What’s it like to be a man in a female-dominated study programme, or a woman in a male-dominated programme? Apparently it has its advantages. ‘It’s fun to be by definition the handsomest guy around.’

Hugo van Bree (20) is a second-year student in Pedagogical Sciences

‘I’m a member of a special Men’s Committee within our study association. We go on beer tastings, play poker, and do all sorts of other things with no women around. We’ve got to: with 91% of women, Pedagogical Studies is the most women-dominated programme on campus. So we feel the need to get together from time to time.

In a group of men I’m a different person, I notice. I can voice blunt opinions and laugh at dirty jokes. I remember during Introduction Week, the Chair of the Committee stood up on a table, pounded his chest and shouted “We are men!” We tend to exaggerate the stereotypes, for fun.

‘I’ve always had lots of women friends’

For the rest, I don’t think much about the fact that I’m a man among women. I’ve always had lots of women friends, even at secondary school. At the end of the day we’re all individuals, you can’t compartmentalise people. Nor is it true that as a man you can get all the girls you want here. As it happens, I did meet my girlfriend through our study programme, but most of my fellow students look for girlfriends elsewhere.

Pedagogical Sciences probably attracts so many women because we associate this field of study with jobs that were historically done by women: education and child care. It’s a pity, I think. A male perspective on pedagogy and education is more than welcome. Lots of children are delighted to finally see a male teacher in front of the classroom.’

Evi Sijben (21) is a fourth-year student in Computing Science

‘I write a column for Thabloid, our study association magazine, entitled “Dating First Aid”. Together with another student I answer questions by our male students. “What’s a fun idea for a date?”, they ask, or “Do you always wear make-up?”. But also: “How do you know something’s wrong if a girl always answers ‘Nothing’ when you ask?”

Of course, I knew beforehand that Computing Studies was a really male-dominated programme. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold my ground. My friends asked me: Are you sure you want to study Computing Science? Isn’t it a programme for boys? I’ve nearly finished my Bachelor’s now, I’m the student representative for the Faculty, and I spent a year on the board of the study association.

‘It’s more relaxed, with so many men around’

About 90% of my fellow students are men. This creates a different kind of atmosphere. It’s calmer, more relaxed, with so many men around. Boys don’t need to have an opinion on everything. They’re not so easily hurt. In the beginning I did have to get used to their directness. I also noticed that they’re less into forming cliques. They’re more into individual friendships.

Men are more spontaneous when it comes to getting together: they just call you up. Then you might not see them for weeks on end. Women like to plan their time more. And yes, my fellow students like to play computer games a lot. But when they do, I just join in with them!’

Arno Kok (21) is a second-year student in Psychology

‘I often forget there’re so many girls around. Until we all go out for a drink and suddenly I realise I’m the only guy. But it has its advantages. It’s fun to be by definition the handsomest man around.

Some things do strike me in this women-dominated group. Women doubt themselves a lot, they’re less likely to think: “I can do it!”. And then they go on and score an 8 in their exam anyway! But they’re great to work on projects with. You get so much done. I think women are generally more practical. They plan things and take their studies seriously. Men are more likely to think: “Shit! I’ve got a presentation tomorrow!” Women will have their plan ready weeks ahead of time, and still stress about it.

‘I like to work with women’

I hadn’t really given much thought to the fact that psychology was such a women-dominated study programme. I think as men, we’re still misled by the historical image of Freud and his sofa. I know I was. When I think of psychologists, I think of bearded men in a room with a couch.

I have no idea who makes better psychologists, men or women. What I do see is that the qualities we need according to our teachers are typically female qualities, like caring and empathy. Some teachers say: but as women, you already have these qualities. And I’m thinking to myself: I have these qualities too!’