“As a junior researcher at VU Amsterdam’s IVM, the institute that also offers the ERM master’s programme, I spent a year working on all kinds of projects in areas such as plastic pollution, climate change, ecosystem services, and sustainability in agriculture. It was a lot of fun!”

“I chose ERM because I wanted to work towards a better environment. If we want to pass on a liveable planet to future generations of people and animals, things really have to change. ERM offered the tools for learning to look at and research environmental issues from different disciplines, which I believe is essential.”

“This master’s programme was a good fit with my bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Economics. The economic effects are (too) often decisive in environmental policy. The knowledge I gained during my bachelor’s programme was very useful for understanding the role of the economic system, and for understanding how it could be changed to a greener economy.”

“What I especially liked about my studies was the diversity of students—diversity in language and culture, as well as in academic background. Because of this, the discussions during and outside the classes were always very interesting and you could learn a lot from other perspectives. I also loved the many opportunities to write your thesis at an external organisation. For example, for my thesis I did fieldwork on Sint Maarten, an island in the Caribbean. I had a very nice time at university. It’s great that everything is on one campus, which makes it easily accessible and makes it feel warm and friendly. At VU Amsterdam, you really get a sense of community, which I haven't experienced to this extent at other universities.”

“My tip for prospective students? It sounds cliché, but follow your heart. Time after time, people show that if you really want something, you can achieve it. So think carefully about what you want to achieve, what makes you happy. And then really go for it. The people who inspire you probably didn’t play it safe, either.”