Open Day as a compass for prospective students
Chinese Studies, History or Urban Studies? How do you choose the right degree programme for you? Hundreds of prospective students tried to find out at the Bachelor’s Open Day in Leiden and The Hague. A new formula helped them on their way.
Prospective students trickle in on this drizzly Saturday. They’ve come with their parents and friends to Leiden University’s Open Day. In both Leiden and The Hague, the faculties are presenting their degree programmes – and there are quite some to choose from. At the Herta Mohr building, for instance.
This year, there are special sessions for those who aren’t sure which programme to study but do know the area they’re interested in – Language and Global Perspectives and Democracy, Power and Justice, for example. ‘We offer over 60 bachelor’s programmes at the university,’ marketing officer Ayelet Mokasay explains. ‘Prospective students are familiar with programmes like languages, law or economics, but we’ve also got more obscure programmes. Prospective students often know where their interests lie and which subjects they like. By providing information based on areas of interest, we can show them which programmes fall within that cluster. This helps them get started and gives them direction.’
Asking questions and exploring
Ylena Li (17) from Nunspeet has narrowed it down to Chinese Studies or Law, and wants to find out more about both programmes today. Her parents are Chinese, so they speak the language at home, but Ylena wants more. ‘I want to understand the language in a broader sense. The language shouldn’t be forgotten, which is why I’m considering doing this programme.’ She’s visiting the Open Day with a friend who has just started at the Faculty of Science. ‘She’s really enthusiastic, so it’s definitely going to be Leiden.’
Leiden is the first university Eduard Mante (17) from Schiedam is visiting, but how could that be otherwise with parents who are both Leiden alumni. In his penultimate year of school, Eduard is mainly interested in languages, history and anthropology programmes. ‘African Studies sounds interesting, but so does Chinese Studies. I’m glad I came to the open day because you get to ask all your questions and to explore. It’s different from a booklet with general information.’
Flying visit to philosophy programme
Felyks Martko (18) is sitting on a bench with his mother and flicking through a brochure. He’s come from Poland especially for the open day – a flying visit. ‘We landed yesterday and return home this evening. I’ve come for the presentation about the programme Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives. I’m taking philosophy classes at school. This programme is unique in the world, which is why I want to come to Leiden. We’ve heard it’s difficult to find a room, so I’ll have to start looking soon.’
Maaike Oostrom (15) from Montfoort likes many different subjects and is considering a wide range of programmes. She’s come to Leiden with her parents. Her first impressions of Leiden and the university are positive. ‘There’s a great vibe. I’ve been to Arts, Media and Society, and English, and I’m going to the Language and Global Perspectives presentation.’
Help making the right decision
This is the first time with special sessions per wider subject area for people like Maaike who either like lots of subjects or are still at the start of the decision-making process.
‘I wish I’d had it when I was deciding,’ sighs Fiona Haarbrink, who is studying at Leiden University College (LUC) in The Hague. ‘It’d definitely have helped. I like so many different subjects. Now I can hopefully help the prospective students make the right decision.’ Fiona is on a panel led by Sterre Verdonk (History) with Sid Wagenfeld (Middle Eastern Studies) and Tobya Monté (Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology).
The four talk enthusiastically about their programmes. They discuss a series of statements, an overview of the programmes within the cluster and a profile of the ideal student for this cluster.
On the way to her last information session of the day, Anu Soerjoesing (16) explains that she’s still undecided because she likes so many subjects. Will it be Art History, Korean Studies or Philosophy? Coming from The Hague, there’s one thing she knows for sure: she’s going to study in Leiden. ‘The history of the university and of the city of Leiden appeals to me, and it’s ideal for me from The Hague. I just need to decide what. I’m in my last year at school, so I need to get a move on.’
