group work during the year, which was a great initiative at getting students to interact, get to know each other, but also great for learning to work in a team. I felt like if not all, most of the students were very enthusiastic about working, and I think it's because students at a master's level are more passionate about what they are learning and tend to be more driven towards the end goal then, say, bachelor students. In regards to the teachers, they are always open to class discussions and encourage us to contact them if we have any questions. Not to mention, they reply to our emails very efficiently.
I found it hard to shift from a more scientific mindset to a more abstract mind-set, such as understanding the role of governance in spatial planning. Once I understood the concept better I was able to understand the perspective we needed to have for the course.
I am currently writing my thesis on Nature Based solutions and their importance in rural areas. I am collecting the data by means of surveys and interviews, and will not be undergoing an internship.
I think, in today's world, a master's degree has become an important academic standard in order to be able to take up more responsibilities at work. I think it opens more doors professionally. This master's was very important to me because it gave me a more social understanding of technical matters. I believe that with a scientific bachelors and a more humanitarian master's, I can see a bigger picture of important aspects in development and sustainability. And I would highly encourage for people to try do the same, because the more we understand the better we can plan. Once I get my master's degree I plan on looking for a managerial role in an environment-related field. I want to work to make the world a better place, and I feel like I have gained more tools to do so through this study.'
As soon as I started this programme, I started to notice how urgent and current the issues are that we treat in our courses.
- Previous education
- BA European Studies - Maastricht University
- Programme
- Cities, Water and Climate Change
- Study start date
- Study end date
Ziggy Birker is a Master's student Cities, Water and Climate Change.
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
The Cities, Water and Climate change specialisation challenges me to critically reflect upon the world surrounding us. As soon as I started this programme, I started to notice how urgent and current the issues are that we treat in our courses. The knowledge we developed is applicable to our daily situations; when we cycle past a ditch or dike, when we notice the greenery beside our roads, when we open the door into our garden or when we enter the train. Everywhere, you can find traces of your field of interest and the relation it has to the environment. I really like the way this study combines environmental issues with the practical sides of life.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
This study is relatively small in the sense of student numbers, which means you know most of your fellow students. Moreover, we know our teachers and feel like they know us as well. Most teachers are very approachable and always open for questions or conversations.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
Most courses come with a groupwork project, which can be fun and is useful for the future, but can also be challenging. It requires a lot of teamwork whereas sometimes I run out of patience and would just prefer to do it alone.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I chose not to do an internship as I my thesis topic is connected to an ongoing project which already offers me accessibility to contacts, data and necessary information. I am exploring the institutional upscaling processes for a certain type of drought innovation.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
Personally, I think it is important to think more long-term when making decisions that influence spatial planning. This study teaches us to bring climate change effects into the debate to design more future-proof solutions in terms of policy. When I graduate, I plan to apply my knowledge in the work field, hopefully on provincial level or within a board of the water authorities, where I can work on a sustainable environment both for humans and other living entities.
In this Master's, one learns to oversee different perspectives of certain spatial problems and situations.
- Previous education
- Pedagogical Sciences (Radboud University)
- Programme
- Cities, Water and Climate Change
- Study start date
- Study end date
Hugo van Bree is a Master's student Cities, Water and Climate Change.
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
I really like the fact that my Master's programme challenges students to work on real-life situations. The courses offer a general theoretical framework, and chain of thoughts, which can be further explored in the group assignments that can have any related real-life situation as topic. This makes the Master's academically challenging and pratically useful.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
The atmosphere in the classrooms and in the Master's overall is very open. Lecturers, especially in the specialisation courses, tend to have open discussions with students in the classroom. In this way, students can share their different perspectives on problems and situations. Next to that, the classes have a lot of different nationalities, which makes the exchange of different perspectives even more valuable.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
At first, I was getting used to English education, but I got used to it very fast. I learned to work with a lot of people from different backgrounds, which required a lot of good communication and making clear agreements.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am not doing an internship at the moment. I decided to invest my time in the co-determination of the university to practice my skills in a (semi-)political environment. My thesis is about circular economy, and in what way policies can contribute to making steps forward in circular economics.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
In this Master's, one learns to oversee different perspectives of certain spatial problems and situations. This is important in order to make sure everyone is seen and heard, when it comes to decision-making. I think this Master's is a very useful programme for that, and it can be of great use for all different advising companies and governing bodies.
Don't hesitate, just make a choice that feels right, and start a study not because of career prospects, but because you're curious to learn more about it.
- Nationality
- Nederlands
- Programme
- Cities, Water and Climate Change
Henk-Jan Kooij is an Assistant Professor at Radboud University.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Henk-Jan Kooij. I teach the course Strategic Energy Planning and Governance in the specialisation Cities, Water, Climate Change of the Master's Spatial Planning. Next to this, I teach the elective Physical Geography in the Bachelor Geography, Planning and Environment, and I coordinate the 2 year educational Master's Geography.
Why did you choose to work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
Spatial planning is a field where many societal and physical stuff comes together. I love to understand why and where cities and landscapes have formed and how we can improve them. I like to combine insights of both the physical and social world to understand the interactions and how we can shape our future landscapes and cities.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
Currently, I'm working on the implications of the energy transition for spatial and urban planning. Together with colleagues, I try to find out how our landscapes and cities change due to the energy transition and how we can work together to develop a just and sustainable energy transition. I contribute to the development of a novel branch of planning, namely strategic energy planning, in which we try to develop new approaches to the planning of spatial developments and energy infrastructures.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
Don't hesitate, just make a choice that feels right, and start a study not because of career prospects, but because you're curious to learn more about it. You never know how the labour market will look like when you're finished with your studies.
What is the best part of working with students?
Students are fun to work with, because they're all individuals with their own fascinating histories and their own endearing peculiarities.