Jack van den Berg, Alumnus MA European Studies

The Master's in European Studies at Maastricht University was the most obvious step for me to gain more experience in the field of Political Science with a focus on the European Union. My bachelor at Zuyd Hogeschool gave me many practical tools useful for my future career, but I felt it lacked depth. Fortunately for me, there is a pre-master's program that allowed me to catch up with the level of knowledge needed to do the master's at the university level. During the program, I chose the Public Policy and Administration specialization because I am most interested in the internal machinery of the EU, especially how the various cogs are set in motion in response to each other. Perhaps the most useful aspect of this program, but often overlooked, is the ability to choose your own topics in all essays and projects. This allowed me to focus my attention on my topic: digital policy. This flexibility of the Master's helped me tremendously in the application process. You are never expected to have extensive knowledge of what you are working on, but because I had done research during the Master's on the topics the job was about, I stood out among the 200 applicants. I wasn't just another political science student with an understanding of the EU.

Instead, I was able to discuss policy topics they were working on and give input on possible future developments.Aside from the flexibility, the master's program is also a very social program.As I spoke with cohorts before and after me, I realized how unique it is to form a close bond with others in the master's.This helps share job openings, tips for recruitment and provides a wide network for a greater chance of recruitment.