MARIA LUISA Rispa Hoyos, MSc
Finished the master PCRS in 2022
Why did you choose this master?
Currently, as a society, we are constantly experiencing situations that, in one way or another, threaten our well-being as individuals and as a group; for instance, cases of forced human mobility, pandemics, crimes, etc. That is why I considered that this master could give me the tools to approach these phenomena more critically and, thus, problematize them to understand them. In addition, the approach they give is broad; that is, they not only work with the look of social psychology but also clinical and forensic, among others. I think this helps to have a more global view of the issues.
How did you experience moving to the Netherlands?
Regarding the practicalities of moving, it was complicated to find a house because there is currently a housing crisis in the country, so there seems to be more demand than offers regarding a place to live. However, I talked to a girl from Mexico before moving, and we decided to be roommates and it was a bit easier to find something for both of us. Concerning other paperwork, such as the permit, registration at the municipality, or insurance, the university supported me through the process and answered all my doubts.
In the beginning, it was challenging to get used to the rhythm of life in the Netherlands because it is different from Peru, not only in academic matters but also in day-to-day life. The culture is different at many levels. Therefore, the first few months were a bit complicated. However, I consider that I have had the good fortune to meet people who helped me to go through the migration process in a simpler way, and I value this.
What kind of differences between the rhythm of life did you experience?
I think the most noticeable daily difference is the use of bicycles. Riding a bike in Lima is basically a high-risk sport. Here it is different. When I arrived, I already knew how to ride a bike, but I was afraid of crashing or getting run over, so I didn't do it. However, I have gradually acquired the hang of riding a bicycle. Another difference is that in Peru, food is essential for us; we are used to having at least two warm meals; here, most people have a sandwich for lunch and breakfast. Regarding the weather, in Lima, it doesn't really rain; in The Netherlands, it rains a lot in comparison, and people don't cancel their plans because of the weather, and they can ride a bike at -5 degrees and raining. It is some type of superpower that I have not yet acquired.
What kind of cultural differences did you come across?
Well, I think that the most noticeable thing is that, from my experience, we Latin Americans are more talkative and perhaps a little more "social," but that does not mean that I have not met good people. Establishing a close relationship with people here just takes a little longer. Another difference is that in The Netherlands, people are very punctual. In Peru, at least, we talk about "Peruvian time" because people are always at least 10 minutes late; here, it is not like that. And that is very good because there is respect for other people's time and plans.
How did you experience living in Enschede and the student life there?
Enschede is different from Lima. It is considerably smaller and less populated. But that does not mean that it lacks something. I consider that it has what a student needs, plus it is close to the university, which is very practical. It is also very international; there are people from all over the world, which enriches the experience of living abroad. I even met several Peruvians! Which I didn't think would be possible.
What did you think about the different courses of the master?
All of the master's courses were innovative, challenging, and entertaining. In addition, the topics we saw were related to contemporary issues, allowing us to engage with current events and what we saw during the sessions. They also complemented each other very well, so what we discussed in one course could serve as input to debate in another. So that enriched the master.
What advice would you give to the current or new masters-to-be?
It's a tricky question, and my honest answer is to try to figure out what works best for each of you. Try to structure your time for academic and non-academic tasks; not every day will be equally productive, so don't be so hard on yourself if one day you don't accomplish everything you set out to do, and ask for help when needed.