Students' Blogs
A large cohort of our third-year Liberal Arts and Sciences students will spend an exchange semester at one of Tilburg University's renowned partner universities. Most of them will leave in July 2011 and return to the Netherlands in January 2012.
Curious to hear about their experiences, as they happen? On the 15th of each month, our Liberal Arts and Sciences students will update their blogs, detailing their latest adventures and travels, so stay tuned!
Jule Bellingröhr (German)
Whereabouts:
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Motivation:
Choosing from a world map full of universities, intriguing countries and exotic cultures, what a luxury problem! I hope to realize that even more when I am finally in South Africa. A choice which actually came quite natural: Already at the end of the first Liberal Arts year I discovered that South Africa would give me the opportunity to deepen my insight in conflict resolution as well as observe approaches of reconciliation. Besides the appealing courses, I am simply curious to live in a society which is called the rainbow nation for a reason, engage in community work in the local townships and meet inspiring people on my way through the South of Africa. I hope to grow as a person and get a grasp of what life is like in the post-Apartheid South Africa.
Suze Govers (Dutch)
Whereabouts:
Freie Universität Berlin
Motivation:
The reasons to choose Berlin as my exchange destination are many. I am convinced that Germany has to offer a lot from a cultural perspective; it is a country with a highly intriguing history, of which the footprints are still very visible in current times, and a significant modern and lively capital: Berlin. Furthermore, there are many countries I would like to visit while traveling, but Berlin is one of those cities I would like to experience as being a student. Finally, the university offers me courses that I cannot follow in Tilburg but do add value to my curriculum.
Anne-Fleur Dijkstra (Dutch)
Whereabouts:
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Motivation:
Singapore is the country where Asian culture seems to meet western culture, but what would it be like to live and study there? Studying at Nanyang Technological University will allow me to find out; also, I will explore the – for me relatively new – field of Sociology. Not only the country itself, but also the opportunity to travel to surrounding countries is part of my motivation to spend my exchange semester in Singapore.
Luuk Eliens (Dutch)
Whereabouts:
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain
Motivation:
During my short 21 year old life, I have always had the urge for adventure. I have been to Australia, New-Zealand, Japan and Nepal before and to study abroad I had a few criteria. I wanted to experience a completely different culture, I wanted nice weather, I wanted a good university and I wanted it to be close to mountains as I love outdoor sports such as cycling, mountain climbing and finally, I wanted to learn another language. I found all the above in Madrid. I am hoping for a half year full of new experiences, nice people, good food and probably some good parties :).
Simon van der Weele (Dutch)
Whereabouts:
International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
Motivation:
Having spent most of my teenage life in Tilburg, I feel that I am definitely ready now for the big city experience. Tokyo surely fits the bill - it's huge, very dynamic and bursting with activity. In addition, I am drawn to Japan because of its role in the world economy, its beautiful nature and its unique culture, so different from my own.
Pierre-Hendrik Kruijer (French-Dutch)
Whereabouts:
International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
Motivation:
Japan attracts me because it is a country at the centre of the world's economic and cultural stage, and nonetheless manages to stay true to its own unique culture and identity.
Students’ Blogs 2010-2011
Last year’s third-year Liberal Arts and Sciences students went on exchange at one of Tilburg University's renowned partner universities from July 2010 until January 2011.
Curious to read about their experiences? Have a look at their blogs!
Henk Bovekerk (Dutch)
Whereabouts:
Venice International University, Venice
Motivation:
Why Venice? In the words of Louis Armstrong: if you have to ask, you'll never know. All jazz-talk aside, the academic program at VIU is challenging, the students are diverse, interdisciplinary and international, and the city is not only historically interesting, but artistically and academically inspiring. At VIU I hope to find like-minded people, inspiring professors and some additional self-knowledge. I have a feeling that I will.
Jasmin Jurtan (German)
Whereabouts:
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Motivation:
I wanted to go to Australia to experience something completely new. The Liberal Arts and Science studies offers a great perspective on Europe, but since I grew up in China, I wanted to go far away again. I think the country has a lot to offer and I am looking forward to discovering more about Aussie life. La Trobe University is very large and in comparison to UvT, almost a little city.
Monika Radwanska (Polish)
Whereabouts:
Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Motivation:
For me, going some place new for a long period feels like starting a new life. Going abroad gives you the opportunity to experience something new, make friends with new people, improve your language skills - and most of all, challenge and develop yourself. I decided to go to Mexico because I think it is a place with an amazing culture and traditions, and it's famous for its hospitality. Mexico is also an extremely interesting place to spend an exchange because it is so very different from our own European civilization.
Global / English