International Bachelor History

As a high school student, I was always looking for opportunities to broaden my horizon. This is reflected in my choice of university and bachelor programme. History at the Erasmus University is a wide-ranging programme with a lot of different disciplines that come together. Thus, whether you like political history, cultural history, or socio-economic history, the Erasmus University is the place to be!

Something that immediately drew my attention in the first year was the international character of the programme. This allowed for a melting pot of perspectives and made the in-class debates very interesting. You learn a lot from your fellow students as they see the world in a totally different way – which is especially beneficial for studying history.

What I really enjoy about the history programme at the Erasmus University is the fact that it tries to blend different branches of history. For instance, in the second year, economic history and international relations are combined. In this way, you learn to

The Erasmus University has lots of opportunities for you to develop as an individual. They offer many extracurricular occupations such as committees, a special honours programme for excelling students, and the chance to study abroad in your third year. In short, studying history at the EUR widens your perspective on the world and helps you grow as an individual!

During my last year of high school, I looked at quite a lot of various history programmes throughout the Netherlands. Yet, even when looking at other history studies, the version at the Rotterdam University never left my mind. The International Bachelor History spoke to me because of its unique programme and challenges. The interesting part of it that it is the only study where I feel that you do not focus entirely on Europe from a European perspective and instead on the whole globe and how they were before Europe colonized them.

Furthermore, you learn various other perspectives to approach history, such as the look from the colonized instead of the colonizers or from the point of view from minorities. It taught me that there was more to history than just the Europeanized version of it and that there were more histories to learn instead of those taught in high school.

Something I had to learn how to deal with was the fast pace of the history bachelor. While on one hand had it is great that during your first year you only focus on one course at the time, on the other hand it makes the courses quite fast paced and you cannot afford to fall behind. Yet, with the help of the lecturers and my fellow students it ended up being quite doable.

My father studied history and used to be a historian early in his life. Growing up, I always admired his ability to make sense of the world and his understanding of the past. Historians might not build bridges, save people from a burning house, or harvest a field, but the historical knowledge they collect, upon closer inspection, seems essential to understand people, the society we came to live in, and our very own lives. The International Bachelor of History at Erasmus offers a great opportunity for anyone interested in contemplating human life and society.

Examine the past in a critical sense
During the first year, you are introduced to the main strands of European and global history in a series of courses that start around the year 1500 and move to today. Also, you will learn about the major social thinkers and their ideas. While presented with this vast amount of evidence and information, you are trained to assess historical evidence and interpretations, to analyse change and continuity, and most importantly — to examine the past in a critical sense. All of this provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in debate and to render a different perspective.

Focus area of interest
In year two, you are encouraged to focus on a area of interest. I chose social history for its humanistic goal of trying to explore the human experience in other times and places. There is a great sense of beauty and excitement in trying to understand how people in distant times chose to build their lives and tested their moral sense and values. The knowledge that social history brings, offers a unique perspective on human life and gives great hope for individual liberty.

A lot of support along the way
Although the programme is challenging at times, you will never feel alone on any issue. The interaction and reciprocity between students and teaching/administrative staff are highly regarded at Erasmus University, and you will be offered a lot of support along the way. Recently, the sudden shift to online classes has taken place with the same level of care and attention as before — an effort that deserves the utmost praise. So, do not be afraid to talk to someone, or ask for help.

After graduating from high school, I did not know what to do next. I knew I was fascinated by history, I just never really thought about studying it at university. I did a lot of research and found the International Bachelor History programme at Erasmus.

I (re)found my passion for history
I realized history did not always have to be about ancient Rome or Greece. It can also very well be about analyzing the reason why the West grew rich and the East did not, or how globalization came about. Topics that matter today had an origin, and it's essential to understand it. While at Erasmus I (re)found my passion for history.

Encouraged to speak my mind
Growing up in South America, I had never studied in English before. Even though I passed IELTS with a decent grade, the language felt like a challenge during the first couple of weeks. However, the lecturers were always helpful in that regard. At the seminars we had three times a week, we discussed a broad variety of topics- for example, what progress really is or what does modernity means. I felt encouraged to speak my mind. Rapidly the fear to speak English was gone.

Going in my second year now I can choose to focus on social, cultural, economic, or international relations history, which gives me the freedom to trace my own path. Living abroad and being in contact with Dutch and international students in Rotterdam makes me interested in international relations and I'm glad I can also study it in my course.

During secondary school I visited many different universities and looked at multiple studies in order to make a well informed choice. I felt a great need to choose a study that would challenge me, deepen my knowledge of the world and that would encourage me to look at things critically. This is exactly what the International Bachelor History at Erasmus University Rotterdam offers you.

Awareness of your own bias

Already during the first year students are taught to be aware of their own biases, find and study many different articles, books and opinions of academics to get a broad view of a topic. Students also have to write two papers for each course and give a presentation. These are generally very useful skills to obtain. Because I am Dutch it would be rather self-evident for me to do this study in Dutch, but I preferred to do it in English because it allows me to connect with students from many different places who, because of their various backgrounds, also have different perspectives on history which is a great way to broaden your view even more than the programme itself already does. I really have enjoyed my first year at EUR because I met a lot of nice people, definitely developed my writing and research skills and read a lot of interesting books and articles.

Next to all this, Rotterdam is a very vibrant city for students and contains many great bars, restaurants and parks for students to spend their spare time at.