Studying Abroad Article

A brief article exploring the benefits of studying abroad. Compiled by Terri Witherden with photographs by Joni Kantonen. This article is fictional and designed to be an example of writing techniques and styles.

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Name: Lotta Hannuksela

Nationality: Finnish

Home University: University Consortium of Pori/Björneborgs

Host University: Radboud Universiteit, Nijmegen

Favourite Memory Studying Abroad:MuseumNacht in Amsterdam: All museums are accessible for one night only with one all you can access ticket. The city at night is a wonderful place!

student stats

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I wanted to study abroad to raise my profile, but I came to

the Netherlands by accident.

When Finnish art student Lotta Hannuksela was unsuccessful in securing her first choice in studying abroad in 2010, she had to settle on her second choice: the Netherlands. Luckily for her, it turned out to be far from second best.

“Of course I was disappointed not to get my first choice (interestingly, England), it was first for a reason!” the 26 year old muses in the glare of the coffee shop window, “But sometimes these things happen and turn out to lead you down the best path”.

Lotta, like other EU students, was eligible to study at an exchange university as part of the ERASMUS programme. The aims of the programme are to encourage the transfer of resources and opportunities in the form of students on an international playing field in order to strengthen relationships across the continant and create a pan European identity with fewer cross-border restrictions.

For students such as Lotta however, the focus is on an entirely individual level.

“It’s a really tough climate at the moment all over Europe; I didn’t want to be stuck studying forever but I wanted to make sure I was as ready for the real world as possible”. When asked if that simply means she was looking to make herself more employable, Lotta smiles wistfully: “Maybe to begin with, but it has become worth so much more”.

Lotta was aware of the benefits of studying abroad long before she made her decision. It raises your profile, your international awareness and gives you an experience on your C.V which is hard to match. Studying in Europe is an ideal way to live abroad without moving too far from home, friends and family. Flights with low-cost airlines create shuttle like connections to the rest of the continent, dissolving the borders of countries further, and the largely uniform monetary system makes travelling around even easier.

Words: Terri WitherdenPhotographs: Joni Kantonen

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Continued overleaf

with international experience and tuition fees climbing ever higher, more and more students are taking to Europe to study.

Although Lotta knew what she was embarking on when she applied to study abroad, her initial ideas of studying abroad were rewritten as she stepped out of the plane and into the misty Dutch weather.

“I just remember thinking ‘It’s so grey!’ and I’ll admit it’s hard to pick your spirits up when you get to your student accommodation and see sheep across the road”.

Lotta, like many British students, was largely unaware of Netherlands as a country until she arrived there. “I’d googled it and was a little shocked to find out my German was not going to be as useful as I’d hoped” (the Dutch, in fact, speak Dutch). For many, the Netherlands is clarified only when you say ‘Holland’ and few can give you much information aside from the stereotypes.

For prospective students however, the country boasts a rich tapestry of culture and heritage as well as some of the most exciting opportunities in the present day. The Netherlands is home to 11 of the World’s top ranking 100 universities; institutions

Unfortunately British students are missing out. Britain only sends 11,000 students a year abroad whilst welcoming more than double in their place. British students, who are often only fluent in their native language, already face stiff competition from their multilingual European contemporaries in employment opportunities. Add international experience to the equation and British students are at a worrying disadvantage.

This is changing. With 79% of British students feeling like their prospects after graduation would have been improved

Country Profile

Nijmegen Bridge by Sarah Hoffeditz

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which hold a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. The relaxed yet professional attitude of the country invited over 45,000 international students into its lecture halls in 2009 alone.

Lotta elaborates on how helpful Dutch universities were when she first arrived: “The country really surprised me and I felt instantly welcomed. I quickly learnt the best place to shop for food and for home essentials, and I had a bike to get around on by the end of my second day!”

In fact, the welcoming and helpful approach to international students may be one of the Netherlands strongest assets when competing to attract foreign intellect to the country. Many of the country’s universities supply their future students with information months in advance and set up support groups with local mentors to help new students get adjusted to life in another country.

“The mentoring system here is so helpful,” smiles Lotta, “having a local pair of eyes and ears to guide you around really allows you to see from another perspective. You learn all the best places to be and my mentor believes it helps her remember why she loves her city too”.

Lotta spent her exchange year studying art and humanities at Radboud University in the medieval town of Nijmegen, approximately 2 hours from the capital Amsterdam.

“Another great thing about the Netherlands is its size. You can go almost anywhere by train in a day and can get to other countries easily too. My roommate from Scotland balanced her studies with travelling. Once on the European continent she was dedicated to seeing most of it!”

Lotta in fact divided her time between her own host-city and visiting her boyfriend, also

The Netherlands is home to 11 of the World’s top ranking 100 universities

I love cycling in the cities, you can unlock all sorts of secret places

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a Finn studying abroad, in Enschede. “We shared the experience and ended up getting the most out of it and each other’s cities”.

Two years after her time spent studying abroad, I am meeting Lotta in one of Amsterdam’s many bruin-cafés as she takes a moment out of her job hunt in the capital. After completing her course in Finland, Lotta is looking to return to the Netherlands for good.

“Now the Netherlands is my first choice! Even if I don’t find what I’m looking for at the moment I most definitely want to live abroad again, this time more long term”. The desire to work abroad has obviously spawned from Lotta’s time on the Erasmus programme: as story after story crosses the table it becomes apparent that her year in the Netherlands was one of her happiest yet.

“I made such good friends from all over the world. Friends who teach you, in their own ways, how to think differently and different ways of looking at the same situation. I think this is what sets international students apart; we deal with situations in unique ways because we have unique experience and insight into dealing with situations in a foreign environment. Once you’ve overcome

an issue in another country, it doesn’t seem so hard!” Do you think your experience would have been the same, or even better, elsewhere?

Lotta hesitates with an answer and thinks about this as a stroopwafel rests on top of her Chocomel.

“It would have been different, not better or worse, just different. You cannot change

how you spent your year abroad or wish to, you must simply do it and find out what happens. The Erasmus programme gives you the chance, but it is up to you to actually take it.”

Any further advice to students, particularly those who are unsure about studying abroad?

“Just take that chance and do it.”

This time, there is no hesitation.

Now the Netherlands is my first choice!

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ERASMUS facts

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Useful LinksMore information on Erasmus: http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus.htm

See what the Netherlands has to offer:http://www.studyinholland.nl/

To view the benefits of Studying Abroad:http://www.prospects.ac.uk/studying_abroad.htm

Enquire within your own university to find out what options are available to you and where you are able to study.

The Erasmus programme can take you all over Europe. Desitinations include: Austria, Belgium,

Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark,

Estonia,

Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and more!

Cycling is quintessentially Dutch.

International students embrace Dutch colours for holidays and sports.

Town squares form central meeting points.

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