FASoS - alumni

In this short video Shaun Matsheza talks about how the Media Studies programme prepared him for his future career. Shaun is editor at WAZAONLINE.com in the Netherlands.

 Video Shaun Matsheza

Maria Neicu, alumna of the FASoS master's programme ESST talks about her experience with the programme and how it helped her with her future career. Maria works as Knowledge Manager at Spencer Stuart in Amsterdam.

  Video Maria Neicu

This video is a short interview with Simone Leimbach, Master Arts and Heritage alumnus.  She talks about her master’s experience and about her current job at Kulturprojekte Berlin.

  Video Simone Leimbach

Veerle Spronck, Alumna Master's programme Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology shares her experiences about the programme. She now works as a PhD Candidate at FASoS. In this video she talks about her "Life after FASoS".

 Video Veerle Spronck 

In this video Dani Shanley shares her experience with the programme and talks about her position as a PhD Candidate at FASoS

 Video Dani Shanley

In this short video Kaatje Lomme, bachelor Arts & Culture graduate, tells you more about her experience at FASoS and how her study helped her in her career. Kaatje is project manager at he University College London.

 Video Kaatje Lomme 

This video is a short interview with Hiemke van den Boer, Master Arts and Heritage alumnus. Hiemke talks about her master’s experience and about her current job at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague.

 Video Hiemke van den Boer 

Leverage problem based learning to become a mover & shaker in international careers!
As Maastricht University graduate student, I often struggled with PBL, group work and the free rider phenomenon. Beginning my career, I quickly realised that I was open-minded, flexible, and well adapted to the fast-paced international work environment. Mastering the art of efficient and solution driven problem solving, I became a sought-after team member in Brussels, Berlin and Beijing. Ten years on, I am the Director of an international business school in Shanghai. I juggle a multitude of cross-cultural challenges on a daily basis. Living in China’s business metropolis, I am often reminded of my early days of international exposure in Maastricht. Today I am happy to call the Oriental Pearl my home.
Maximilian Rech (German) is Programme Director and Assistant Professor in International Affairs at the ESSCA School of Management in Shanghai, China

After three years of European Studies as a Bachelor student, I was still fascinated by the process of European integration. The Research Master’s programme in European Studies did not only provide me with further knowledge regarding the many questions I had, but also taught me how to do research on my own: it helped me to transform some vague curiosity about certain aspects of European integration into concrete research questions and made me familiar with the relevant theoretical approaches as well as the methodological tools needed to address them. Having to hand in a research paper every eight weeks was challenging, but it made me used to the regular ups and downs of an individual research cycle. Equipped with the skills and knowledge from the RMES, I was then able to enter and complete the doctoral programme of the Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences. The integration of the Research Master in European Studies in the Double Degree Programme with the University of Cologne allowed me to also experience another system of higher education. Decades of European integration notwithstanding, the acquaintance of a German degree in addition to the Dutch one can facilitate certain administrative matters later on, as I have experienced myself when taking up work in Germany.
While research and teaching in my current position at the Chair for Governance of Complex and Innovative Technological Systems at the University of Bamberg is not directly concerned with European Studies, I still benefit from the experience at my Alma Mater: I teach using Problem-based learning, can get to grips with new topics independently, and am working in an international team.
Martin Wirtz (German) works as a Research Fellow at the Akademischer Rat of the University of Bamberg, Germany
 

I chose Maastricht University because of its international character, innovative ways of teaching, and the charming city in which it is located. After 5 years of studies, I had completed the Bachelor European Studies and Master European Public Affairs, and spent 2 exciting semesters living and studying in Edinburg and Vermont. Maastricht also offered me the opportunity to work as a student assistant and to be the student-representative in the Faculty Board during one year.
The concept of representation stuck with me also after graduation, as I started working in Brussels to an interest representative, or lobbyist, for BusinessEurope and later on Siemens.  Since 2016, I am part of the Business Development & Strategy team at Siemens Mobility in Munich. Both cities boast an impressive network of UM-alumni! Many of the skills that were taught at Maastricht University are still essential in my work today. Writing concisely and well structured, for example, or presenting to smaller and larger audiences. Having received courses in law, economy, politics and history, I also benefit tremendously from the ability to look at problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.  
Thank you Maastricht University & all the best for the future!
Anka Lisa Schild (Dutch) is Senior Advisor for Business Development & Strategy at Siemens Mobility, München, Germany

