I had been thinking about studying abroad for a long time, so at the beginning of my final year of Secondary School, I registered with Kastu.
My original dream was to study in Belgium. However, after exploring the available options, I began reading more about the Netherlands. I had already rejected several other countries because of high tuition fees or living costs, while the Netherlands seemed to offer a much better balance.
The more I learned about its universities, culture, and student life, the clearer my decision became. I realised that the Netherlands could offer exactly the international experience I was looking for.
Radboud University was my first choice. I was especially attracted by its study programme and by Nijmegen, which appeared to be a welcoming and comfortable city for students.
I genuinely wanted to be accepted, so the application process naturally brought many questions. I sent countless emails to the Kastu team, but the consultants never made me feel that I was asking too much. They patiently answered every question and helped me understand what needed to be done.
Knowing that someone was guiding me through the process made such an important decision feel much less overwhelming.
My first months at university have been as good as I expected, and in some ways even better.
Nijmegen is a very convenient city where almost everything can be reached by bicycle. This makes everyday life simple and gives the city a relaxed student atmosphere.
The academic workload is manageable, so I still have enough free time to meet people, enjoy the city, and create a healthy balance between studies and personal life.
One of the things I appreciate most is the relationship between students and lecturers. Communication is open and informal, and some lecturers already feel almost like friends.
It is easy to ask questions, share your opinion, and request help when something is unclear. You feel supported rather than judged, which makes studying much more comfortable and motivating.
Adapting to the Netherlands has also been easier than I feared. The country is designed around bicycles, local people are generally friendly, and English is widely spoken.
Before leaving home, I was genuinely afraid. Moving to another country meant leaving behind everything familiar and beginning again in a place where I did not yet know anyone.
Today, I know that I would not change my decision.
Studying abroad has shown me that fear before a major change is completely normal. It does not necessarily mean that you are making the wrong choice. Sometimes it simply means that you are about to do something important.
My advice to future students is to take your interest in studying abroad seriously, even when it begins as only a small idea.
Research the countries, compare the programmes, ask as many questions as you need, and do not give up simply because the process initially seems unfamiliar.
You do not need to be completely fearless. You only need enough courage to take the first step.
For me, that step led to Radboud University, a city that already feels comfortable, and an experience I would gladly choose again.
