For Dominique, the decision to pursue an international master’s degree didn’t come entirely out of the blue. During her bachelor’s program, she spent a semester studying at Seoul National University in South Korea. There, her interest in international relations grew, and she discovered how valuable it is to examine a subject from different perspectives.
“I noticed during my bachelor’s program that many courses still have a fairly Western European perspective. It’s precisely by studying European politics in Central and Eastern Europe that you gain exposure to different cultural perspectives.” The European Politics and Society program was a natural fit. The master’s program combines sociology, politics, and history, among other disciplines. For Dominique, it was a logical next step after her broad-based bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
In addition, the program aligns with her interest in an international career, for example at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the United Nations, or another international organization.“If you’re not 100 percent sure which niche you want to pursue after your bachelor’s, a broad, interdisciplinary master’s program like this is a great option. You still have many paths to choose from and can further specialize during the program.”
One master’s program, multiple universities
What makes the Erasmus Mundus program unique is that students switch universities several times during the program. Dominique started in Prague along with her entire cohort. After one semester, about half of the students moved to Kraków, while others went to Leiden. For the second year, the group spread out further across Prague, Kraków, Barcelona, and Leiden, where she is currently completing her final year of study. If all goes well, she hopes to finish her master’s degree with an internship abroad at a Dutch embassy.
Changing universities so often gave her more than just different cities on her résumé. Dominique noticed clear differences in academic culture, for example, she explains: “In Central and Eastern Europe, interactions with professors are more formal than in the Netherlands. At the same time, the way academic performance is viewed also differs. In the Netherlands, we’re very focused on passing all courses and getting good grades. Elsewhere, I noticed that sometimes the focus is more on the essence: what should you take away from a course and what have you actually learned? I’m not saying one approach is better than the other, but I did like that different approach.”
An international network and friends who are like family
For Dominique, the added value lies beyond the lecture hall. Through her master’s program, she attended conferences on international security, organized a visit to the Dutch embassy in the Czech Republic, and worked as a reporter during the Forum 2000 conference in Prague. There, among other things, she covered a panel featuring Nobel Prize laureates.
“Those are opportunities you don’t just get. An international master’s program like this gives you connections in different countries and opportunities to gain professional experience while you’re still studying.” That network also grows quickly on a personal level. After all, international students are all starting over in an unfamiliar city. “That means you have to rely on each other. Friends abroad quickly become family.”
An international master’s program requires preparation
On the other hand, an international master’s program can be more demanding, both financially and logistically. To cover tuition, she uses her savings, receives a small portion of the tuition from her parents, works when she’s back in the Netherlands, and takes out a loan. She may also receive an Erasmus+ grant for one semester.
Housing also varies greatly depending on the destination. In Prague, the university easily arranged an affordable room in a student housing complex. In Kraków, she and a fellow student found rooms in an international student house. Her advice, therefore, is to thoroughly research the financial feasibility in advance.“It just costs money. You have to be sure you can afford it. There are various options, but you really need to look into them.”
‘A freedom you won’t easily experience again’
For Dominique, her search for an international master’s program began, remarkably enough, quite by chance. She came across Erasmus Mundus online and used LinkedIn to find Dutch students who were already enrolled in the program. Now the tables have turned, and she’s the one answering questions from new students.
Her previous semester in South Korea had already taught her that she could easily navigate a completely new environment. “If I can move to the other side of the world and build a good life there, then I can do the same in Central Europe.”
For undergraduate students considering a master’s program abroad, her advice is clear: look beyond just the name of a university or destination.
Claim your free ticket now and start exploring your master’s options!. Visit the Master’s Fair on November 27 and 28 at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. There, you can talk with various educational institutions and counseling organizations to help you choose the next step that’s right for you.