Studentenverhaal Naomi

Hi everyone, I am Naomi de Kort, currently 22 years old, and I have just graduated from BTO! I am currently working at a surf camp in Portugal for a total of 2 months, as my summer job/ holiday. After this experience I will study the Japanese language in Japan, as I am half Japanese and half Dutch. I am extremely interested in getting to know the other half of my genes, and to also internally get to know an incredibly unique culture, as distinct cultures is what I am interested in the most.  

I first heard about BTO through someone I met who was studying the programme at the time. I was immediately hooked about the combination of sustainability and tourism, as it is extremely important for the world we live in today.  

The moment I was sure that BTO would be the right education for me, is after I visited the open day in Buas. I really liked the personal feeling of the programme: the lecturers all seemed very approachable, the classrooms are small, and all the students emphasized the personal connections students make in this programme, and how much all the lecturers want to give personalized help and support. At the time I was doubting if I wanted to do a HBO, but then I realized that BTO is very practical for a WO programme, which was another major factor for me to eventually choose this programme to study.  

I doubted between many different studies, but Communication and Life Sciences (Wageningen), Anthropology (Utrecht), and International Development (Wageningen) were the last ones standing (besides from BTO obviously). The reasons I stated above about the personal connections and the practical characteristics of the education, were the main reasons to eventually choose BTO.

I really like the broad subjects we got during the study programme. I liked the mix between social, economic, and environmental sciences, which are well balanced in my opinion. What I think is a strong aspect of the programmes organization of the courses, is that as the years go by, we focus increasingly on policies, and how we eventually can foster change. It was remarkably interesting to learn how we as individuals can have an impact on this world, and in changing tourism for the better.  

I quickly realized my main interests and personal skills lie in cultures and people (social skills). Combining this with how important environmental sustainability is, I was motivated to find a thesis topic that would include these aspects. I also love to travel, so I wanted to combine traveling in my thesis in one way or another, and I finally came up with the topic of Couchsurfing, and the role of environmental sustainability within Couchsurfing. I also went Couchsurfing myself, in Copenhagen. After my year of studying Japanese, I am planning to do a master in the direction of communication, anthropology, or international development (thus my interests are still pretty much the same, only that I am now more sure and confident to go in this direction).  

I think I learned the most during the IFP, as we had to find out a lot ourselves, and had to go out of our comfort zones and talk to local people ourselves. I also found the results of our research very interesting, which made it extra fun. Other than the IFP, I really liked the Sociology course, and the courses related to planning and designing policies in the second and third year.  

I love to hang out with my friends and family as much as possible. A lot of my friends are spread out around the world and the country, so I try to make as much time as possible to travel to be able to see them and live life to the fullest by having as many experiences as possible. As a person, I am someone who is constantly searching for ways to challenge myself, and to put myself out of my comfort zones, because I think that is how I feel the most alive. I also love to meet as many different people as possible, because I find people extremely fascinating, and I enjoy learning from them and having a good time with them.

Other than this, I love to play tennis, table tennis, surf, dance, sing, play the drums, and go to events!

The first 2 years of BTO are situated in Breda, and the third in Wageningen. Moreover, the first half of the third year consists of a minor which can be done anywhere, which I did in Portugal. The half a year we had in Wageningen, I chose to stay at my parent’s house. Therefore, I have not experienced the student life in Wageningen that much. Even though I have not experienced it for myself, I have only heard good stories from friends who have experienced it. I think what makes the student life special in Wageningen, is because it is such a small place, that once you are in it, you will get to know so many people very quickly. Additionally, the bubble is also filled with many internationals, which creates a fantastic opportunity to make friends who come from all around the world.

What I do know, and due to experiencing it myself, is the student life in Breda. Breda is situated in the South of the Netherlands, which is known for its’ “gezelligheid”, as the Dutch say. This basically means that people in the South love to be social with each other, are always in for a drink, and that the overall atmosphere is warmer than in other regions of the country. I have to say, the city and student life feels exactly like this. On almost every night there is a party in town, or you will find people who want to have a drink or just a fun chat. The city also organizes many events, with the jazz festival being my personal favorite. The campus is also very cute, and especially the building where BTO has its classes is special: an old cathedral. I would recommend studying in Breda to anyone, as I really had such an amazing time living there.