Aren Roukema (Canada)

Educational background

I have a BA in English Literature from Trinity Western University. 

Why the Research Master’s in Religious Studies?

With my Bachelor’s successfully completed, I wanted to do a more interdisciplinary Master’s programme; one that encapsulated several subject fields within the humanities and offered a comparative, analytical approach as opposed to one specific academic focus. I had also always wanted to study in the Netherlands owing to my Dutch ancestry – both my parents are Dutch Canadians – and started scanning Dutch universities for a suitable programme. My search eventually led me to the Master’s in Religious Studies at the UvA, which wasn’t only taught exclusively in English, but also focused on a subject that I feel is a hugely underappreciated force in the world.

As citizens of secularised Western societies we underestimate the importance of religion in the rest of the world. We also have a very narrow, orthodox view of what religion is. In the Religious Studies programme you come to realise that the appellation ‘religious’ encompasses an abundance of meanings and that even people who refer to themselves as secular, still encounter religious modes of being in society and join groups that act as substitutes for religious membership. The programme has taught me that although these types of people seek experiences that might not be viewed as religious in our day and age, those very same experiences were actually deemed as such in the past.  

Has the programme met your expectations?

Yes it has, although I have to admit that I didn’t know what to expect. I initially enrolled in the one-year Master’s programme, which turned out to be such a success, that I decided to continue my studies within the Research Master’s programme Religious Studies.

What I really appreciate about the programme is our department’s small size, which allows for a more personal relationship between students and academic staff. This close, relatively informal relationship differs from many neoliberal North American universities, where lectures are given by PhDs and students hardly ever have any contact with their professors. At Religious Studies the academic staff are closely involved in the programme and play an important role in inculcating an analytical, more research-based mindset in the participating students.

As a researcher in training, I truly value the lecturers’ input and assistance in my continuous academic development.   

As a student of religious belief, would you call yourself religious?

No, but I wouldn’t call myself atheist either. Although I am not an active believer, I tend to shy away from atheism, which to my mind is a very definitive position on something for which no definitive answer exists. I prefer a state of openness toward ideas that we call ‘religious’ as I am not willing to negate or reject the beliefs and opinions of a majority of this planet’s inhabitants. I try to remain open to new experiences and opinions, and to avoid a purely dualistic approach to metaphysical questions. In my role as a student of Religious Studies, I find it beneficial to avoid adhering to a single belief pattern.

Any other projects / extracurricular activities?

Although the programme takes up a fair bit of my time, I nonetheless try to soak up as much of the city as possible. Aside from the many cultural events on offer, I also enjoy Amsterdam’s café life and regularly meet up with fellow students and friends. 

What do you think about the UvA / Amsterdam?

I love Amsterdam, which perfectly embodies the best of both city and village life. I also appreciate the relatively little vehicle traffic, which – coming from a continent with an automotive tradition - I feel tends to destroy a city’s vibe. In Amsterdam the public transport is of such a high standard that one does not even need a car.

As for the University, I have very little to complain about. The classes are intimate, the sphere informal and the overall quality of education and teaching very high. In short: I am happy with my decision to study here.   

Plans after graduating?

While I still don’t have any definitive plans for the future, I am definitely interested in pursuing a PhD.

Tips for new students?

Work hard, be structured and try to learn as much as possible. The programme has a lot to offer; make use of it. Also remember to soak up as much of Amsterdam as possible, and take the time to meet new people and make friends.