Huge interest from prospective students (and their parents) on Bachelor’s Open Day
Presentations, city tours, themed cafés and information fairs − there was plenty to discover on the Bachelor’s Open Day last Saturday. Around 6,000 prospective students and 4,000 parents visited faculties in Leiden and The Hague to soak up the atmosphere and imagine how it would be to study at Leiden University.
Lasse Lemmers (16) from Amersfoort
‘I’m interested in history and Leiden University is the university if you want to study history, so that’s the main reason for my visit today. My parents and little brother and sister have come along too. We’re popping into town later. As well as History, I’ve had a look at Political Science and French Language and Culture. I’m only in the fourth year so I’ve got plenty of time but someone suggested taking a look this year to get some idea of what it’s like. My first impression? A fun city, nice buildings and interesting programmes, so positive therefore!’
‘I mainly focus on how I feel: What’s the atmosphere like? How do I feel in the city and the university buildings?’
Jersey Clermonts (18) from Gerwen, near Helmond
‘I’m torn between Classics, and Film and Literary Studies. Today I want to see what suits me better and will then do Student for a Day for that programme. I mainly focus on how I feel: What’s the atmosphere like? How do I feel in the city and the university buildings? An open day gives you a good idea of that. I’m also curious about the focus of the programmes. I’ve just been to a presentation about Classics and was pleased to hear that the programme also looks at mythology and the cultural side. That’s what fascinates me now at school. I’d like to write about mythology later, hence me also considering Literary Studies.’
Chia-Hsuan Wu (28) from Taipei, Taiwan
‘I’m not your typical visitor because I’ve already got a Bachelor’s in Polymer Engineering and a Master’s in Chemistry. I’m currently doing an MBA at Nyenrode Business University but I don’t think that will be my last degree.
‘I even got to speak a bit of Mandarin with a student just now and I never have that in the Netherlands’
‘I’m here today mainly out of personal interest because Leiden University has so many Asian programmes. It’s really interesting to hear from the students and study advisers what appeals to them about those programmes. Everyone is clearly incredibly passionate and wants to delve into the subject matter. I even got to speak a bit of Mandarin with a student just now and I never have that in the Netherlands.’
Roos Heutinck (18) from Leiderdorp
‘This isn’t my first time at the Open Day. I’m pretty sure I want to do Biomedical Sciences here but it’s still good to watch the presentations and chat with students. I came on my own last time but have brought my mother this time. It was really good to hear the concrete numbers today. Each year, around 300 people apply for 71 places. I thought there would be more applicants. I get good grades and am motivated, so am pretty confident.’
‘I wasn’t sure which programme I’d rather do but have been able to decide today’
Nifèmi Mosterd (17) from Rijnsburg
‘I’ve got the second selection round for admission to Medicine and Biomedical Sciences next week. That’s why I came along to find out about both today. I wasn’t sure which programme I’d rather do but have been able to decide today. The presentations and conversations emphasised how Medicine also involves the interpersonal side, and I want patient contact later and during my training. I initially thought I wanted to study at the University of Amsterdam but Leiden appeals more because it’s on a bit of a smaller scale here. I want to be seen and to be able to ask for help if I need it. In that respect, the Open Day has really helped me make my decision.’
Interested? The next Bachelor’s Open Day is on Saturday 12 October.
Text: Julie de Graaf
Photos: Marc de Haan