Testimonials
I am happy with this hands-on approach, because not only it allows us to gain valuable practical experience in addition to academic knowledge and skills, it also helps to get an idea of the type of job you could get after graduating.
- Programme
- Tourism and Culture
At the moment that I’m writing this we have just started the second semester of the Master’s programme. So far I really enjoy the programme and it matches my expectations. Honestly I did not think I would find a Master’s that would fit my interests so well that I’d like every aspect of it, but so far this is the case with Tourism and Culture. We first immersed ourselves in the field of tourism by discussing its history, relevant theories, current trends and challenges, and now we get to connect theory with practice by doing field work. I am happy with this hands-on approach, because not only it allows us to gain valuable practical experience in addition to academic knowledge and skills, it also helps to get an idea of the type of job you could get after graduating. Personally I find this a real added value compared with other programmes and I believe it makes this Master’s quite unique.
Broaden your horizon and do what feels right. I'm sure you'll end up right on your feet eventually anyway!
- Previous education
- BA English Language and Culture (RU Nijmegen), MA Transatlantic Studies: History, Culture and Politics (RU Nijmegen)
- Programme
- Tourism and Culture
After finishing the Master’s programme of North American Studies, Kim wanted to learn more. That’s why she also applied for the Master’s Tourism and Culture. “Both Master's programmes really sparked my interest in internationalisation, and the importance of trying to understand the significance of culture and cultural differences, as well as to look at issues from different perspectives, and to be aware of your own position when doing so.”
Kim enjoyed the classes, but she also encountered some challenges. Writing her first Master's thesis was quite challenging at first. “Even though by then I had written many essays, papers and a Bachelor's thesis, I had never before written anything of the scope of a Master's thesis. But the programme and everyone involved in it is there to help you, and you'll be amazed at what you'll be able to achieve if you push through!”
She is currently working as Coordinator International Mobility Partnerships at Radboud University's Student Life and International Mobility. “My job mostly consists of coordinating the exchange agreements with the partner universities outside of the European Union." She finds this very important. “I studied abroad in Albany, New York, myself, which was a very important experience for my own personal and academic development, as well as for my understanding of culture(s). I am happy that me and my colleagues get to help our students in having such an experience for themselves as well.”
As a final piece of advice, Kim mentions: “Broaden your horizon and do what feels right. I'm sure you'll end upright on your feet eventually anyway!”
My thesis is about the Instagram posts by museums visitors and what they suggest about their engagement with the museums' objects and exhibitions.
- Previous education
- BA in Archaeology and History of Art in the University of Crete
- Programme
- Tourism and Culture
- Country of previous education
- Greece
- Study start date
- Study end date
What do you like about the programme and why?
What I really enjoy about the programme is that we are taught about various different topics and theories. There are also some more practical courses and not only theoretical ones. For example in the second semester we are doing a mini internship as part of the programme. The programme is very different from my previous education and as a result everything we study in class is new to me. I was also not used to having intermediate assignments during the semester, but I found that I much prefer that than having only an exam at the end of the semester.
Besides, I also like the informal atmosphere in the classroom, where everyone feels comfortable to share their thoughts. The professors are very approachable and eager to help you, something that I appreciate a lot.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s?
The programme is quite demanding and requires a lot of individual study, but other than that I haven't had any obstacles.
What is your thesis about?
I am currently working on my thesis, which examines the Instagram posts by museums visitors and what they suggest about their engagement with the museums' objects and exhibitions, a topic I find very interesting.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree?
As tourism is one of the biggest industries worldwide, I think it's important that professionals working in the field should be educated about it, particularly about topics such as colonialism, sustainability and the ethics of tourism. After the end of the Master's my goal is to work in the museum sector here in the Netherlands.
You are selling a positive product that makes people happy, which makes going to the office and doing the job so easy and fun.
- Previous education
- International Business Communication at Radboud University
- Programme
- Tourism and Culture
- Study end date
What knowledge and skills did you learn during your Master’s that are really useful to you now?
I learned even more to think critically and to evaluate the use of words and how they can be interpreted by different groups of people. I always specifically think of the word "authentic" and how it is used in marketing tourism products and how it affects the way these products are perceived and experienced by various stakeholders.
What did you find most challenging in your Master’s?
Personally, I didn't realize beforehand that museums would be such a big part of the programme. I was more interested in the travel part of the Master's, so I needed to get used to that.
Could you say a little about the job you do now ?
I am a content marketeer for a travel agency. I write a lot of texts for the websites, manage the social media accounts, create newsletters and organize events. It is an international company and I love that I get to meet so many people from different countries and cultures. The tourism industry is ever changing which makes it really interesting. You are contributing to an unforgettable experience for the customer. You are selling a positive product that makes people happy, which makes going to the office and doing the job so easy and fun.
Do you have any tips/suggestions for prospective students?
Take into account that there are no exams at all, only a lot of essays that you'll need to write. So you'll have to decide for yourself if that's something positive or negative. Also, stay on top of all the writing assignments that need to be completed for the portfolios, so you don't have to do everything at the last minute. And be open to other branches within the industry that you hadn't thought about before.
The field of tourism is endless and has a lot of hidden gems itself, shocking and beautiful.
- Previous education
- Arts & Culture (Maastricht University)
- Programme
- Tourism and Culture
- Study end date
Where do you work now and what does your job entail?
I work at Maastricht University at the Center for European Studies. I am a student affairs & international relations officer. In this role, I guide students before, during and after their study abroad programme with CES and I maintain relations with our partner universities in the US, Australia and Japan. I prepare university-specific programmes as well as semester programmes and I lead student groups on their study trips in Europe.
Why did you choose to work in this field?
It combines my passion for tourism (travel) and self-development. This job can be seen as a perfect balance between office work, student contact and travel. Universities are also really good employers and a place for international/cross-cultural work.
What did you learn during your studies that you now use in your work?
Besides overall skills in writing, analysing and experience of the ins & outs of university set-ups, I connect knowledge from my Master's on a daily basis to my work. I am aware of students' motivations for travel and how this influences their behaviour. I am aware of the appeal of the landmarks and mass tourism places and I can efficiently inform my students about their travels. Mostly I use my own research in my Master's thesis about the influence of travel on self-developments and I can observe first-hand how my students develop themselves while being abroad.
How did you experience this programme at Radboud University?
I want to share that I was quite sad to fulfil my Master in Tourism & Culture during COVID19. I don't think I got everything out of my studies and the university because of the limitation of education online. However, the content of the courses and the enthusiasm of the professors still managed to feed my endless passion for the topics and made this study a great success. I learned so much about my own behaviour as a tourist as well as tourism in the world. The field of tourism is endless and has a lot of hidden gems itself, shocking and beautiful. If you have any affinity with the world and "travel", this study will speak to you.
What would you recommend to future students when they go to choose a study?
I would recommend to have a look at the job market first. Talk to people in the field, envision where you see yourself work, check out a career convention etc. And then also realise that there are so so so many different jobs in the world for which 90% of them are taught at work and not at university. I did not even know a job like mine existed until I stumbled upon it. Find a study that excites you to know more and a job that feeds your interests.