Go to open days, talk to students and don’t be afraid to reach out to people yourself.
Katja Rasha
Double Master Student
Katja is studying for two master’s degrees at Erasmus University Rotterdam: the part-time master in Health Care Management and the master in Pedagogical Sciences. After completing her bachelor programme in Health Sciences, she decided to combine her interests.
You’re doing two master degrees at the same time. How did you come to make that decision?
''I’ve always been drawn to youth care,' says Katja. 'During my bachelor programme, I realised I missed the practical side of working with children, even though I also find the policy and management aspects of the care sector really fascinating. Instead of having to choose, I decided to combine those two worlds.''
Why not choose one of the two master programmes?
Katja did consider that option but kept coming up against the same issue. ''In one master programme, I felt the practical component was missing; in the other, it was the in-depth analysis of the healthcare systems underpinning it. By combining the two master programmes, they complement each other.''
Did you have any doubts when making that decision?
''Definitely. I wondered whether the scope of two master programmes might be too broad and whether it was actually feasible to do two master programmes at the same time', she says. 'It’s tough and requires good planning skills, especially as you’re dealing with different faculties. At the same time, it also felt like quite a definitive choice, and that put quite a bit of pressure on me. But looking back, I’m really glad I chose to do two master programmes.''
How did you navigate your way around?
''Open days have been really valuable to me. They give you a better sense of the course, the lecturers and the atmosphere. I also spoke to people who were already studying for their master degrees. That contact – both during open days and through my own network – really helped me decide whether it was the right fit for me.''
What makes these master programmes such a good fit for you?
''In terms of content, I think the combination is really strong,'' explains Katja. ''In Pedagogical Sciences, I’m learning how to support children and families in practice. In Health Care Management, I’m learning exactly how healthcare systems work and why not everything is possible. By combining the two, I can better respond to what families need. I’m learning a lot about how best to help people in vulnerable situations, which makes it personal. It motivates me to make a real contribution to improvement.''
Why study at Erasmus University Rotterdam?
Katja describes the campus as "a village in its own right". ''Everything is close by and easy to navigate. I find the lecturers knowledgeable and committed. They really do take student feedback seriously. That’s been my experience at both faculties.'' The fact that she was already living in Rotterdam and had built up her social life here also played a part in her decision.
What advice would you give to future master students?
''If you’re unsure about a dual master degree: give it a go,'' says Katja. ''You can always drop out of one of the two, but not trying means you might be missing out on something that really suits you.'' She also recommends taking the initiative to start conversations. ''Go to open days, talk to students and don’t be afraid to reach out to people yourself, for example through your network or LinkedIn. It’s those personal stories that ultimately make the difference.''