Noah looks back on the master’s as one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences of his academic life. “I loved how carefully and passionately the programme was taught. The professors really paid attention to detail and created a learning environment that felt rigorous, relevant, and genuinely inspiring.” 

What made the programme unique for Noah was the opportunity to combine different but interrelated tracks. “I followed courses in urban economics, real estate, environmental economics, and econometric data analysis—and I loved all of them. That interdisciplinary mix allowed me to think in more layered, critical ways about complex problems.” 

Although he now works in digital finance, the skills he gained remain central to his day-to-day work. “Econometric data analysis turned out to be the most useful for my current role. My ability to work with and understand data grew enormously during the programme.” 

Based in South Africa, Noah didn’t anticipate ending up in digital finance. “But this is where the best opportunities are for me right now. If I were in the Netherlands, I’d love to be working with spatial data—that’s still a strong interest.” 

While the job is less intense than studying, he especially enjoys the human side of consultancy. “I like working with people. And even though the challenges are different, the analytical foundation from the master’s gives me an edge.” 

Noah recommends the programme to anyone who wants to go beyond the standard economics curriculum. “Even if you don’t end up working directly in spatial or environmental economics, you’ll come out with a rich, advanced education that holds its value—especially in a chaotic, oversaturated job market.”