How did you decide that this was the right study programme for you?
‘I have always been interested in languages, both in how people use it everyday and also how it is processed by each person. Language studies and literature were some of the other courses that I was interested in, but I did not want to restrict myself to one language, and more so wanted to understand how “language” works as a whole. This led me to want to study Linguistics, as it is more about how to study languages as opposed to studying one language.’ 

What factors influenced your choice to study this programme?
‘At the time when I was about to start my Bachelor's degree, the Bachelor’s Linguistics course was the best ranked course in continental Europe which was a major factor in my decision making. It is also a department and university with a high research output, which was important for me. The courses offered are interdisciplinary and a lot of importance is placed on being able to do practical and applied work alongside theoretical education, which definitely spoke to me.’

What career paths are you considering, and how has this programme contributed to those ideas?
‘I am now doing a Master's in Multilingualism at the University of Konstanz in Germany. During my Bachelor’s, I was introduced to many topics related to Multilingualism which were instantly interesting to me as I come from a multilingual society. We were encouraged and supported while conducting our own research, which led me to continuing down this path for my Master’s as well. I am currently working on understanding how multilingual individuals are communicating by using multiple languages in the same society. After this, I want to do a PhD in the same field and deepen my understanding of multilingualism while bringing something new to the field by studying understudied languages and linguistic communities.’ 

How would you describe the interaction between students and teachers?
‘I was very lucky to have multiple teachers who were not only great lecturers, but also so deeply interested in the topic themselves. They inspired me, encouraged me and challenged me to be a better student and researcher. They guided and nurtured my passion and even recommended several sub-topics to specialise in. Their mentorship has pushed me to be where I am today and also where I hope to be!’  

How have you balanced your studies with personal life, work, or extracurricular activities?
‘I was part of the study association for the Linguistics Department called VOS, we had regular “borrels” as well as other activities and trips, which was a great way to get to know my fellow linguists-to-be and also to socialise. It also allowed me to meet some teachers in a more informal setting, which was great to build connections. I also was on the board for the Linguistics student magazine called KATBlad which was a great way for students to publish some of their original ideas and papers related to Linguistics. Apart from this, the city offers many opportunities to socialise - parks and swimming in nearby lakes and canals in the summer, visiting various museums during the winter, and many activities organised by either the university or student groups. I also had a part-time job for a while, which might be hectic depending on how busy your schedule is, but it is also a great way to become a bit more financially independent and learn new skills.’