Testimonials

Programme

Theology 1 jr

Country of previous education

South Africa

Anna Gouws moved from South Africa to the Netherlands to study Theology at Radboud University. Anna is following the one year master’s programme in Theology and she specialises in Biblical Exegesis

“I first became interested in studying Theology whilst doing mission work in Southern Africa. Experiencing that there are many people for whom Bible translations in their own language are not available opened my eyes to the fact that access to biblical texts is not common for everyone. With the aim in mind to become a translator myself, I decided to study theology. Studying theology made it possible for me to learn biblical languages, but it also enabled me to obtain a wider knowledge of Christianity in general.”

After finishing her Bachelor's in South Africa with honours in Semitic languages, Anna decided to look for opportunities to enrol in a master’s programme that would suit her ambitions. Because of the opportunity to focus on exegesis, as well as advice from former supervisors Anna decided to come to Radboud University.

“So far my stay here in Nijmegen has been a positive experience. I enjoy the rich history of the Netherlands and the greenness of the city. I was able to adapt to the university environment quickly, and people are very friendly here.”

“My classes in Old testament exegesis definitely stand out as the most challenging. I am pushed to higher levels of academic reading and to deepen my research skills, which is great.”

“In the end, I hope to use the master’s programme in exegesis to gain the skills to become a translator myself. I very much enjoy studying Theology because it fits  my academic-minded character. But I hope that in the end, I can use theology for something bigger than myself!”

Previous education

Theology at Australian Catholic University

Programme

Theology 1 jr

Country of previous education

Australia

Kade Shean moved from Australia to Nijmegen to study Theology at Radboud University. Having just completed a Master’s thesis in Theology at Australian Catholic University, Kade has chosen to enrol in the one-year Master’s programme. His area of specialisation is Systematic Theology.

“When I heard I was accepted into the Theology program in Nijmegen, I was really excited. My supervisors in Australia were the ones that advised me to look into studying abroad and I’m glad that they pointed me in the direction of Radboud. For me, being at Radboud means having an opportunity to study Theology in an international context. This gives me the experience that I need to deepen my research skills and to engage with a variety of theological perspectives.”

The Dutch theological heritage

“One of the great benefits to living here in Nijmegen is the opportunity to experience the rich cultural and theological heritage that the Netherlands possess. I would love to spend my time here exploring this heritage. Currently, I am focusing on the work of Edward Schillebeeckx. He has such close ties with this place that I feel as though I can appreciate his work in an entirely new light just by being here.”

Challenging and rewarding

“So far, my classes have been challenging. However, I’ve never really felt like it’s a challenge that I couldn’t come to grips with. Part of this is because of the seminar format of our classes, as it allows us to ask questions and really develop an understanding of the material. We’re dealing with some difficult subjects, but everyone engaging with the topic from their own perspectives really helps to build an appreciation for the course content. So it’s a challenge, yes, but the environment really helps to help overcome these challenges.“

One year or three years?

“At Radboud, there is the choice between a one year and a three-year master’s programme. The one-year offer has allowed me to move over here when I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. However, the three-year programme has a full year of focusing on strengthening research skills. So far I am keeping the option of staying for longer open."

Programme

Theology 1 yr

Country of previous education

Canada

Jon Jacob moved from Canada to the Netherlands to study the one-year Master's programme in Church History.

"My thoughts were that I couldn’t go because it was too expensive, or that they wouldn’t let me focus on what I wanted to. Yet I found that the cost for international students was the same as European students, so I was intrigued.

If someone had asked me what my plans were for university the year prior to me coming to Radboud, my answer would have been that I was doing a teaching degree at the University of PEI, in Canada. I never would have imagined that I’d be doing a master’s degree in Nijmegen, yet that is what I ended up doing. At the end of the first semester of my last year of my bachelors degree, the prof for my Christian history course sent me an email. This email was an advertisement for the Master of Theology program at Radboud University. When I went to look it over, my thoughts were that I couldn’t go because it was too expensive, or that they wouldn’t let me focus on what I wanted to. Yet I found that the cost for international students was the same as European students, so I was intrigued.

Following that, I spoke with my prof about it, before sending an email to find out more about the program. It turned out that I could indeed study what I wanted, which was Celtic and Anglo-Saxon missionaries in the Church History program. I then proceeded to apply, and was then accepted into the program. Around the same time I was accepted, some things changed and I was unable to do the teaching degree anymore. With that settled, I went about finishing up my bachelor's degree, and came to Radboud to do my master’s.

From the start it has seemed as if God wanted me to take this program, just the way He has made everything work out. From my prof receiving an email that she didn’t know why it was sent to her, to something not working so I wasn’t able to do the teaching degree, to the program being the right cost and being able to offer the exact program I wanted. Everything has fallen into place for me to go. I don’t know what I’m going to do after I graduate, yet, but I know God has a plan, and that He’ll make it known at the right time."

Programme

Theology 1 jr

Country of previous education

USA

Matthew Tracy moved from the US to the Netherlands to follow the three year master’s programme in Theology at Radboud University. His specialisation is Systematic Theology.

