Testimonial: Olga Sviridova

From the moment you first enter the building you get the impression that studying here will be anything but boring. It’s not the library or the stand with the timetable that you expect to see right at the entrance. The first thing you see is a vendor of fresh juices, an orange stall spreading the smell of oranges all around the hall. Searching for the right room may become the first adventure for the newcomers, as the building is divided into parts having fanciful Dutch names not always easy to be pronounced. However, this is a great opportunity to make new acquaintances as you can ask for help any person in Saxion and will get help for sure. 

Finally you are in the right room and the lesson starts. Of course you’ll have to get used to the new format. You can forget about such things as lectures and seminars, laboratory assignments or colloquiums. The lesson is a combination of lecturer’s introduction of the new material supported by PowerPoint slides or discussion of the practical cases. The lecturers are highly open-minded and friendly people, so never hesitate asking your questions and you will get a professional answer or... the promise to find it out to the next lesson, which will definitely be kept. 

I’m doing my studies in Saxion to pursue the bachelor degree and had a lot of time to get to know it. Saxion has a lot of exciting things to offer and it will start surprising you from the first moment when you come here. The first question that arises when a newcomer sees the building of Saxion is “What does a huge cart standing in front of the main entrance mean?” However, you don’t have time to think about it as you have to hurry up to the classes and punctuality is one of the crucial aspects for the Dutch.

A special issue is a practice of inviting guest lecturers who are professionals in the area of the studies from one of the currently operating Dutch companies. The course also includes a lot of group projects, so prepare yourself to share your ideas and work with students from all parts of the world. Besides obligatory subjects necessary for the course, the student has an opportunity to choose several disciplines in the area that he is most interested in. Thus, your knowledge completely depends on your own initiative. So be sure you are ready to work hard to get outstanding results, which by the way contradicts the Dutch norms of behavior expressed in the most common saying, “Act normal, then you’re already crazy enough”.

When it comes to the exams, be ready to study a lot, but not in the field of studying loads of theory. Most exams require an ability to apply the theory on practical cases or to express your own judgment based on the obtained knowledge. The program also implies studying during one semester in a foreign university, which means an opportunity to get to know another European or non-European country depending on your own choice and interests.

However, studying in Saxion is not only learning. Apart from meeting a lot of new friends on specially organized events such as “International parties”, you can also discover the country visiting huge fields of blossoming tulips, evaluating the taste of homemade cheese or wearing typical Dutch clogs.

The result of the studies in Saxion is the final assignment. The assignment implies working for 6 months in a company and applying your knowledge in real life. Saxion offers a great opportunity assisting in the search for international working experience with further job perspectives. Thus, for the one who is looking for new impressions, international experience and applicable professional knowledge, Saxion presents a nice opportunity to find it here and expand the horizons.