Apa Kata Mereka Yang Pernah Belajar di Belanda ?

Setelah melihat tulisan dari para peserta kompeti blog yang telah berbagi informasi, cerita dan harapan, saya jadi tertarik untuk kembali memposting informasi yang terkait dengan tema kompetisi ini “Studi di Belanda, ticket to a global community”. Nah, kali ini saya akan mempublikasikan beberapa komentar/ kesaksian dari beberapa mahasiswa/mahasiswi yang menempuh pendidikan di Belanda. Terstimony ini saya dapatkan dari CD Study in Holland; International Programmes and Courses 2009/2010 yang dikeluarkan oleh Neso Indonesia. CD ini saya dapatkan di kampus tempat kuliah saya sekarang. Komentar mereka beragam dan mereka juga berasal dari beberapa negara yang beragam pula, salah satunya dari Indonesia.  Simak baik-baik, mudah-mudahan dari komentar-komentar dibawah dapat menambah wawasan dan keinginan kita untuk mengecap pendidikan di sana.

Gambar CD-nya

Eko Baskoro Harimulyo (19), Indonesia

BSc in Applied Life Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences

Holland is a country that enjoys freedom of speech and thought. It makes students feel free to be themselves when giving their ideas and opinions. Holland also has very high standards of education, supported by technology. These are the reasons I chose to continue my studies in Holland. If you are very interested in your field of study and you want to find out more, you should come and study here.

There are a lot of things which are very different to Indonesia, such as the people, environment, food and culture. Dutch people are very open, they let you state your ideas and give advice if you need it. I suggest that foreign students ask their Dutch friends or their teachers to help them if they have any problems with a letter written in Dutch (especially financial matters). Because small letters can cause big problems if you do not understand them.

My ‘hogeschool’ provides good facilities, such as a sport centre, a music room, a laboratory and housing. We do not have to worry about buying furniture, paying the water bill, electricity or gas. I really enjoy my studies and I’ve been trying to learn more about Holland by visiting other cities. I like spending my time playing football with other people who came from outside Holland, such as Turks, Moroccans and Arubans.

I do not really like the changeable weather in Holland. In contrast with Indonesia, Holland is much colder. Holland has four seasons and Indonesia only two. When I arrived, in Nijmegen, the temperature was 16° Celsius, and it was very cold compared to Malang, the city I come from, which was 25° Celsius! “Holland.

Olga Muravjova (21), Lithuania

BA in Liberal Arts, University College Utrecht

The first time I saw University College Utrecht was when I came to visit my brother who was also studying here several years ago. I decided to study at University College because it offers a perfect combination of quality education and opportunity to combine several disciplines. You don’t have to stick to just economics, for instance; you can also explore the world of law, politics, history and many other disciplines. It provides a solid foundation on which you can build the future.

Because of the small class size (we have a maximum of 25 students in each class), you are not only encouraged to get involved in discussions and to get to know students with the same interests, but you also have the opportunity to communicate with the professoron an individual basis. Every student has his own tutor, who helps to organize your University College ‘career’, and who gives advice, something that is very important to international students.

In addition to your studies, there are plenty of extra-curricular activities, such as the Politics Committee, Humanitarian Co, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Dance and Theatre, etc. It is always very difficult to make a decision which ones to choose, since all these activities add something to your individuality and encourage you to develop.

After my studies, I am planning to do my master’s degree at a Western European university. Since I am interested in management and business, I am considering Lund University in Sweden, Edinburgh University in the UK and Erasmus University in Rotterdam. I might also do the MBA programme as my second masters afterwards. Maybe, I will start my career at one of the non-governmental organizations.

Shenghua Tan (21), China

B in International Business and Management Studies, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

The big difference between a Chinese education and a Dutch education is that ChIneseeducation places more emphasis on theoretical knowledge. As a contrast, a Dutch Education trains students how to use their knowledge in practical situations. Students are trained to think independently and creatively during group projects. Dutch people are very friendly and treat everyone as an equal. The Dutch accept another culture easily and like to make friends with foreigners. During my past 3 years studying here, I have made lots of Dutch friends, who are very kind and they have helped me a lot.

