Student Story – Smaranda

This week’s student experience tells the story of Smaranda. You might already know her from the student tour at ood.wur.nl

Hi Smaranda, please introduce yourself!

“My name is Smaranda, I am 20 years old and I am coming from Romania. I have been in Wageningen for 2 years now, studying the Bachelor’s International Land and Water Management.”

When did you first hear about WUR? And why did you chose for WUR?

“I first heard about WUR the summer before my last year of high school. After that, I started looking more into it and I found the courses very interesting. I liked the interdisciplinarity, this is what made me choose my programme, Also, it was the first year WUR offered the programme in English so I thought this is the sign haha!”

What was your motivation for choosing your programme?

“I grew up spending my summers at my uncle’s farm and hiking in the mountains, so I always felt connected to nature. Therefore, I wanted to study that, to learn more about the environment and how I can help to protect it.

As I said, I chose my programme because of interdisciplinarity. It is very diverse and practical. I liked that it combines science with technical and social aspects. Also, I liked the fact that it is international and it looks at the whole world, not only at a specific place.”

Which part of your study do you find the most interesting?

“I like the combination. I like that after a technical course, we have a social one or the other way around. It just keeps me interested, as it is always something new.”

Do you already know where you see yourself working in the future?

“Not really. I am quite an indecisive person. I find too many things interesting and I cannot choose. I still have time though, I will figure it out along the way.”

And where do you live? What do you like about this place?

“Now I live in a student house, renting a room in Rijnveste. I really like the atmosphere, it feels like coming home. I like the mix, we are all studying/doing different things.”

What do you do besides studying?

“I am doing a board year at Wageningen Student Farm, which I really enjoy, as I like being outside and work in the garden. I like trying out new things and I always end up having all my afternoons busy somehow, even if it is chilling with friends, going to an interesting lecture or working on projects.”

How do you experience the international atmosphere on campus?

“Well, because my course started for the first year completely in English it is not yet that ‘international’, but I feel welcomed between the Dutchies.

On the other hand, the campus is international. I met people from all around the world with great stories and backgrounds, which makes me like Wageningen so much! You meet people just by going to activities you find interesting and by trying out new things.”

What do you think about the campus, what is your favourite spot and why?

“I love that it is so green and that every time the sun is out, the whole University comes to chill outside. Also, you always meet friends everywhere you go, which sometimes makes is nice, but it can also be a bit hard for me to study at University.

I don’t have a favourite spot on Campus. I spend a lot of time at the Spot during lunchtime. I like the atmosphere, but sometimes it can be too crowded for me. I like the Gaia Building. I sometimes study there, as the library doesn’t really work for me.”

Also, do you have a favorite spot in the city?

“In the city, I love Bagels and Beans just because it happened to go there for special occasions, so I kind of have a soft spot for it. Otherwise, there are nice hidden green spots where you can chill on grass, but be careful to not chill exactly on the only place the dogs can poop!”

What do you think about student life in Wageningen?

“It is diverse. From nice afternoon workshops, student association to parties. You have quite some things to discover as an international student, but I think as a dutch student as well.”

In what way does living in the Netherlands differ from your home country?

“It differs in terms of organising. Here, everything is well taught about and organized, but sometimes I just miss the chaos back home.”

What do you like the most about studying and living in the Netherlands?

“I think it is amazing you can just get into a train and go to another city for a night, just like that!
I like that you can visit the Netherlands so easily. Also, I like the community of Wageningen, I don’t know if it is like that in other cities, but Wageningen brings people from all around the world together from whom you can learn a lot, just by getting to know them.”

Every 2 weeks I talk to a fellow student about studying at Wageningen University & Research. I would like to know how they experience studying here, especially since we are all far away from home.

Do you have a question about studying in Wageningen? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Or sign up for the updates to receive the next student experience.