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Jo Ritzen awards scholarship
Prof. Dr Jo Ritzen officially awarded the Jo Ritzen scholarship, which he established, to Thaïs Gautry last week. This will...Read more
Last year, Eva Despesse, Ruben Marchal, and Aylin Güney received the Jo Ritzen scholarship to study at Maastricht University. What do they think of their studies? What have been the highlights so far? And what would they like to say to other future students who may also receive a scholarship?
“Studying at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) suits me very well. It differs in many ways from the opportunities I had in France, my home country. That is also why I chose to study in Maastricht. I have learned a lot about my own abilities and how I can make progress. A highlight for me was the moment I had the chance to choose a specialisation. I chose Economics and Management of Information. This choice has made my studies even more enjoyable because it is a subject that really appeals to me, and the courses are interesting.
I would also like to add that Maastricht University handled the COVID-19 crisis exceptionally well and ensured that education continued as normally as possible.
After my bachelor’s, I would like to continue my studies and pursue a master’s degree. Thanks to my positive experiences at SBE, I have chosen to do my master’s in Maastricht, in the same field as my current studies. By staying in Maastricht, I hope to improve my English, a skill I consider very important for my future career.
What would I like to say to future students who may receive a scholarship? This scholarship has helped me enormously to pursue my studies. Additionally, I felt genuinely supported by the UM Scholarship Office throughout my entire time at university; they regularly checked in to see how I was doing and if they could help in any way.”
“I really enjoy my studies so far, and I find them very educational. The courses exceed my expectations. In the first year, the focus was mainly on laying a solid foundation to understand the different parts of a business. This was very helpful because at secondary school I mostly focused on science subjects. In the second year of International Business, students are expected to use and apply the knowledge they have gained in a meaningful and in-depth way.
What I really like about the course is the balance between theoretical concepts and practical application. The theoretical parts are always applied to real-life situations. This makes it easier to understand concepts and also makes the courses more interesting. In every course, students are expected to give presentations or write reports. This helps us gain more insight into how theory is implemented in business. For example, I have already used the knowledge I gained in the Finance course when investing in the stock market. Because we have to give presentations so often, I have also become much more confident when speaking in front of a group.
The problem-based learning (PBL) system with regular exams ensures that we can focus well on the courses we are currently taking. It also helps us maintain that focus throughout the block. The short time between the tutorial groups and the exam guarantees that the work you put into the tutorials directly translates into a better exam grade. I’m naturally a shy person, and this motivated me to actively participate in my tutorial groups.
The freedom that comes with a maximum of 10 contact hours per week is very valuable. In my case, this allowed me to reasonably balance basketball, weightlifting, studying, and a social life. You can organise your timetable yourself, so you can choose to study at times that suit you best.
The lecturers in my programme have made an exceptional effort to adapt to the pandemic. In some courses, exams using proctoring software were replaced by essay assignments, and in others, the assessment system was adjusted for online tutorial groups. The way tutorial groups are organised has also changed. Breakout teams of 4 or 5 students are often used instead of the usual groups of 15. This made learning in an online environment easier.
When I started this programme, I wasn’t sure which field I wanted to specialise in for my future career. The International Business course has given me the space to gain knowledge of different business sectors, providing me with a good overview of my options for the future. When I do choose a specialisation, I will still know a lot about other sectors, which will be useful in my future career!”
“At the start of the academic year, I had the chance to attend in-person classes on campus. This really helped me get to know problem-based learning and the city. I especially enjoyed my time in the library and around town. I didn’t feel like I missed out on much of the ‘college experience’. Now that classes are fully online, there are new challenges, such as staying focused and productive during self-study. Knowing that remote education is the best choice from a health perspective, I try to make the most of it and stay positive.
Another highlight of my studies has been passing my exams. Throughout the year, I realised that my programme fits well with my expectations and future plans. I have always wanted to gain global knowledge of law in an international environment. The experience I am gaining at European Law School is preparing me for a master’s degree and will help me later to practise law at both national and international levels. The Jo Ritzen Scholarship helps me stay focused on my goal of graduating. The scholarship is very meaningful to me, not only because it eases financial burdens but also because it motivates me to stay on the right path.
I would advise all future scholarship recipients to stay true to themselves and be authentic. I recommend everyone choose a course that best matches their ambitions for the future. Fortunately, there are various scholarships available to study at Maastricht University. Different scholarships cater to different student profiles, based on nationality and programme of study. I would encourage everyone to apply early and keep an eye on the deadlines. And of course, I wish everyone the best of luck!”
As you may know, the University Fund Limburg/SWOL awards various scholarships to students of Maastricht University (UM). In this context, we collaborate with a wide range of organisations and private benefactors. Applications for scholarships for the academic year 2021-2022 are now open on the UM website.
We would like to introduce you to some of the current scholarship recipients; in this edition: Ruben Marchal, Eva Despesse, and Aylin Güney, who have all been awarded the Jo Ritzen Scholarship.
The Jo Ritzen Scholarship is intended for French ‘pioneer students’. Since last year, the primary focus of this scholarship has been students wishing to study the LLB European Law School programme at the Faculty of Law. In addition, there are several other scholarships available for students who want to study at the School of Business and Economics.
You can find more information about this scholarship on the UM website.
