'What makes the Philosophy Research Master's programme at the UvA such an outstanding postgraduate programme is the people. The philosophy department has exceptional professors from diverse fields of inquiry. These are thinkers whose pedagogical practice seems to reflect both a tremendous enthusiasm for their subject matter and a generosity of spirit. Professors are not only approachable and generous with their time but indeed supportive of and engaged with students. This openness and commitment is also reflected in the student body. Students who have come through the UvA undergraduate program have built up a remarkably vibrant community of philosophy students who discuss, debate, laugh and think together. As a foreign student, it is a very welcoming and rich environment to step into.

The combination of core courses, electives and small tutorial groups enables you to follow your own set of philosophical questions and themes but not to do so in a detached or rigid manner. There is a core programme for Research Master's students which is very demanding. You come into contact with something like a canon, while at the same time critically, historically and reflexively interrogating what a canon might be. This structure means that you cannot shy away from or maintain an ignorance of thought outside your comfort zone. In my experience, such a confrontation with the new not only deepens existing lines of inquiry but has lead me in some surprising and thrilling new directions.'