Christina Meller (Germany)

Educational background

I have a BA in European Studies from the University of Amsterdam. During my Bachelor’s programme I did a Minor in American Studies.

Why European Studies? 

I have always been immensely interested in Europe and the European Union. After successfully obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I realised that a Master’s diploma would improve my career prospects and help further hone my academic skills.

Has the programme met your expectations?

It has, though to be honest, I underestimated the amount of work involved. The programme is very demanding and primarily deals with the many diverse aspects of the European Union, its inner workings, the creation of a common European identity, the formulation of foreign policy, and so forth. The programme also covers various fields, such as politics, culture and history, which gives it a broad, yet specialist scope.

Another appealing aspect of the programme is the way it intimately introduces you to the institutions of the European Union. For instance, at the start of the programme our group (consisting of about 15 students) went on a fieldtrip to EU headquarters in Brussels, where we personally met members of the European Commission, who told us more about their work and current projects. Aside from increasing our knowledge of the EU, the trip also gave me and my fellow students the chance to get to know one another in a more personal capacity.

There is one more aspect about the programme which deserves mentioning: the diverse background of the students. Our group is quite heterogeneous and comprises students from Argentina, Canada, Lithuania, the US and many other countries. This diverse blend of nationalities really engenders lively classroom discussions and provides an array of different perspectives on Europe, the EU and what it means to be ‘European’. We don’t only learn from the lecturers, but also from each other.

What are your thoughts on the European Union?

In contrast to most of my fellow students, I’m really pro-EU. There’s a general tendency, both in our group and in the general populace, to always be critical of the European Union and focus predominantly on the EU's supposed failings, e.g. deficient democratic procedures, lack of transparency, bloated bureaucracy, ad nauseam. We Europeans, however, tend to forget that the EU is an ongoing project, and that like all political institutions, it requires constant remolding and reform if it is to successfully confront the challenges and needs posed by an ever-changing society. While I do not want to be overtly dismissive of people’s frustrations with the EU, I think that much of it is misplaced. Considering the current phase of EU integration and the Union’s many notable achievements, I can confidently say that I’m a loyal supporter of ‘project Europe.

Any other projects / extracurricular activities?

As I’ve mentioned, the programme is really intensive and therefore takes up a lot of my free time. Aside from studying I also work part-time and enjoy swimming whenever I get the change to do so.

What do you think about the UvA / Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is wonderful in all but one respect: it is very costly. As a Berliner, I am sometimes astonished by how expensive accommodation can be as opposed to my native city. The costliness notwithstanding, Amsterdam has innumerable unique things to offer: a buzzing nightlife, great architecture, a communal ethos of tolerance and acceptance, and a vibrant intellectual and artistic culture.

The UvA itself is a good university. It has a very transparent, open and libertarian character, and it prides itself on academic excellence in teaching and research. I really enjoy studying here. However, there is one area which the university should focus on: its administration. Enrolling for courses can sometimes be a real issue, especially if one doesn’t prepare everything in advance. This isn’t unique to the UvA, and is a problem in most, if not all, universities with a large student population. Nevertheless, the staff are always willing to assist you whenever you need help dealing with an issue.

Plans after graduating?

I had initially considered working for the EU, but now I would rather like to work in the corporate sector. The fact that I speak three European languages fluently (Dutch, German and English) and have a specialist knowledge of the European Union makes me the ideal type for a career in Dutch-German trade relations, or corporate policy-making.

Tips for new students?

As for the programme, I would advise new students to work hard and prepare for each class by reading the prescribed course materials. Also remember to participate in class, and don’t shy away from debates with your fellow students. Europe and the EU are emotive topics that evoke a cornucopia of viewpoints and opinions. Use the classroom discussions as a means of listening and learning from others. Also keep in mind that the programme is taught in English, which means that you need to be fairly fluid in the language, both as a speaker and a listener.

To conclude: if you are willing to give this programme your all, the returns will be greater than you ever imagined.