Colin on his study programme: the bachelor in Economics

Colin is a fourth-year bachelor's student in Economics. In secondary school, he put off choosing his study programme for a long time. Eventually, he found his way to Erasmus University Rotterdam and now feels completely at home on campus. He is looking forward to specialising in behavioural economics.

You said you put off choosing your study programme for a long time. How did that go?

'For a long time, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I started at mavo and then moved on to havo and vwo. I really used that time to think things through. At havo, I realised that I found economics interesting and was good at maths and arithmetic. Then I thought: maybe I should go in that direction. At first, I looked at various universities of applied sciences, but in the end I went to university via vwo.'

Why did you choose economics in Rotterdam?

'Personal stories made all the difference for me. For example, I spoke with my economics teacher, who had also studied here, and with a neighbour who had done the same course ten years earlier. They spoke enthusiastically about the programme and the atmosphere at the university. That gave me confidence. Of course, I also visited an open day myself. When I walked around here, it immediately felt right. You can read a brochure, but talking to students and lecturers really helps.'

You were still hesitating between history and economics. How did you make that decision?

'I had my doubts for a moment, but economics kept coming back to me. Not only did I find it interesting, I also had a knack for it. In the end, those personal experiences and conversations with people around me were the deciding factor. I knew: this is right for me.'

How was your first experience on campus?

'I'm from the Rotterdam area, but I still had to travel quite a distance to get here. Nevertheless, I immediately felt at home. That was due to the atmosphere on campus: almost all faculties are located here on one campus. This makes it easy to meet students from other programmes. It leads to interesting conversations and broadens your view of the world. In Leiden and other cities, the programmes are much more spread out across the city. From day one, I felt like I belonged here.'

Did you participate in activities that helped you feel at home?

'Yes, I participated in the university's Pre-Academic Programme. Here, you learn everything you need to know to start your studies well-prepared. It immediately gave me an idea of what university life is like. Not only do you learn about the subject matter, but you also meet lots of people. This allows you to quickly build up a social network. Initiatives like this really help you feel at home more quickly.'

What advice would you give to other prospective students?

'My advice: consider what you enjoy and what interests you. Also, try to think about how you can have a positive impact, either on society or simply on the people around you. In my case, this is through behavioural economics: I would like to explore how people can make healthier or better choices. If you can link your interests to a study programme that fits well with them, then I believe you are in the right place.'