It sometimes amazes me how much culture is underestimated in psychology programmes. In many European contexts, culture is treated as an afterthought, often reduced to just one course or module.  

But culture is never just a ‘special case’. It is woven into every part of who we are, from our socioeconomic background to our gender, religion, and whether we live in urban or rural areas. It shapes how we see the world, how we think, and how we act, often without us even realising it. 

By recognising that we all participate in culture and that it influences our thoughts, feelings and actions, we begin to engage with each other in a deeper, more empathetic way.  

That's why, in this programme, we focus not only on understanding how culture and psyche interact, but also on what this means in practice. Knowing about the deep interconnectedness of culture and psyche, paired with cultural awareness and the practical skills to apply it, equips you to engage meaningfully in intercultural settings and make a difference in a wide range of careers.  

So what will you learn?  

Our approach to cultural psychology involves developing a culturally informed not-knowing stance. You begin with a solid foundation of how culture matters, but the real challenge is approaching every person and situation with genuine curiosity and openness, without falling into assumptions. Just because someone comes from a particular place doesn’t mean they’ll act in a particular way. 

This means slowing down, asking questions, and creating space for people to share stories and meanings that might otherwise remain unspoken.  

We practice this mindset in class, where the diversity of the group mirrors the global nature of cultural psychology itself. Around half of your peers will come from the Netherlands, many with migration backgrounds, while the other half will come from across Europe and beyond. This variety in perspectives will help you see the world through different cultural lenses, fostering both academic and personal growth. 

Exploring how culture shapes (and is shaped by) us 
Advanced Cultural Psychology 

I teach the course Advanced Cultural Psychology, where we explore culture as more than just values or beliefs. We use the idea of the culture cycle to examine how our institutions, practices, products and daily interactions shape our psyches, and how we shape them in return. We look at how this plays out for a range of psychological processes.  

At the same time, you’ll engage in experiential activities that challenge you to reflect on your own cultural background while fostering curiosity about others’ backgrounds. 

Putting Cultural Psychology into practice 
Applied Cultural Psychology 

In one of the other courses, Applied Cultural Psychology, you will then apply cultural psychology to real-world issues like discrimination, radicalisation, physical and mental health, education, and the workplace. You’ll learn how to design culturally sensitive interventions that work. 

Each week, you’ll collaborate in small groups, following a step-by-step model to analyse a real-world problem and develop a practical solution. You’ll also go on field trips to see firsthand how cultural psychology is applied in different social institutions and professional settings. 

My advice for you 

The programme is intense and immersive, but the intellectual growth and personal insights you gain are worth it. Don’t be discouraged if it feels overwhelming at first. Give yourself time to adjust to the new intellectual environment. It takes time for everything to ‘click’. 

I encourage you to fully immerse yourself in the community here. The diversity of your peers is one of the greatest assets of the programme. You’ll learn not only from your professors but also from the rich, varied cultural experiences shared by your classmates. 

Above all, remember that cultural psychology is a lifelong journey. This programme is just the beginning. By the end of the year, you may not have all the answers, but you will have the tools to keep exploring and the confidence to keep asking the right questions.  

Trust that the insights will come when they’re ready.