Fleur: “I don’t think much about what I will be able to earn later”

What has your life been like since you graduated? We asked this question to four new Tilburg University alumni. They talk about their studies and motives, the tail end of the coronavirus time and their plans for the future. This week: Fleur Hasebos (22) Master’s student in Communication and Cognition. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, Fleur wanted to do development work in South Africa. However, now she is back attending lectures.

“My interest in development work started in high school. I received bilingual education and an international internship in the fifth grade. A teacher with South African origin wanted to introduce a group of students to his native country. There was an application procedure, and, to my great joy, I was allowed to come along.”

“During that trip, I saw real poverty for the first time; that was intense. But at the same time, I also experienced how sincere people can be. When asked how I was doing, they really wanted to know the answer. Africa conquered my heart.”

Breathing space

“After high school, I went back as a volunteer. Helping people, tackling poverty and inequality. I found out in those months that I wanted to continue working for them. So I was looking for a study program in that area.

“I chose the Bachelor’s in Global management of social issues at Tilburg University. An interesting but also tough study program. I felt a lot lighter when I got my degree this summer. The logical next step was a Master’s degree, but not for me.

You get a little crazy if you spend all your time in a student room on your own

“I needed breathing space from the university and wanted to go back to South Africa to do development work. Working, traveling, and discovering, and only then see what further studies would be appropriate.

“It was different because of the coronavirus outbreak. It didn’t seem smart to go. In hindsight a good choice, because the country has been in lockdown for a long time.”

Wicked problems

“At the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, I was very restless. During the Bachelor’s, we often talked about ‘wicked problems,’ complex problems with a high uncertainty factor. I thought, this is the moment, now you can do something!

“Through the volunteer organization ‘Serve the City,’ I ended up at ‘ONS Soepje’. ONS Soepje (Dutch only) delivers a bowl of soup and a meal to people who need it in Tilburg. I helped with cooking and delivery and eventually I coordinated the delivery volunteers.

“It was so much fun to be among people again. You get a little crazy if you spend all your time in a student room on your own anyway. Besides that, it was nice to work for people who are having a hard time in Tilburg”.

Studying again

“At the end of the summer I decided to go back to the university after all. Working at home and abroad is complicated because of the coronavirus situation. Since I’m still in the flow of a lot of studying and sitting behind a desk, it might even better that I go on for a Master’s degree immediately.

“I chose Communication and Cognition. In Tilburg, because I didn’t want to start all over again for a year. I think communication is very important in the field in which I want to work. Moreover, you can select your own course combinations, which gives me control over my studies, I like that.

I always thought that, after my studies, I would live and work abroad. Now, I’m not so sure anymore

“I chose both my Bachelor’s and Master’s out of interest and based on feeling. The chance for a job was not a consideration. I believe that if you really want something and you are committed to it, you will eventually find a job that fits.

“I don’t think much about what I can earn later either. My peers are often more concerned with that. If you want a house or family in the future, income is not unimportant, of course. That realization is starting to come more and more now.”

The Netherlands as Home base

“I always thought I would live and work abroad after my studies. Now, I’m not so sure anymore. I want to find out if I can find a job in the Netherlands after all, with which I can go abroad for a few months once in a while.

“Now that I am taking a Master’s degree here and am building something up, I realize that it is complicated to live your life in two countries. You put yourself in a difficult position when you have to find a balance between two ‘homes’.”

“What will my life be like in a year’s time? Then I’ll still be studying. I plan to let my Master’s degree take a little longer than the year it takes. First, I will focus on passing all courses. They are so much fun that I like to take my time. After that I hope to be able to write my thesis at a nice Dutch development organization.

“I also want to spend time on personal development and career orientation. The university offers a lot in that area, but I haven’t had much time for that yet. I want to take advantage of those opportunities. This is the year in which that is still possible.”

Also read the stories of Nick and Beatrix in the series: (Just) Graduated, now what?

Translated by Language Center, Riet Bettonviel

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