The academic world has gained so much from the influx of international employees and international students in the past decennia, and this has led to an enrichment of the faculty community within FSW as well. That is why our faculty wants to maintain its English programmes where possible. That goal is an encouragement for our non-Dutch students, PhD students, postdocs, and staff members.
The Netherlands has attracted the best scientists and students over the past few years: ambitious, adventurous, inquisitive. Retreating into our own tiny country limits our view, but also our vision. To a certain extent the closed border is the physical equivalent to the digital bubble that many of us are stuck in, often unknowingly. Opening a news site with other political affiliations can help us to de-bubble somewhat. We should do that more often in the physical world as well. There are numerous opportunities. A very effective strategy uses a special tool that has been known for quite some time under the name ‘door’ (also known as ‘Türe’, ‘deur’, ‘dør’, ‘port’, ‘porta’ etc.). My advice: if you have a door like that, don’t keep it closed but open it. Let the outside in. Observe, interact, listen with rapt attention. It is incredibly refreshing; I can recommend it to anyone!
Postscript: This was my final public scribble as vice dean. It was a great job, during which I got to work together with many enthusiastic and dedicated colleagues from our wonderful faculty. I am incredibly thankful. Time to open some new doors now...