Furthermore, many Dutch people can speak more than one language, such as English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Lots of them even want me to teach them Chinese! I like the magic of the Dutch culture, Dutch people and Holland’s beautiful countryside. The best thing about the Dutch culture is that it easily accepts and integrates with the other cultures. However, the weather in the Netherlands is not really good. Sometimes,

it is so rainy and windy. Studying in Holland is the best way to access the whole world. The tuition fees are lower compared to other countries, and you can get a more specialized education. Make sure you are familiar with Dutch regulations, and then you will have a nice experience in the Netherlands. As overseas students studying in Holland, we have the responsibility of being the link between our own country and the Netherlands. Just like Nuffic’s mission: “Linking knowledge worldwide means bringing people together!”

Damien Beaumard (22), France

MSc in Animal Sciences, Wageningen University

When I finished my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in France, I wanted to experiencethe outside world and to specialize in animal production for my Master of Science degree. I found one MSc programme called EURAMA (European Animal Management). In fact, this programme combines courses in animal science, management, economics and agricultural policy. On top of that, it gives you the opportunity to travel within Europe (France, Holland, Spain and Czech Republic) and to feel the importance of the European dimension.

Working in an international project group is a great experience because it broadens your mind. It allows you to approach any issue on a global scale and to deal with particular ways of thinking that can differ between countries. We live in a globalized world and our futures will definitely be internationally oriented. Working on an international project is therefore an excellent opportunity to prepare for our professional careers.

Student life in Holland is a mix of study, sport and partying. Dutch people are reallycreative partyers and they always find something to do. They play a lot of different kinds of sport in Holland so you can always find something you like. The most important difference I noticed, which is really important for foreign students, is that almost everyone speaks English. This simplifies things. The things I appreciate about Holland are the sincerity, the honesty, the direct attitude and the welcoming nature of Dutch people, which is quite special. I have been impressed by the quality of life in Holland. Everyone rides a bike and there is so much to do.

Christina Liesegang (30), Germany

MSc in Urban Development and Management, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies

I chose the Netherlands as a place to study since my programme in urban development, with a focus on developing countries and the specialization in urban social development, does not exist anywhere else in Europe. The option of getting a master’s degree in one year was very attractive for me since I already have a master’s degree and wanted an additional qualification. Especially important was that I got the Huygens Scholarship so I could afford a second academic study.

I have always liked the Netherlands and it is known to be innovative, especially for urban planning and architecture. Another reason to choose Rotterdam was that I have very good friends living here. I have the feeling that people are (even more) pragmatic or practical here in everything they do and in how problems are solved. Also they like to create “gezelligheid” and care about design. The society is very international and this multi-culturalism plays a different role than in Germany. In Holland people are quite relaxed and friendly but not so easy to get really close to. I like the pace of life here which is not too slow and not fast and hectic.

The student life is very relaxed compared to working, the university system itself is much more school-like and less free (in terms of choosing what to learn) than in my home country. The level of study is quite easy but there are a lot of assignments. I still feel I learned a lot especially from my classmates who come from all over the world. These contacts, inputs and the intercultural learning experience are the best aspects of my studies here. Coming from Berlin, what I miss in Rotterdam is a very rich cultural life, clubs and cafés. Also I really do not like the weather and I miss lively streets and squares, especially in the evenings. Dutch universities usually have a very good infrastructure and modern campuses. There are great funding opportunities and benefits for students.

Tarek Waly (34), Egypt

PhD in Seawater Desalination, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education

The study programme I follow is unique, the institution is internationally recognized and my mentors and supervisors are well-known authorities in my area of study. Student life here is average. The plus points here are the number of multicultural students, the high-quality lectures and the university has excellent high-tech facilities. However, expensive housing could be a problem for foreign students in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, things are very organized. Dutch people take care of every tiny detail. Things normally take more time in the Netherlands, but at the end they are 100% correct. In my country, time is not always accurately managed, resulting in many mistakes and pitfalls.

The Dutch people are generally warm, even though they don’t appear to be on first impressions. They are well-educated and read a lot. Daily life in the Netherlands is much easier than in any other non- English speaking countries; most people can communicate in several languages especially English. The presence of many emigrants in the Netherlands enriches the Dutch culture and decreases my feelings of homesickness. The Dutch normally respect differences and are eager to learn and understand. Even though the Dutch have such a high level of scientific education, they still live their lives astonishingly simply. This is a combination that is hard to find anywhere else and I really appreciate it. (marten)

Sumber :

CD Study in Holland; International Programmes and Courses 2009/2010; Neso Indonesia.

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