Hi! My name is Ola, I come from Wrocław, and I am currently in the second year of the English-taught Psychology programme at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
Looking back, I know that I could not have found a better place for myself.
To anyone still wondering whether studying abroad is worth it, my answer is clear: it absolutely is.
The academic experience here feels completely different from what I had previously expected from university. Almost every day brings something new and surprising.
During lectures, we may speak with real patients, participate in virtual reality experiments, or conduct research using modern equipment. These experiences allow us to see how psychological concepts work in real situations rather than learning only from textbooks.
Psychology becomes something you observe, investigate, and experience — not simply information you memorise for an exam.
One of the things I value most is the openness of the people around me. Students are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and become actively involved in discussions.
Communication with professors is relaxed and natural. There is no unnecessary distance, which makes it much easier to approach them, express your opinion, or ask for support.
The atmosphere during group classes is equally positive. Students work together, discuss different perspectives, and can even develop their own research projects based on topics that genuinely interest them.
This freedom makes studying much more personal. Instead of only following instructions, you begin thinking like a future researcher and psychologist.
Studying abroad also surrounds you with people who bring different cultures, experiences, and ways of understanding human behaviour. For a Psychology student, this international environment is especially valuable because it constantly reminds you that people cannot be understood from only one perspective.
Of course, moving abroad requires courage. You leave behind familiar routines and begin building a new life in another country.
But once you meet your classmates, become comfortable at university, and start participating in practical projects, the fear gradually disappears. In its place comes confidence and the feeling that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
My experience at Tilburg University has already given me far more than academic knowledge. It has made me more curious, independent, open-minded, and certain about the direction I want to follow.
Do not allow uncertainty to make you abandon something you genuinely dream about.
Studying abroad may introduce you to methods, people, and opportunities you would never encounter by remaining inside your comfort zone.
Follow your ambitions, trust yourself, and give your dreams a real chance.
