Gerbrich Nieuwenhuis

About Gerbrich

Hi! My name is Gerbrich, I’m 22 years old and from the Netherlands. I’m currently in my second year of Arts, Culture & Media. Outside of my studies, I enjoy all kinds of creative & fun activities. I love gaming, going to the cinema, listening to music, reading, drawing & thrift shopping. I also enjoy nature & traveling. So, when I’m not busy with uni work, there’s a good chance you’ll find me at Pathé, shopping at a thrift store or planning my next trip!

Why Arts, Culture & Media

A few years ago, I was torn between this programme & another one. I initially tried the other study, but I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me and dropped out after only a couple of months. Later, I attended an Open Day at UG, where I rediscovered Arts, Culture & Media. I realized it combined everything I was looking for. Being passionate about music & film, I was excited to see these could be my specializations. I was also looking for a programme where I could focus on more organizational & analytical aspects of the arts, which I found here with the “Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship” specialization. (Jokes on me, I ended up choosing the specialization Analysis and Criticism!)

I immediately knew this was the right programme for me because of how broad it is. You learn about many aspects of the arts and their connection to society, and you don’t need to be an artist to succeed. Even students without artistic experience can thrive, since the focus is on understanding, analyzing & engaging with art.

Why Groningen

I chose to study in Groningen partly because it is close to home, but mostly because I love the city. Groningen is beautiful, lively & offers so much to do for everyone, from cultural activities to student life. The programme itself also stood out to me, as its broad & interdisciplinary approach is unique compared to other studies.

Future

As for my future, I know that I want to go abroad for my minor in my third year. I don’t have a clear career path in mind yet, but I’d love to continue discussing, analyzing & discovering different art forms. I am particularly interested in something connected to journalism, since I enjoy writing & critical analysis.

Tip

My advice to prospective students would be to follow your heart & your gut feeling. If a programme feels right, there’s a good chance it is. And if it turns out not to be the right fit, that’s okay too, you can always try again with something else, you don’t need to be 100% certain to start. Also, attend an Open Day & participate in web classes, as they really help you get a feel for the programme. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Groningen is an amazing city with so much to offer and there truly is something for everyone here.