From vmbo to a master’s degree at the UvA: these students came a long way
It takes six years to complete high school, three years for a bachelor degree, one year for a master and then the average student starts working. But what if you start with mbo and continue studying until you’re almost 30, ending up among 20-year-olds?
When Halil Celik [29, interdisciplinary social sciences (ISW) and public administration at the HvA], was young, he already had a wide range of interests. For example, he often watched cycling or other sports on television that he wasn’t familiar with. He also read a lot of books and wanted to go to museums. “I come from a working-class family where the motto was: Work hard, earn money, and then you’ll have a good life. So my ideas for doing cultural trips were immediately shelved.”
He completed vmbo and after that, remained interested in a broad number of topics. This can be seen in his teaching career. He started at mbo where he studied law and subsequently studied public administration at the HvA. He only needs to complete his thesis from that training. He is also in his second year of studying ISW at the UvA. “I don’t feel 29 at all among the young students in their 20s,” he says. “But despite my age, I am and will remain a full-fledged student.”
Halil’s parents did not attend university, making Halil a first-generation student. “I am a pioneer in the study process. I notice that this makes it difficult for my parents and family to understand me. For example, I still tell them that I am studying law, because they understand that. The word ‘science’ confuses them. But if I tell them that I will soon have two bachelor’s degrees, one from the HvA and one from the UvA, they will be very proud.”
A 12-year student
He has studied for a total of eight years in hbo and at university. By completing four years of mbo, he has a total of almost 12 years of education. His role as a first-generation student, but also as an informal caregiver for his mother, his concentration problems due to AD(H)D, and the corona pandemic have ensured that, in his own words, he has “extended himself quite a bit” in public administration, with an overlap with ISW.
As a student, you have 10 years to use your student financing, with the exception of mbo. For Halil, that 10-year period started when he started college eight years ago, meaning that time is almost running out.
Nevertheless, Halil is determined to complete his bachelor’s degrees and preferably one or two master’s degrees afterwards. “Then no one at work can say that I am not educated enough. I would like to give something back to society with all my knowledge and experience.”
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Company headquarters
Priscilla Schaap (26, a former Communication Science student) also says that one reason for her step-by-step path from MBO to university is that it makes you more attractive in the workplace. She has just graduated with a master’s in Communication Science: Persuasive Communication. She now works part-time as a cosmetics consultant – which was also her part-time job when she was a student – and thinks it would be interesting to work in PR or in a marketing position at the headquarters of a company. “Those are very competitive positions. It’s hard to squeeze in.”
Initially, Priscilla mainly started obtaining multiple degrees because she was only 20 when she finished mbo. “At that point, you just started.” That was also the reason she continued her studies after hbo, and because she was by the theoretical studies and wanted to think in a more abstract fashion. “In addition, when it comes to acquiring multiple degrees, you have to think about what do you aspire to, and what kind of training do you need for that? For the level I want to work at, it is necessary to have a university degree.”
Her nose in textbooks
She graduated a few months ago, after 10 years of study. Because of her age, she sometimes felt like the “eternal student” at university. For example, when her fellow students lived the student life to the fullest, with parties and drinks, and she mainly concentrated on her studies because she was determined to complete them. Or when people from her high school got married, had children, and started a career, she still had her nose in textbooks. “But for me, the phase of settling down starts a bit later. I first want a permanent job that I am happy with before I take the next steps in my life.”
How does Priscilla look back on her time at university, now that she has her diplomas? “It was a long journey, but I got through it and I’m very happy with that. During the process, it didn’t feel like there was no end in sight because I did it in small segments, first a degree here, then one there, until the finish. Now no one can take away from me that I am not educated enough.”
“I also learned a lot from my practical training. For example, I have a practical attitude and I can switch on the spot, but I can also think critically and analytically.”
An interesting journey
Another person who has learned a lot from many different courses is Dean Janssen (26, ISW). He has done a remarkable number of different things. For example, he was first trained as a nurse which he found “terrible.” “I didn’t like the practical training.” The army wasn’t for him either. They thought he should talk more about his problems there, such as the divorce between his parents, as not talking about difficult things would increase the risk of PTSD once he was in the military. He then completed mbo to become a laboratory technician, but he did not see a future in that either. Then he started an applied psychology course at hbo but did not complete his propaedeutic year. After a lot of detours, he finally got the ticket to go to the UvA through an entrance examination.
After this “interesting journey,” he can see that he has learned a lot. He looks back now that he has completed almost all ISW subjects. “I am more stable and resilient,” says Dean. “If pre-university students fail a subject, they are immediately upset. I handle setbacks much better, as I have survived quite a few setbacks.”
“I also notice that students are often stressed before an exam, or that they don’t necessarily want to study for an extra six months because of their parents’ expectations. Some have planned out their lives: They want to complete their bachelor’s in three years, and then a master’s. I look at life differently and more flexibly. Besides, I’m not too worried financially. I am still entitled to my student grant for two years, so I have to keep up the pace, but I think I will succeed.” He also has this relaxed view about his loan. “I have to pay it off, but I don’t need 15 cars. I would already be satisfied with a nice job and a small apartment.”
Hippies, skirts, and tattoos
Besides, Dean gets along well with his fellow students. “At the start of my student days at the university I thought: I have to conform to the norm. I have a Limburg accent, and people accept you more quickly if you speak (generally refined Dutch) than if you sound like the rapper Sjors.
“I don’t have the need to conform anymore.” He continues: “It’s funny. The university is quite progressive and everyone dresses a bit more like a hippie, a bit more freely. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a skirt or covered in tattoos. Students also talk about the subject matter outside of their studies. At first, I thought that was strange, but now I’m participating, too.”