“I choose to study Theology because I desire a deeper connection to my faith. I want to know the history of Christianity – who influenced and had impact on what I think today. I want to know what its boundaries are – what it is and what it is not. And I want to know that my faith can stand up to difficult questions. Studying Theology anchors me to a history that is both beautiful and difficult, allows me to boldly study the world around me, and gives meaning to my questions.”

Theology for explorers

“Theology in Nijmegen seems like a subject for explorers. What I mean is this: Theology here is a subject to be examined and questioned rather than simply accepted and swallowed without thought. The teachers not only explore the subject alongside their students, they encourage the students to ask questions, view the subject from new angles, and come to their own conclusions. Sometimes this can be disorienting, but it has been a great experience to dive deeply into the subject of Theology without fear. I may not always find some new, worthwhile line of thought, but I do get to ask questions and explore to my heart’s content.”

Changing perspective

“I would say that any student looking to broaden their horizons or get out of their comfort zone ought to consider a Master’s of Theology at Radboud University. Their tagline is “Change Perspective” for a reason – they really do want to investigate new thoughts and ideas on every level. The Faculty of Theology are wonderful about giving students space to work on their own ideas, facilitate growth via questions and exploration, and walking them through such processes. For me, this has meant looking into brand new ideas and thinkers in the field of theology. So much of what I have learned here I never would have experienced back in the US.”

The benefits of being an international student

“I moved to the Netherlands because I wanted a new, exciting experience without being overwhelmed by cultural differences. So far, I have had exactly that! It seems as if every single day is a new adventure and possibility. There are always new areas to explore, new sights to see, and of course, new foods to try.  At the same time, the whole experience is not too much. I can make sense of the world around me, even if I cannot speak the language well. The Dutch are friendly and willing to help, as long as you make an effort yourself. They speak English very well, which made the move much easier. Also, biking is incredibly easy – I save money and can get a little extra exercise!”

“By being a student in an international context I have learned to find my way in new situations. As such, I have quickly learned to find my way even when I feel out of my element. As it turns out, this has been great for my education since it seems the best learning occurs during these moments of uncertainty.”

Previous education

are Bachelors of Humanities (Delhi University) Master of Divinity (SAIACS, Bangalore) Master of Theology (SAIACS, Bangalore).

Programme

Theology 1 yr

Country of previous education

Indian

Nividi Kevichusa is following the Master's programme Systematic Theology at the Radboud University. 

Why Theology?

I've been in Christian Youth ministry for the last ten years and in Seminary training for another five years, from cities like New Delhi in India to Chiang Mai in Thailand to my hometown in Nagaland, India. For me, the combination of being able to pursue theological academic training and integrate that in creative ways of working among teenagers and young adults is an interesting one.  One can find Biblical themes and meaning in a Green Day song, or a High School Musical, and I love this combination of the arts, literature or politics in the secular and pursing theological doctrinal study. The realm of the praxis and theory is something which I will hope to seek for the rest of my life. Learning is a lifelong process, we never stop learning, and we never stop working.

Why The Netherlands?

I am interested in Abraham Kuyper's theology and hope that I will be able to learn Dutch as well and be able to read his writings someday, without always reading the translated versions.

Why Nijmegen?

I visited here in the winter of 2018 and loved the historic city. I am from a small town, from a small state in the borders of India, and any other bigger city or country would have overwhelmed me, but Nijmegen is perfect. I love the city vibes here so much, and it resonates with the logo of the city, "old city, young vibes."  Also, the fact that I got admitted at RU and got scholarship made a huge difference.  And Radboud had the perfect academic program which resonated in my area of interest, so that was a huge boost as well. A Trinitarian combination I should say, the city, the scholarship and the program.

Previous education

Uludağ University Theology Faculty

Programme

Theology 1 yr

Country of previous education

Turkish

Student Dilek Şahin follows the one-year master's program Theology (practical theology).

"What I love about my department is that it addresses the side of religion that can be associated with living people. In this context, I like practical theology because it has practical goals.

After studying Islamic theology, this program made me more aware of the reflection of religion in people. This field is actually like the intersection cluster of the field of theology and the social sciences, so the necessity to learn social science research techniques in addition to theology knowledge was probably the most challenging but also developing side.
Unfortunately, due to the corona conditions, I had  the possibility to do only one lesson offline. During this lesson, it has definitely been advantageous that we have the opportunity to have very open discussion with the student and the teacher, and they had an impact on the final assignments with their evaluations and contributions. There were times when I could feel this side even in online education.

I am eager to work with religious organizations in Turkey in my master thesis. It is a fact that a master's program has become essential for finding a good job. Besides, having a deeper knowledge in an area I am curious about is what motivates me the most.
I want to start a doctorate program in this field as soon as I finish my master's degree.
In fact, why I chose Radboud was really a coincidence at first, but it was a very conscious choice afterwards. While continuing education in Turkey, I decided that I wanted to come to Europe with the Erasmus student exchange program.
The best school our school had an agreement with was Radboud University. Therefore, I did not research much about its academic degree related to my field and I came for Erasmus. This was a tremendously difficult but developing process for me, and then I realized I wanted to be here more seriously.
I applied for the practical theology master program at Radboud.

