Stella, from Germany, came to Roskilde University in Denmark to achieve her ambitious goal of studying a Master's degree abroad.
We asked Stella a few questions about how she found her university, how she decided to apply, and what she likes most about her international experience. We hope Stella's journey will also inspire you to look for your dream Bachelor's or Master's degree abroad.
What is your name? How old are you? Where are you from?
My name is Stella Bücker, I am 24 years old and I’m from Germany.
Where are you studying right now: university and country, academic level
I am doing my Master in International Public Administration and Politics at Roskilde University in Denmark.
How did you decide to study abroad?
I have already spent a semester abroad at St. Andrews in Scotland and I really enjoyed to study in an international environment.
Living and studying together with people from different cultural backgrounds gives you the opportunity to learn a lot about yourself and it makes you more open-minded towards other views of the world.
How did you decide what academic subject you wanted to study?
I studied Political Sciences in my Bachelor’s and did a gap year after I graduated to gain practical experiences.
During that time, I found that I wanted to link the theoretical knowledge from my Bachelor with current political issues to make it more profitable for society. It was therefore not far seeking to put my focus on the public service and international institutions, without losing the political focus in my studies.
The Master in International Public Administration and Politics at Roskilde University offered a perfect balance between the two fields. Moreover, it provided the opportunity to specialize in different policy areas for my career.
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How did you look for a university abroad? Why did you decide on this one?
I decided to study at Roskilde University in Denmark since it was one of the only universities that offered a Master’s degree with a combination of administration and politics, under affordable conditions.
I have also been on holiday in Denmark several times before. I was, therefore, familiar with the Danish culture and geography.
What are three things you like most at your university?
- Roskilde University provides a very social study environment. The students support each other and share their knowledge. Thereby the whole group is getting better.
- The project orientated learning.
- The close contact with the professors and their support and interest in the improvement of their students.
Describe the teaching style, classes, extra activities and facilities provided by your university.
The teaching style is very critical and open-minded. The goal is to challenge each other, instead of teaching a fixed view on things. The classes are very interactive and questions are always welcome.
Project work is an important cornerstone of the learning philosophy at Roskilde University and our degree has a specialized focus on hands-on experiences.
For instance, we did a study trip to Brussels and spent one day at the European Environmental Agency in Copenhagen.
What do you like most about the country you’re studying in?
I love the Nordic culture and the green heart of Copenhagen. You can enjoy the spirit of an open-minded capital close to the sea without getting lost in an anonymous metropolis.
You can easily meet fellow students in the street while discovering the city by bike. All these characteristics helped me to make Copenhagen my second home.
What are your plans after graduating?
I want to find a job in Copenhagen.