Being part of an international community in which different academic backgrounds come together is an important aspect of the programme in my opinion. This aspect also establishes social awareness, an important quality in our field.
Rodhinee Islam
International Master's in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC)
After completing my bachelor’s in criminology at Leiden University, I decided to pursue my master’s degree at EUR and UGent. It was the international dimension of the master’s programme that caught my attention at first. Being part of an international community in which different academic backgrounds come together is an important aspect of the programme in my opinion. This aspect also establishes social awareness, an important quality in our field. Now that I have completed my master, I would say that this international dimension was indeed a very valuable aspect to me.
During my second year, my thesis supervisor, Prof. Christophe Vandeviver (UGent, Crime Lab), gave me the opportunity to be part of his research team as an intern. I would say that a lot of my academic as well as personal growth was due to this opportunity. As part of the UGent Crime Lab, I actively collaborated in ongoing research projects, contributing to the team’s broader efforts. I was also responsible for designing and implementing my own independent research project, which allowed me to explore my interests in depth and apply what I learned throughout my education in a research setting. Even though I am unsure about whether I want to pursue a career in academia, this internship was a huge added value to my IMARC experience, and I am convinced that I will be able to use the skills in many other settings as well. I would recommend future students to make the most of their IMARC years through internships or part-time jobs, as I truly believe it enriches your experience.
Another important advice for future IMARC students would be to ensure a good support system. Finding a supportive supervisor and a thesis topic that you love (not just like!) would also be part of this recommendation. The pace and organisation of the programme can get tough and lonely at times. It was my support system and interest for my thesis topic that kept me going. Above all, my main tip would be to try and enjoy it a little from time to time. IMARC is an extraordinary experience that I would not have wanted to miss out on.