International Relations and International Organization

In 2015, I started my undergraduate studies in the International Relations and International Organisation programme. In this holistic and pluri-disciplinary programme, I have been successfully trained - both theoretically and methodologically - to further pursue the set of problématiques that drive me intellectually.

After finishing school in Hungary, I took a gap year and was looking for programmes that combined my interest in history, geography and politics. The possibility of studying in English, along with the reputation and competitiveness of the university, convinced me to choose IRIO in Groningen.

I chose IRIO as I am passionate about making the world a better place. The course units that interested me most were those dealing with policy or theory. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme gives you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to enter the world of policy-making at an international level.

About Casper

Hi there! My name Casper de Boer. I am currently a fourth year IRIO student, as well as a participant in the Honours College (BA) programme of the RUG. Last year I advised the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Arts on education related matters in my function as student-assessor. It was a rather extensive part-time job that resulted in having to extend my bachelor programme one more year. Furthermore, I am a student ambassador for the IRIO programme, which means that I spend my days trying to give aspirant students, amongst others, an insight into the world of IRIO.

Why IRIO?

How did it all start? Well, actually quite spontaneously. I decided to join a friend to an Open Day, where I encountered the IRIO bachelor programme for the very first time. The programme’s multi-disciplinary approach immediately struck a chord with me. IRIO is not just one subject of study, it is rather a ‘mosaic’ of different disciplines, from history and economics to law and political science. Studying IRIO means that you are constantly in touch with the world around you. I believe it is no longer sufficient to only present your point of view. A globalized world needs us to push the boundaries of our knowledge by combining different areas of knowledge, by listening to others and by developing ourselves through our encounters. IRIO offered me the tools to do this, by focusing on different aspects that constitute the world of IR. It feels as if each day I learn something new about the ever-changing world around me. These dynamics make up for a challenging, yet thrilling experience.

Read more about Casper de Boer and why he chose to study International Relations & International Organization in Groningen!

Questions? Send Casper an e-mail!

I came to Groningen because I was interested in a study program that was not offered at universities in Germany at that time. I knew little about the Netherlands and the Dutch education system, let alone the language. More importantly, I did not know anything about the city that I would call home for the following three years and yet I immediately felt at home..

About Teun

Hi! My name is Teun van der Horst, I am 21 years old and second-year student International Relations & International Organization (IRIO). Two years ago, after I finished secondary school, I attended a study that totally did not fit my liking, and afterwards felt a bit lost regarding all the studies that were out there. Of all the studies, I luckily found what suits me best, and hope to help you to achieve the same.

Outside classes and lectures, I like being sociable, creative and to engage with global developments. Last year I did the lay-out and some writing for our student association’s magazine, this year I give guest lectures on international developments to secondary or practical schools’ students, and draw/paint as a hobby.

Why IRIO

For a long time I have been a bit envious of people having one ‘true calling’, a single interest in for example technical physics or a health science that (I presumed) guides someone’s study choice very easily. Now I know that that’s a rather wrong assumption, and that for people with many different interests there luckily is multidisciplinary education. IRIO does have a focus on world politics and uses a theoretical approach, but it also addresses social sciences, economics, history, law and some other fields.

However, apart from a broad interest, I am mostly fascinated by the global developments of politics, war, democracy and diplomacy. I like how my study offers a more nuanced, elaborated and scientific view on what we see regularly in the news, or on what happens in wars and international conferences. I think an interest in these subjects is an absolute must – every IRIO-student is engaged with the news and with politics, be it in an activist or scientific way.

Read more about Teun van der Horst and why he chose to study International Relations & International Organization in Groningen!

Questions? Send Teun an e-mail!

When I was searching for the right degree programme, a combination between law, economics and political science, I stumbled upon IRIO. So far, it is my experience that IRIO is more than simply combining these subjects: it provides us with the necessary tools to understand how they are all connected in this complex world.

I currently work as a business analyst at the gas trading company GasTerra. I work in the commercial department that sells gas to energy providers. As a business analyst I support the account managers in the sales process.

I chose the IRIO programme because I wanted to understand how the world around me works and, ultimately, to learn how to improve it. By learning how power structures work, how laws guide behaviour and how economic policies influence us, this programme seemed well-fit for me. Moreover, there is space to choose extra courses and to go abroad. Currently, I am writing my thesis on the effects of the euro area crisis on European Union policy and I am going abroad to South Korea next year.