Exchange or

Larissa is currently finishing her third year of the CIS bachelor and did her minor at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). In this article, she tells us all about her experiences abroad!

Larissa, why did you want to study at CUHK?

‘’The main reason that I wanted to go to Hong Kong was because it’s centrally located in Asia and I wanted to travel as much as possible during my exchange. Also, I know some people that have been to Hong Kong and they were very enthusiastic about the city. Besides that, the university offered some very interesting courses. Examples of courses I followed are Global Affairs & Public Issues, Media Industries & Practices and Social Media & Crisis Communication.’’

How were these courses organized, and how was the level compared to courses at Tilburg University?

‘’The courses were very interactive, more than at Tilburg University. We had a lot of presentations and projects, and I often worked together with local students. Many of the courses focused on local issues or media in Hong Kong, which was very interesting. In my opinion the level of the courses was a bit lower than the courses at Tilburg University. In Tilburg, we mainly focus on research, while the courses I followed at CUHK were from the School of Journalism & Communication, so writing essays was far less scientific.’’

opment?

‘’I think that I became even more open minded towards other cultures during my exchange. For me, working together with locals at CUHK and travelling through Asia was the best cross-cultural experience that I could have wished for. I loved Hong Kong, although the situation with the protests was very exceptional. I was kind of relieved to go home in December as the protests escalated at our campus. It made me realize that we should be very, very happy that we have so much freedom in the Netherlands and don’t have to deal with a situation like that.’’

Larissa would recommend everyone to go on exchange. ‘’I started preparing for my exchange one year in advance. Organizing all required documents such as language certificates, a visa and the scholarship took quite some time and effort, but it was absolutely worth it.’’

HONG KONG Larissa

TOKYO Robbert

Robbert is currently doing the CIS bachelor and is currently studying at the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan. He will be studying here for three months and tells us more about his first impressions studying abroad.

Why did you want to study at this university, Robbert?

My main motivation to go to this university is because I really wanted to go to Japan. I think the culture of Japan is very fascinating as they are traditional and futuristic at the same time. And not to forget the food. The food was a major factor in my decision as well. I chose ICU because they are specialized in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Therefore, students have the possibility to follow courses in different disciplines.

Which courses are you following at this university and do they differ from courses at Tilburg University?

I am following five courses: three in Media, Communication and Culture, one in Business and one in Literature. Due to the global pandemic that is going on right now, all lectures are given online, and I don’t have a single exam. It is still a bit hard to say since I’m only two weeks in, but on first sight it seems like the level of the courses are below the level of my courses at Tilburg University. While there are more lectures and seminars, a large part of your grading consists of participation, papers, and group projects.

How do you think this exchange will contribute to your studies and self-development?

Regarding my studies, it certainly contributes for a bit, but I feel like I could have enriched my knowledge in a similar way at Tilburg University. I think my exchange contributes a lot to my self-development. I am learning a lot about a culture to which I’m very new. The traditions and lifestyle of the Japanese people have really inspired and amazed me so far. Also, it’s an experience in itself to be all on your own in a foreign country for a longer period of time.

Robbert is enjoying his time on exchange, despite the coronavirus being amongst us. He said: The learning experience both at the university and as a person makes it worthwhile. If you have a sense for travelling and don’t mind stepping out of your comfort zone, studying abroad is definitely something for you. My tip would be to start researching for destinations as soon as possible and not to rule out destinations or universities without looking at them.