Why this programme

Choosing to study the one-year master programme in Media, Culture and Society offered by the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication was one of the most challenging, yet most worthwhile and wise decisions that I could have made at this stage of my life. This choice was beneficial for many reasons, such as experiencing a new style of education, broadening my social circle, and studying in a foreign country.

Style of Education and International Friendships

One thing that caught my attention while studying at Erasmus University was the way that lectures were conducted. The atmosphere in the classroom was highly interactive, and the professors aimed to create a collaborative environment, encouraging the students to freely share their thoughts and collectively create knowledge, without making anyone feel excluded. Additionally, due to the multifaceted and diverse composition of my department, I had the chance to meet new people from all around the word, form meaningful relationships with them, expand my way of thinking, and gain new experiences. 

Studying in a Foreign Country

Building your life abroad, far away from your family and friends back home, can be a very demanding and difficult process with many ups and downs. However, the freedom and the independence you gain are very important. Specifically, I believe that through this one-year experience, I gained the confidence to create my life abroad, believe in myself, and pursue a career in a foreign country that suits me the best. 

Challenges and the Way Forward

This master programme provided valuable insights and new perspectives in the field of media. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the degree demands dedication and discipline. Personally, the most challenging period was writing my master thesis, as it required commitment, time, and a focused mindset. However, with the guidance of my skilled supervisor and the knowledge I gained from previous courses, I overcame these challenges and gained valuable knowledge in the media domain. 

.Media from a global perspective 

I chose to study this programme because of my fascination with how media shapes our perceptions and influences societal structures. Witnessing the growth of media in my own country made me wish to learn about it more from a global perspective. For me, one of the most intriguing aspects of this study was delving into topics such as media representation, identity formation, and the flow of information. It really opened my eyes to the critical role media plays in and it truly made me confident in my skills of handling communication. Class was always engaging with multiple group discussions and presentations. Being able to study it in such an international environment like that at Erasmus was really fulfilling.  

Active participation 

However, the journey was not without its challenges. One of the primary struggles was keeping up with different perspectives and working on the thesis. Moreover, some topics that I was previously not familiar with were more challenging than other. The thesis is most definitely a task that requires the most effort and active participation and balancing it with other elements of daily life is what student life is all about. 

Despite these challenges, the rewards of understanding the profound connections between media, culture, and society made the journey deeply worthwhile. Eventually, with classes, I have been able to really enjoy my time here. It is an endeavour I would recommend embarking on! 

Before starting the master programme Media, Culture & Society in 2020, Nicole already knew she wanted to work in the Netherlands after graduation. And so happened! Since June 2022 she is coordinating different marketing strategies internationally and improving the Employer Branding internally and externally at Picnic Technologies. Nicole: “I'm passionate about my role as Recruitment Communications Coordinator, because it allows me to be in close contact with our Supply Chain colleagues, while learning from top practices in the retail sector! As part of my role, I also conduct research efforts with employees to make sure our communication efforts are as effective as possible. That requires a set of skills that I was able to develop thanks to my master’s.” 

How did you land in your current role as Recruitment Communications Coordinator at Picnic Technologies?

When I was still an Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing Intern at Signify, I saw one of Picnic's adorable electrical vehicles ride in my city. It sparked my interest, so I started researching the company, their values and contribution on a societal and ecological level. Coincidentally, they were looking for someone to strengthen their Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing efforts; an area I had already fallen in love with thanks to my internship! After applying and meeting the team in person, everything was a great fit. 

What is your experience with finding a job in the Netherlands?

I decided to look for an internship right after submitting my master thesis, since I knew a company could hire me as a student intern, and then extend my contract with the orientation year visa. In that search, I felt the competition in the Marketing field was quite fierce, mainly due to my lack of professional experience, but also given that I did not speak fluent Dutch at that time. I mainly used LinkedIn to look for my roles, but I also sent open applications to companies that resonated with my personal values. The main challenge I faced, like many internationals, is that working in Communications/ Marketing often requires excellent Dutch skills. Because my mind was (and continues to be) set on surpassing that obstacle, I enrolled in Dutch lessons since I arrived three years ago, and now I can thankfully see the fruit of that effort!

In what way have extracurricular activities next to your studies helped you in your career orientation/ application process?

While I was studying, I worked different side jobs in which I had to speak Dutch. That certainly set the basis to start learning the language next to my courses with the municipality. Moreover, my internship with a very well-known Dutch company helped me gain significant insights into the Marketing field within Europe, so I definitely recommend being open to an internship as part of your study period! 

How do you feel working as an international alumna in a company in the Netherlands?

I am very fortunate to work in a very international company, while being supported by my Dutch colleagues in my journey with the Dutch language. There is always room for growth and for me to contribute from my experience living and working in other countries in Latin America.

