European Languages and Cultures

Hello! My name is Lana Fahham, and I am 19 years old. I am currently in my second year of the European Languages and Cultures Bachelor’s programme. I am taking English as my major language and following both the Language & Society and the Culture & Literature profiles. In my free time, I enjoy reading English books and watching movies or series, as well as spending time with friends.

Why European Languages and Cultures?

I chose this programme because it is quite broad. I have always been interested in different languages, cultures, and literature. I found everything I like and enjoy within this programme. It was quite hard for me to choose what I wanted to study and what suited my interests, but when I visited the Open Day of ELC, I just knew that this programme was the perfect fit for me. There is so much variation and options to choose from regarding languages, subjects, and profiles. Aside from choosing a major language and main profile, you can also take courses in a second language or profile. The three profiles are: Politics & Society, Language & Society, and the Culture & Literature. I found the last two suited me perfectly, because they go in hand with my hobbies and interests. Due to the huge variation within this programme, you do not only develop a broad and critical perspective on Europe, but on the entire world. Hence, the broadness of this programme leads to many opportunities within and after your studies, which is exactly what I wanted.

Read about Lana and why she chose to studie European Language and Culture in Groningen!

Questions? Send Lana an e-mail!

Hello! My name is Alina Staniloiu and I am an international student from Romania. Currently, I am in my second year of European Languages and Cultures, with European Language and Society as my major profile. Additionally, I am studying two foreign languages, Spanish as major language and French as minor language.

I am also a student of the Honours College programme and the vice-chair of the seventh faction of Letteren Vooruit, a party that represents the students of the Faculty of Arts within the Faculty Council. When it comes to my free time, I love to spend time with my friends, and when I am not with them, you can find me biking around the city.

Why European Languages and Cultures?

Ever since I was in primary school, I was inclined towards the linguistic sphere, at first, being more interested in the structural aspects of languages. Later on, I discovered the beauty of the social part which fascinated me even more. As time passed by, I realized that I wanted to follow a path that involved the study of languages and their interplay with our society. Therefore, this study was the perfect match for me. Not only do I love its focus on my main area of interest, but also its broadness which can give me access to other domains, such as politics and literature. From my point of view, this BA programme does not limit your opportunities after graduation, but rather opens multiple doors for you, which is what we are all looking for.

After having spent three years in another Dutch city and one year abroad, I decided to follow a second bachelor. At that time, I was still living away from Groningen and my main decision to study at this university involved a careful examination of the programme I was going to follow and a comparative analysis with other universities that provided a similar package of courses. I've chosen my programme for the interdisciplinary knowledge and research potential in European literature, linguistics and politics, as well as for the fact that I was going to learn a new language as part of my bachelor.

The languages that all international students bring with them makes Groningen ‘feel’ like a truly internationalized, open-minded, tolerant and young city. The university has so many different student associations which organize events, parties, guest lectures, proms and competitions, that it is difficult to fit everything that there is in your free time! There is always a diverse choice of activities and I truly believe that any kind of student from any cultural background can and will feel part of the university community and part of Groningen.

Read more about Irina Dragomir and ask her your question about studying in Groningen

I chose European Languages and Cultures for its rich variety of courses and the possibility to make the programme your own. After covering the basic aspects of each track (linguistics, literature, politics and history) you can specialize in your own areas of interest. Besides having a passion for languages, I am a big literature enthusiast. ELC effortlessly provides me with the opportunity to acquire two languages to a near-native level and study all aspects of their literature.

The self-study approach allows me to learn outside of lectures in a non-library environment. Conferences, language cafés, cultural evenings… there’s plenty to get involved in! The number of contact hours also allows me to get involved in my extracurriculars. As an active member of a dance class and a theatre society, I can categorically state that there is no better way to meet people outside of your programme and to apply your understanding of literature than to create something yourself!

Hoi! Mijn naam is Hans de Jong en ik ben 20 jaar oud. Ik ben derdejaarsstudent bij de studie Europese Talen en Culturen. Als majortaal studeer ik Engels en daarnaast heb ik Spaans gestudeerd als tweede taal. Voor mijn profiel heb ik Taal en Maatschappij gekozen. Aangezien ik in mijn derde jaar zit, volg ik nu een minor in Internationale Betrekkingen, wat me tot zover erg bevalt. Buiten school houd ik me veel bezig met talen en ben vaak buiten in de natuur.

Waarom Europese Talen en Culturen?

Ik heb Europese Talen gekozen omdat ik zeer geïnteresseerd ben in talen, met name de Europese talen. Ik heb een lange tijd Engels willen studeren, maar ik was nog niet zeker over mijn keuze. Toen ik eenmaal deze studie had gevonden, stond mijn keuze al snel vast. Wat me aantrok aan dit programma is de variëteit; hoe je de studie invult ligt bij jezelf. Naast je hoofdtaal, in mijn geval Engels, kan je ook je eigen profiel(en) en/of tweede taal kiezen. Er is keuze uit drie profielen: Taal en Maatschappij, Cultuur en Literatuur en Politiek en Maatschappij. Van deze profielen heb ik Taal en Maatschappij gekozen, aangezien taal mijn hoofdinteresse is en goed aansluit bij de andere vakken. Binnen Europese Talen en Culturen is het echter ook mogelijk geheel andere keuzes te maken: it’s all up to you.

Sinds de middelbare school heb ik zelf ook Spaans geleerd. ETC gaf me de gelegenheid om mijn Spaans uit te breiden én mijn hoofdtaal te studeren, Engels.

My name is Nina Hamann and I am in my second year of studying European Languages and Cultures. My profile is European Politics and Society and my major language is English. I am also taking Russian as a second language. Besides my studies, I like to go to the gym, read, and meet friends.

Why European Languages and Cultures?

After my graduation, I was certain that I wanted to study something that involves history, politics and languages. ELC offers me all of these aspects. I also really like the broadness of the programme, which makes me feel secure about my future opportunities.