What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
What I like about the Cultural Geography and Tourism Master's is the freedom to choose the courses you want to follow. This way, you can delve deeper into the topics that interests you most and which you would like to work on in the future, after your Master's. Before the Master's, I did the hbo-bachelor Tourism Management in Breda, so my biggest challenge in the Master's was the amount of literature to read, which was less in my bachelor.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
The professors are open to your questions, like to engage in conversations, and are therefore approachable. You also get to know different types of students, especially in the course Urban and Cultural Geography, where you go on a fieldtrip to Berlin. Thus, you have intensive contact with both students and professors. One of my highlights of the Master's!
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
Time goes quickly in the Master's and the workload can therefore feel relatively high. Thus, good planning is important! Because of my hbo background, I had to get used to the amount of literature you have to read, but fortunately, you get used to it quickly!
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am doing my research internship at Bureau BUITEN, a consultancy in the field of economics and environment. It is a really nice agency and I am part of the tourism, recreation and heritage team. Within this team, I work partly on their projects and partly on my thesis. My thesis focuses on the impact of tourism and recreation on residents and how this impact affects the level of resident benefit.
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?
With this Master's, I believe that people can really contribute something in the development of a sustainable living environments, in any field. For me, it means analyzing tourist-recreational developments in order to ultimately achieve a healthy, sustainable balance at a destination.