International Bachelor Communication and Media

After visiting Rotterdam for the first time, I immediately knew that I wanted to study there. Being from a small town in Germany, the international atmosphere about Rotterdam was something I also wanted to reflect on in my study choice. It then didn’t take long for me to discover and go for the International Bachelor Communication and Media. It connects an international environment with a diverse curriculum that enables me to get insights into various career paths.

Nowadays, I have friends from all over the globe, which is helpful for my personal life, but I also believe that I can benefit from it career-wise. As my fellow students are also future colleagues, the study helps to develop a diverse and extended network. This is supported by the internship and the student exchange, which are also both part of the study and help you further familiarize yourself with topics of your preference. The favourite part about this study program is that it allows you to go into many different directions in the future. Which means that you can decide during your studies what the right career path for yourself personally is.

It is also important to mention that living abroad and in an international environment can be overwhelming at the start if you have never done so before. Cultural differences can lead to unknown situations, which require adaptation, respect and experience. However, this is also part of being an international student and building your own character, which is why I think IBCoM offers the perfect foundation for personal growth.

For me, the International Bachelor Communication and Media for me was an unexpected choice. I heard about the program through a friend, and I signed up for an Open Day after researching the curriculum a bit. After attending the lectures and talking to students I was fully convinced that IBCoM was the perfect study for me. From that point forward I’ve given IBCoM my full attention.

One of the most interesting parts of IBCoM for me is the agency granted to students when it comes to their course selection procedure. And the ability to delve into many institutional fields such as business, politics, and entertainment. Students who have an affinity for media and communication are bound to be a match with this program, as they can fully immerse themselves in how these fields interact with other fields.

One of the many lessons IBCoM has taught me is to how to be adaptable to change. Once the program starts you will start a constant process of change; you will have new ideas, beliefs, and habits. Once you reach the second year of IBCoM your academic and professional career will start to flourish in ways you didn’t even consider. Your determination and motivation will guide you to new extremes while creating irreplaceable memories with your international classmates.

After spending my gap year travelling and meeting new people from different backgrounds, I wanted to remain that international environment during my studies. When first visiting the Woudestein campus I already felt that the international spirit advertised towards the outside was readily recognizable towards the insight. Afterwards, it did not take me long to realize that the international Bachelor Communication and Media fulfilled all the expectation I had.

Not only does IBCoM offer a very diverse curriculum which allows you to explore a broad range of fields and career paths, but it also encourages you to follow your personal interests by choosing your own Focus Areas. I look forward to putting the theory I learned thus far into practice during the internship and expanding my horizon by making new friends and being part of new experiences during the exchange.

Aside the academics, learning with and from people from all over the world while being accommodated with openness, tolerance, and helpfulness, is what makes being part of the IBCoMmunity truly exciting! As an international student myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to start your studies abroad.

Especially since I started my studies during the pandemic, I was worried about my academic performance and not being able to settle down in Rotterdam. Looking back this concern was unjustified. Through the support and efforts from EUR as well as my fellow students I quickly felt comfortable and confident, at the university as well as in my personal life!

I’m sure many of you have struggled to find the perfect university programme to pursue after high school and I’m here to tell you that I was no different! In fact, I tried two different fields of study before I found the perfect match for me; IBCoM.

This program will provide you with a variety of timeless foundational skills, such as professional writing and critical thinking, and teach them in combination with important social issues that our society faces today, such as the impacts of social media, political landscapes, and the future of globalization. For the first time in my life, I feel passionate about what I am studying and feel that I am being provided with skills and knowledge that will positively impact the world.

IBCoMmunity
Aside from academics, the IBCoM community has been the highlight of my time at Erasmus. I have found a new home in the welcoming student body and have made friends that I hope to keep for the rest of my life. The exceptional diversity at IBCoM has expanded my knowledge of other cultures and has allowed me to consider global issues from new perspectives.

I can wholeheartedly say that my time in this program has been the best post high school experience and has exceeded my expectations both academically and socially. I have discovered new personal interests and developed exciting and unexpected ambitions for my future.

I have always strived for an international degree and I was sure about studying in Europe. But I wasn’t sure where I wanted to study. On the recommendation of family and friends, I paid a visit to Rotterdam and  there I knew that I had made the right choice applying to Erasmus. Not only did the IBCoM programme cover a lot of areas I was interested in, but the student body was diverse as well. The presence of an international community was a sign that other students were also seeing the value in the programme.

A broad foundation

Starting my first year was exciting. I was worried about the statistical courses because, although I was good in Math, it is a subject that does not come effortlessly to me. Thankfully, the course material is set up in a way that makes it easy to follow and gave me the necessary skills to carry out quantitative research. Furthermore, the first year provided me with a broad foundation in several aspects, which allows you to choose your specialization in your second year with insight into all the possibilities.

The teaching style at Erasmus

The most exciting aspects of IBCoM have been the teaching style at Erasmus University, which is very engaging. Also, the onus is put on students to pursue work within their own schedules, this teaches you the self-responsibility you need to succeed professionally, even after completing university. Aside from teaching, the environment at Erasmus is very social, which is an encouraging aspect for me being an international student far away from home.

Opportunity to live abroad

I am interested in marketing and advertising and I have therefore focused my assignments on this area, and I will most likely choose my elective courses in this field as well. Furthermore, I am looking forward to going on exchange in the third year and having the opportunity to live abroad! There are so many options and choices that I haven’t decided yet on where I would like to go, but regardless I am looking forward to exploring another culture for six months and broaden my international orientation!

As an international student who grew up in Tanzania and later in Croatia, I never really settled or found my place where I felt comfortable. However, here at IBCoM, I can finally say that this comfort is fulfilled, a place where diversity and inclusion meet creativity and inspiration - all in the amazing and vibrant city of Rotterdam.

Cultural awakening

It is an undeniable fact that a number of individuals who come to study in a foreign country like to bond with others of the same nationality and interests. However, here at IBCoM, we celebrate the fact that relationships among students and faculty members go beyond borders - from the Netherlands to Croatia all the way to Malaysia and Vietnam, all members unite at IBCoM.

The multitude of courses

Another yet crucial reason why I decided to study at IBCoM is the diversity of courses. Classes range from introductory courses like human communication in the first year, to more political or entertainment-based communication in the second and third years. If you are into sociology, public relations, or media industries and their audiences, these are all courses that are taught here.

If you are like me, who had no idea what he was getting himself into, please do not worry - you will have the opportunity to essentially select a wide range of courses that appeal to your interests. In case you do not take a particular interest in a course, you can always choose something else. Needless to say, anything you can think of that revolves around communication will most likely be offered here at IBCoM - a program tailored to your preferences.