- Elena Kostova
- Cultural Studies / Affiliate Student from Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Graduated: 2007
- Assistant Artist Manager
Why did you choose UCL for your studies?
Known as one of the best colleges in the UK, I primarily chose for UCL because of its central position in the English capital and also because of the outstanding reputation that it's Dutch faculty has in the Netherlands as being the best and the biggest Dutch study programme in the English speaking world.
What did you like most about your degree programme?
The possibility to follow my own path and freedom to design my own curriculum which suited my interests.
What was it like being a student at UCL?
Studying at UCL was a life enriching experience. The Department of Dutch is a relatively small faculty which offers plenty of opportunity for students and teachers to interact on a daily basis not only through the lectures, but also through the extra curricular activities. During the Weekly coffee ours (koffie -uurtjes) students across the faculty had a chance to meet and socialize with the faculty stuff and the affiliate students. Also, occasionaly we had theme evenings whereby we would have an opportunity to view a Dutch film or go to the famous Dutch cafe Hems in China Town.
How has your degree been of benefit to you since you took your degree?
The beauty and the advantage of having spent an academic year at the Department of Dutch was the possibility not only to master a new language but also to socially and culturally expand my horizons. Also, the knowledge of Dutch language and culture has proven to be an asset in my current job. As I currently work at an International Agency for classical music and the Netherlands and Flanders are very important territory with the rich classical music life and plenty of venues and world renowned orchestra's I am considered by my colleagues as a cultural broker, somebody who is not only able to understand what people on the other side of the canal say but more importantly what they really mean.
Anything else you want to add about your experience at UCL or your career since leaving UCL?
I would warmly recommend to anybody who wishes to study in the heart of London in an intimate and intellectually stimulating and challenging environment to visit the faculty of Dutch and get the first hand experience.
