Masters
Bibi Koekkoek
Master: Landschapsgeschiedenis (Landscape History)
Study year: 2021-2022
The master Landschapsgeschiedenis (Landscape history) was not one that I had been considering for some time. I went to the information session because I wanted to give it a fair chance and see as many information sessions as possible. Once at the information session, I was completely won over! The master in Landscape History is extremely versatile and quite practical if you have just come from the History bachelor. You learn about all aspects of landscapes: geological, cultural, economic, social, historical or, for example, through art. During the master's you will learn how to investigate a landscape and you will often go and see the landscape for yourself. I have been to so many beautiful places in the Netherlands that I didn't know existed. Although it can sometimes be a little tricky without any background in geology, fortunately the material is manageable and it is also great fun to get to know a completely different field. I am very happy with this master's choice because I feel I can add a whole new set of skills to my history background!
Master: History today (Heritage and Consultancy)
Study year: 2021-2022
In the master History Today, you can choose from three different directions/specialisations. I have chosen the direction Heritage and Consultancy. It is a very nice way to turn your skills from bachelor into more practical competences. You learn about heritage, public history and how to introduce history to a wider audience in various ways. So far, I have learned very practical things. We have practised writing a project proposal and how best to present your history project. On the other hand, you also broaden your theoretical knowledge of history and you go into more detail about ethical issues surrounding history and heritage, for example. At the moment, I am doing an internship at a museum and I am allowed to think about a new exhibition. The skills such as archival work and research that we learned in the bachelor's course, I can convert into a real exhibition. Although I am only halfway through the master's programme, I feel that I have already learned a lot and that I am being well prepared for the job market!
Marc Dorenbos
Master: Journalism
Study year: 2021-2022
After I did the Minor Journalism during my Bachelor, I started with the Dutch track of the Master Journalism this year. The Master is divided in a theory part and a practical part. The theory part especially is quite familiar for History students. The practical part is the most fun! You get to write articles, work with sound and with image. You learn how to record, film and to edit. After the first semester you get to choose direction and you will specify in a certain way of journalism. During the year, you have multiple ‘redaction weeks.’ During these weeks, you will be simulating what is like to work as a journalist. You learn a lot from these experiences.
Besides the usual lectures you get from your teachers, you will also have a lot of guest lectures from journalists that are quite renown in the Netherlands. Besides learning a lot from them, it is really cool to meet some journalists you only know from the news.
What is nice about this Master is that you have a lot of contact hours with your fellow students. It’s a lot of fun to hang out a lot with people that are as interested in journalism as you are. Through the Master you will make a lot of new friends that will also will help you with your network when you become an actual journalist in the future.
So, there are a lot of reasons to start studying Journalism in the future! If you have questions or need more encouragement, you can always contact me!
Arjen Bloem
Master: History: Un/sustainable Societies: Past, Present and Future
Study year: 2022-2023
Master If you want to understand the world, history is the master's that suits you. Three masters in history are offered at the RUG. What is central to all masters is a challenging theoretical study load to train critical thinking and writing skills. As a historian, you want to provide context to understand the past. To do this, you need to be able to reflect, interpret and analyse how people acted in the past.
Because studying history is incredibly broad, it helps you stand out in a particular specialism. Ever since my bachelor, my interest is very much focused on how societies work and what ecological impact humans have on the planet. That's why I chose the English taught master's: Un/sustainable Societies: Past, Present and Future.
What makes this master different, and therefore more interesting, is its topical nature. It looks not only at what happened in the past, but also at the present and what awaits humans in the future. I particularly liked the thematic course 'Introduction into Sustainabillity'. In it, a broad view of sustainability is given. That is much more than just the environment; for example, political stability is also a form of sustainability. In addition, you can choose to gain more practical experience by doing an internship at a self-selected internship company. Museums and government institutions are among the options.
History students can study in many cities in the Netherlands. Only one is as sociable as Groningen. A city that is always bustling, very international and yet guarantees small scale. Within the programme, this is also reflected by the short communication lines between student and teacher. This makes the learning environment optimal. I would therefore definitely recommend the master's to prospective students with an interest in society, the environment and politics.
In the future, I hope to find a job in diplomacy or another governmental agency. A job in journalism also seems very interesting. It's all possible with the master's in Un/sustainable Societies: Past, Present and Future!
