Student testimonial
Josefina - BSc Animal Sciences (exchange student)
Josefina is currently in her third year of Animal Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. She decided to come on exchange at WUR to achieve practical skills and insights into animal husbandry systems. It all started with a buddy.
WUR opened my eyes. I gained so much more practical insight into worldwide animal sciences due to different perspectives.
“I was a buddy for Arvin, who went on exchange to my home university. I picked him up from the airport, showed him around and he happened to be a bachelor’s Animal Sciences student from WUR. He made me so enthusiastic about WUR and the practical possibilities of animal sciences, I decided to come and study here. We are still friends and now he is my buddy here.”
Transition to WUR
“Big shock! That was what happened to me in the beginning. Different education system; 6 short periods instead of 2 long semesters, interactive lectures full of discussion, groupwork. But now I love it! I even extended my stay till one year. Focussing on only 1 or 2 courses makes it more intense, but teachers provide you with practical insights into the theory due to their own experiences as researchers. And almost every course includes groupwork, something I enjoyed a lot. You learn how to communicate together and be responsible for the end product. Communication is an important skill in your daily life and work, and it is really nice that the university helps you to develop that skill.”
The practical side of animal sciences
“I was looking forward to learning more about the practical side of animal sciences. The course ‘Biology of domestic animals’ was such a course. We had several practicals at the animal research facility and gained experience in the laboratories for several immunology courses. Already during introductory courses. That was amazing. The study association gave me a lot of insight into how Dutch farming works, by going on excursions or discussion evenings.”
Sustainability is a verb
“I also followed courses in other disciplines, as I wanted to explore all that is related to improving our worldwide sustainability. So I also followed courses in economics and climate change ecology. Sustainability is a very broad word. For me, it means a combination of organic farming practises, using environmentally friendly technology and economically profitable outlines. However, for other students, it meant intensive vertical farming or no farming at all. All these different perspectives opened my eyes. First I wanted to know how animal husbandry is done, but now I want to know how can we make animal husbandry sustainable, including animal welfare, biodiversity, and climate ecology.”
Why WUR?
“What I loved about animal sciences at WUR is that it is internationally oriented. Not only centred around the Netherlands but most examples can also be applied to other countries and climates. So for my home country as well. Quite handy as I would like to change the animal husbandry systems of the Czech Republic towards a sustainable future. In my opinion, WUR lives up to the standard of the best agricultural university in the world.”
Student life
“There are so many things to do besides studying, that I decided to do as many as I could. Back home I played professional volleyball, so of course I joined the volleyball association. I participated in activities of the study association, but also travelled a lot with my weekend-free public transport card, learned Dutch, and made so many friends, in my student housing (we are with 14), in lectures, or just in the gym. Everyone is so friendly, so it feels like I have a new big family now.”
Take home message
“WUR opened my eyes. I gained so much more practical insight into worldwide animal sciences due to different perspectives. So I must say, join a buddy programme, you may never know where it will lead you to.”