In September, Radboud University offers eight English-taught bachelor programs. Obviously, this effects the organisation of the bachelor open days. Last Saturday, students from all over Europe flew in to hear about what Radboud University and Nijmegen have to offer.

The girls at the international information desk, located in the Cultuurcafe, do not speak Dutch. The many Dutch parents who ask them for directions visibly have to get used to this. For others, though, the desk is their safe place in the chaos of the open day. At 9.00, it is already very busy at the campus, and parent-and-children-lookalikes come from everywhere. The sign at the stand for coffee and tea is only in Dutch. According to Laura Derkse, Senior International Marketeer, this is something to think about for the next open day: ‘It is strange to see that all the signs are in Dutch. I started noticing this recently, organising the orientation for the international students makes you look at the campus with different eyes.’

Many high school student came to The Netherlands for this open day, there are even people from Sweden, Portugal and Greece. One girl who could not make it because she is in New York, has sent her father to see if Radboud University would fit her. He took an interpreter, who asks the girls behind the desk all kinds of questions about the Psychology program. After that, they both get a cup of coffee and talk it over in Dutch.

Guide for the day
People interested in English-taught bachelor programs get a special program today. First, they all go to an English introduction talk, where they hear everything about Nijmegen, the Dutch education system and the Radboud University numbers. Out of 19.904 students, 1700 are international right now. This number could grow substantially with the new bachelor tracks. One of the students thinking about adding herself to this group is Anna (18) from Hungary. She heard about the university at an education fair in her home country and was curious what it might be like in real life. ‘I want to work abroad when I am done with my studies, the wages in Hungary are very bad,’ she says. ‘So my friend and I flew to Eindhoven this morning. After the open day, we will go to Amsterdam, so we can see that city as well. We fly home again tomorrow.’ So far, she thinks it has been worth the trip. ‘People have been very helpful and friendly. I really like this place.’

After the introduction, the students are divided into groups and get their own guide for the day. They visit information rounds about admissions and about the different programs. A girl from Greece, Katerina (17), asks when you need to send in your diploma during the admission process. She also wants to know how grades work in The Netherlands. ‘Our scores go from 1 to 20, you pass when you get a 9 or 10.’ In Greece, there is only one university where she can study Moleculair Life Sciences, the program of her choice. Her mother adds that an education in The Netherlands would have a lot of benefits for her daughter. ‘I believe that education has to be research-based and modern. The Dutch are focused, open-minded and always interested in developing new things. I think my daughter would learn a lot here.’/ Jozien Wijkhuijs