Nijmegen is a tiny, old city that has preserved its Dutch identity, in touch with nature, to be included in the list of even the greenest cities in Europe. Actually, although it is small, going every day to a place I haven't gone before on my bike and being rewarded with wonderful views keeps my excitement about this city alive. 

The education given by Radboud will make you feel that the faculty of theology is internationally respected and that it is a school that includes many valuable academicians."

Previous education

St. Mary’s University, Twickenham

Programme

Theology 1 yr

Country of previous education

British

Student Candy Paasche follows the one-year master's program Theology (christian spirituality).

What do you like about the specialisation and why? How has it challenged you?

I am really enjoying all of my classes so far. I am specializing in MA Christian Spirituality and it so rewarding. My lecturers care so much about the students, that they are always there to help me whenever I need it. I like that I have a balance of independence and yet I can also seek out guidance when I need it. I feel that is how a Master’s student should approach their studies. What took me by surprise and pretty much challenged me in every way were the methods of learning. Most notably the class presentations. It was the discussions afterwards with the rest of my peers that I initially found to be quite intimidating and challenging. I think it’s because it was all new to me as my previous university in the UK never included this type of learning. For me there was not any major difficulties that I have experienced as of yet, I just feel that you need to come in with a positive attitude in all things you do and simply be willing to learn. That is what helps!

What do you think about the atmosphere in class?

The atmosphere in the class is definitely a ‘ready to learn’ attitude. I feel that there is always a sense of professionalism and since you can always tell how engaged the rest of the students are and how hungry they are to learn- you do not want to be left behind and push yourself to contribute in any ways necessary. Other than that, I feel that I am always free to say what I think, whether it be wrong or right. There are no judgments. Everyone is learning from each other.

What do you find most challenging in your Master’s specialisation? 

Yes, absolutely! As stated before, the methods of learning were initially quite challenging for me. The class presentations themselves were not the difficult part, it was the class discussion afterwards that sometimes used to throw me off balance. In the UK we only ever done our presentations, but we never had a type of seminar approach after with questions and answers. Thus, when it came to that part, I was always weary. It could be a form of fear incase your thoughts and answers weren’t good enough, or if you came up with a ‘silly’ answer. Its that fear of judgement that I have learnt is all in my head and the purpose of being here at Radboud or at any university for that matter is to learn. Besides, the lecturers and your peers are always there to help you understand, which is wonderful. I never feel left behind.

What is your thesis about?

My thesis is based on Mariology. To summarize, I shall be investigating the ways in which three female characters from Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ amalgamate the traditional and contrasting feminine archetypes. It is mixture of literature and Christian Spirituality and I am very excited to be continuing this venture from my Bachelor thesis. It’s (hopefully) going to be bigger and better!

Why do you think is it important that that there are people out there with this degree?

It is certainly very important that there are people out with this degree for many reasons. The most prominent one is the fact that I have noticed a decline in the interest in pursuing a Theology MA. It is does not cater to the mainstream anymore. It could be a sign of the times, that most individuals in Western society have no passion nor interest for religious or philosophical matters. It is very disheartening. There needs to be a revival in Theology. It’s people like you and me who have this degree that can educate others that have not heard of it before- and there are plenty. I tend to get ‘Huh? Theology, what’s that?’ and now its time to tell them what they have been missing.

What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?

I am still very young, and I definitely have a few avenues that I would love to pursue. All in all, they are currently in God’s hands.

Why did you choose Nijmegen and Radboud University?

I choose Radboud University because of its wonderful theology department as well as its Catholic background. I could not see myself going to any random university in the world that did not have a well-received theology faculty and of course my specialization was offered at Radboud, so it made sense to study here. I choose Nijmegen because of its historical and eco-friendly richness. It is the oldest city in the Netherlands and the second to be recognized as such in Roman times- it is over 2,000 years old. How can you not want to study here? I’m a lover of history and sustainability - this appealed to me a great deal.

What do you like about Nijmegen?

My goodness, I could talk about Nijmegen all day to my friends back home in the UK. They will be talking about visiting other major cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, but I always say that Nijmegen is my little best kept secret when I’m in the Netherlands. During the summer it is the most beautiful place to be. Everyone is lively, talkative and friendly. The beach was also a surprise to me. I like to go there and hang out with my friends to drink some cool drinks, swim and relax. Just take in all of the summer vibes and joy. Nijmegen is simply AMAZING! I am thankful to God that I am here.

Why would you recommend studying Theology at Radboud University?

It is a wonderful community, that really wants to see their students grow and flourish into great citizens of the world. I feel so at home at Radboud. People are very friendly and really dedicated to their studies. It kind of rubs off on you and then you start to want to become the best version of yourself, because you see that others really strive for their best. So far, I feel as though I am becoming the best version of myself here and I am forever feeling grateful and blessed!

Programme

Theology 1 yr

Country of previous education

United States of America

Timothy is a student of the 1 year programme Theology, specialization Christian Spirituality.

Timothy Jurgensen shares his experiences as a master's student of the specialisation Christian Spirituality part of the 1-year master of Theology at Radboud University.