What is your advice to international students who are seeking a job in the Netherlands? 

I would recommend that you thoroughly inform yourself about the visa possibilities offered by the government, as companies will often have more questions than answers in this regard. Also, I advise you to stay open to job opportunities outside the Randstad: competition can be less strenuous there, than in bigger cities. Besides, The Netherlands is a beautiful country, so you can also experience other sides of its culture by visiting regions like Zeeland or Limburg.

Back to school

When I was forced to work from home in 2020 (along with many others), something started to gnaw at me: I wanted to go back to school. I wanted to learn about communication and media on a more academic level and related to societal issues. That is why I decided to follow the master programme Media, Culture & Society at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). 

Looking back at my study programme, the thing I enjoyed most was the freedom we had in the choice of paper topics. This allowed me to delve deeper into material that interested me the most: related to equity and media. This interest was further sparked by the EUR Master Honours Programme: Tackling Inequalities. Through a combination of the master and honours programme I have met a lot of different interesting, friendly, and inspiring people - both the students and the staff of EUR. 

The perfect mix

At the time I was writing my thesis, I started to get slightly anxious and also excited about what to do next. When I saw the vacancy of Community Manager at the Municipality of Rotterdam, I knew straight away I wanted to apply for it. It was the perfect mix between the experience and expertise I had already gained in previous work and in the masters programme, as well as my ambitions to work for the local government and someday have a positive impact on the world. As a community manager I am responsible for the local Facebook and Instagram pages of four areas in Rotterdam. The goal is to help people in finding their way to any help they may possibly need. For instance, if they want to organise something for their neighbourhood, or if they need financial support. On the other hand, it is also key to provide content people are interested in. 

Transparent communication

Because my study programme focused so much on equity, I have learned to look at governmental communication through this perspective as well. In times of low government trust, it is up to us to communicate in a transparent way. Moreover, I want to communicate in a way that speaks to all ‘Rotterdammers’. Therefore, our aim is always to word every message as clearly as possible. The Honours Programme also helped me a lot in coming to understand the possibilities and struggles local governments have to deal with. During my time at EUR, I have learned a lot about the power of clear and transparent communication. 

After my bachelor’s graduation, I spent a year working in social media marketing and web editing for a company operating in the beauty industry. As my days in the office went by, I knew we needed to make some structural changes in our language and representation practices. Our communication strategies and materials were far from inclusive and diverse, and I constantly felt the urge to turn things around.

However, although I have always been passionate about intersectional feminism and inclusion, I didn’t feel like I had the tools to implement such changes in my work at the time. That’s why I applied to the master specialisation Media, Culture & Society at Erasmus University, and I can happily say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Research my own interests

Media, Culture & Society is everything I have hoped for: a solid, yet flexible dive into the complex workings of the media from a socio-cultural perspective. The most exciting aspect of the master specialisation is the opportunity to explore my own research interests within the structure of my studies. Every assignment, paper and essay I write allows me to use the knowledge co-produced in class with my peers and professors and apply it to real-life cases of my interest. In addition, the master specialisation is small-scale and easy to navigate as an international student. The professors speak excellent English, and the classroom is always an interesting and respectful site of intercultural exchanges. 

Favourite courses

My favourite courses so far are Media & Socio-Cultural Change, Digital Media & Cultural Identities and Television Audiences. These courses allowed me to understand how media can generate change in society, participate in better representational practices, challenge discriminatory narratives, and ultimately create more inclusive and fairer (digital) environments for everyone.

Minor difficulties

Throughout my studies at Erasmus University, I have encountered minor difficulties in getting acquainted with the research methodologies, typical of Media Studies. I had never applied any qualitative or quantitative research methods in my previous studies. Therefore, the contents of the Methods courses were new and foreign to me. However, the tutorials and professors were always very helpful, and I never felt overwhelmed by the assignments.

In addition, Media, Culture & Society is very fast paced and requires students to be on top of their deadlines at all times. That’s why time management and a good dose of organization are key to academic and personal achievements.

Future plans

My future plans (hopefully) include a PhD and a career as corporate communications director, expert in matters of diversity and inclusion.

Having done my Bachelor’s in Media Studies in my hometown of Pune, India, I always dreamed of pursuing my further education abroad. And so far, Erasmus University Rotterdam has exceeded all of my expectations.

Specifically talking about the master specialisation Media, Culture & Society, I love the holistic approach this master specialisation takes by providing students with a good theoretical foundation while giving relevant practical tools necessary for our future professional careers. This combined with the dynamic, multicultural and international-friendly environment on campus has only made my experience better and really memorable thus far.

I look forward to starting my career path in the field of media using all the knowledge I will have obtained from Media, Culture & Society and applying it in the real world. I believe calling Erasmus University as my alumnus university can only hold good things for me in the future!