Students Daan and Finn continued their studies abroad thanks to a VSBfonds scholarship
There are several possibilities to study abroad. With the VSBfonds Scholarship you can continue your studies or do research abroad. In the selection process, particular attention is paid to your involvement with your environment and your motivation. We spoke to students Daan and Finn about why they applied for a scholarship and how they experienced their application.
“This scholarship feels like recognition that other people also appreciate the social value of my dreams.” Economics student Daan Schrage will be doing a Master’s at KU Leuven in the coming academic year thanks to a VSBfonds Scholarship. “It is a good feeling when an organization like VSBfonds is confident that your plans may contribute to society in the future and that you are worth the investment.”
Psychology student Finn de Koning also received a scholarship from VSBfonds and wants to put it to good use by studying abroad. In September 2022, he will begin with his Master’s in Forensic Psychology at the University of Portsmouth.
Finn explains that he can realize a dream courtesy of this scholarship: “In the fourth year of secondary education, I already had the wish to study in the United Kingdom. Its countries and universities had a strong appeal for me. But I dismissed the thought because I didn’t think this was ever going to happen.” In the second year of his Psychology Bachelor’s, he nevertheless carefully explored options to take a Master’s abroad. “After a long search and sorting everything out, I discovered that my dream of studying in the United Kingdom was not as impossible as I’d thought and that it could come true with some financial support.”
Financial support
“Since studying is expensive, I had to rely on additional income such as a scholarship. That was one of the reasons why I applied for a VSBfonds scholarship,” Finn explains. Daan, too, was pleased to receive some financial support: “I would like to continue studying and do a PhD. But given the level of my student loan, I would find it hard to continue in college if I also had to borrow for my Master’s. By applying for a scholarship, I hoped I would no longer have to worry about this.”
The application process
Finn is very satisfied about the entire application process. “VSBfonds is very organized and undertakes fine initiatives. It is not only committed to education but also to people and society, art and culture.” Finn admits that applying for this scholarship cost him quite some time and trouble. “But I would recommend it to everyone who wants to study abroad.”
Daan had never thought he would get the scholarship. “Scholarships are not very common in the Netherlands; there is not really a ‘scholarship culture’ like in the United States or the United Kingdom. So it just doesn’t occur to you to apply for a scholarship. But I would urge everyone who wants to study abroad and who has ambitions to contribute to society in the future to send in an application, even if you think you don’t stand a chance.”
More information about VSBfonds Scholarships
The VSBfonds Scholarship is available for Dutch students who have completed their Bachelor’s or Master’s at Tilburg University and who want to get a degree or do research abroad. The amount of the scholarship is a maximum of € 10,000. Read more about scholarships.