I decided to study at Maastricht University because of the good references about the quality of the studies. At first, I didn't know what the research master's programme would be like, I was tempted by the focus on research methods and the option to have a Double Degree at the University of Cologne. From the first day onwards it was very clear that this is a demanding, well thought out programme and that students can influence the development with their feedback and suggestions. I have studied at four different universities and Maastricht University is by far the best one in terms of quality, personal approach, modern and progressive outlook and the overall environment.
In parallel to my studies I had the pleasure to work as a student assistant and participated in and excellence programme (PREMIUM), organised by Maastricht University to set-up the first debate between the candidates for the presidence of the European Commission. After my graduation I did an internship in TEPSA Research network in Brussels. Later on I started a position in the European Commission in a project called "Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information", which is what I am currently doing.
My experience at Maastricht University directly and indirectly enabled me to pursue my chosen career in many ways. The general knowledge on EU institutions and policy making in combinaiton with practical skills form a perfect base and allows confidence to take big steps forward in my career. I am absolutely satisfied and happy about my choice to study at Maastricht University.
Lelde Cukure (Latvian) works at the Business Project Management office of the European Commission, Brussels

Being the most international university in The Netherlands, Maastricht University is the perfect starting point for pursuing a career without borders. It was only when I started working in the European Parliament that I fully realised how much I benefited from my years of studying European Studies in Maastricht. During the Masters programme you study the European Union in a diverse, exciting and multidimensional way. You learn how to quickly switch between different policy fields, be open-minded and flexible. But equally important, you learn how to cooperate in an international and truly multicultural environment. It is such skills and experiences that are invaluable for any person with international ambitions.

Jeroen Lenaers (Dutch) is a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium

As a Ukrainian student about to obtain a BA in Law degree with a specialisation in international and European law, I was looking for a study programme that would allow me to learn more about the politics side of things. MA in European Studies with an IR focus was exactly that. The fact that the programme was in English and supported through scholarships for non-EU nationals also played a role in my choice.
Looking back, it has been a decision crucial for my professional formation: through my studies in Maastricht, I was reassured of my motivation and ambition to work in an interdisciplinary way and in an international environment. A year after graduating, I started my PhD in International Relations at the University of Kent (UK), working on the EU rule of law promotion policy in Ukraine. Having completed my PhD, I started working as a post-doctoral assistant at the Centre for EU Studies, Ghent University (Belgium), where I continued with my research and contributed to teaching in UGent’s Master in European Studies programme. And just this summer I have been awarded an FWO post-doctoral fellowship to realise another interdisciplinary project: on culture in EU external relations.
Almost 10 years “after Maastricht”, I am still in touch with many of my then teachers and fellow-students, as friends, or colleagues, or both.  
Olga Burlyuk (Ukranian) is FWO Post-doctoral Fellow at Ghent University, Belgium

In choosing the Masters in European Public Affairs, I was anticipating an international atmosphere, a good grounding for a career in EU affairs, and an opportunity to study in a beautiful city literally at the crossroads of Europe. From the first day, it was clear that I had not been mistaken. There were around 15 different nationalities in our group of 30, and I was the only Brit. This was the first time I had experienced such an international environment in a classroom. Our class camaraderie was a source of great enjoyment and has led to lifelong friendships. The varied course incorporated both group and individual work and, coupled with the superb learning facilities offered by the university, ensured that we were kept on our toes, and it encouraged us to explore beyond the standard course materials. I particularly enjoyed the EU element of the course, and I have good reason to be grateful for the stage at the end of the year – I was selected to spend my stage at Grayling in Brussels, a leading Public Affairs & Communications consultancy - and guess what? 12 years later I’m still there! From stagiaire to Director - without Maastricht, this would not have happened.
Robert Francis is Director Political Affairs and Public Relations at Grayling, Brussels, Belgium