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Navigating New Beginnings: Famke's First-Year as a GRL student in Leeuwarden

Date:09 January 2024
Author:Erika Compatangelo
First year student Famke
First year student Famke

Meet Famke, a first-year student in Leeuwarden! Discover her reasons for choosing Global Responsibility & Leadership, her experience living in the city, and how she's making connections beyond the classroom.

Hello Famke, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Could you please share a bit about yourself?

Certainly! My name is Famke, and I'm 19 years old. Although I have Frisian roots, I was raised in The Hague, where I followed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Currently, I'm in my first year studying Global Responsibility and Leadership and therefore live in Leeuwarden.

What led you to choose the Global Responsibility & Leadership programme at Campus Fryslân over other options?

To be honest, I was torn for a while because I have a wide range of interests like history, biology, and politics. I was searching for a programme that ideally would encompass all these areas. That's when I stumbled upon this one. I was mainly attracted by its political dimension. I have to say that I clearly recall falling in love with the programme after Carol gave a lecture on Ecology, which resonated so much with everything I had been looking for!

What's your experience like living in Leeuwarden?

Oh, I absolutely adore it! Leeuwarden has this charming essence of being a cozy, compact little city with a unique vibe. One of the things I appreciate most is its convenience; everything, including the campus, is a 5-10 minute walk away! It offers a practical lifestyle that's quite different from the bustling atmosphere of The Hague.

How do you manage to socialize outside of your studies?

Well, I've got a few avenues to connect with others beyond just hitting the books. I'm involved with the study association NCF, which hosts events that are pretty cool. Plus, there are events organized by UG that I try to join when I can. Before kicking off the academic year, there's this Intro week and Leip week specifically for new students, including those in applied sciences. Honestly, I just did a bit of searching, and there were plenty of opportunities right here in Leeuwarden that were easy to tap into.

About the author

Erika Compatangelo
Erika Compatangelo

Ciao! My name is Erika and I am the Content & Data Management Specialist of Campus Fryslân. I was born and raised in Italy and have recently graduated from the MSc in Climate Adaptation Governance. I have been in charge of the blog and all its content since October 2023. My aim is to make this virtual space serve as a logbook for the Campus Fryslân community and as a welcoming introduction for all newcomers. Here, you will find stories from the people of Campus Fryslân to get a taste of what studying here is like and the exciting opportunities it comes with!