console.log("Welcome to Ania’s story!")
Hello, my name is Ania! I’m 21 years old from Craiova, Romania. I studied mathematics informatics in high school, and I am now pursuing a Bachelor in Creative Media and Game Technologies in the Netherlands as a third-year student.
I always liked art and design but didn’t enjoy programming. In high school, it was hard to decide what I truly wanted, and after a long time debating between computer science and something more design-related, I chose the latter.
I really enjoy my decision because this program allows me to be a designer, artist, and engineer—I fit in the middle, enjoying technical art. I even did 3D animation, which I never expected. I’ve worked on programming projects, including a webcam tracking system turned into a game.
Studying abroad was due to multiple factors, including the foreign educational system. Since I was 11, I have wanted to study in the UK, but Brexit made that impossible. My dad encouraged and supported me in going abroad. Unlike some parents, mine let me spread my wings.
I discovered Edmundo and found Creative Media and Game Technologies. I immediately knew it was the perfect fit—no second thoughts. Having a clear target helped me apply confidently.
Getting into a Dutch University: What No One Tells You
I applied to Fontys University for Computer Science, Twente University, and Saxion and Breda for Creative Media and Game Technologies. I was accepted to all except Breda. Twente required an exam in physics, logic, and informatics—it was hard, but I passed it.
For Saxion and Breda, I had to make a game. I had no experience, but I did it while watching tutorials on the internet and just learning by myself. Saxion saw potential in my approach to overcoming challenges, and then I had an interview with a great teacher who still mentors me today. In the end, I chose Saxion, and that made me realise that everything happens for a reason. I’m very happy with my decision now, as Saxion is very inclined towards real-life interactions within the field, and the institution emphasises practical, hands-on learning. I even had internships and projects that involved real-world applications, and the whole learning process is based on understanding concepts, not memorising them.
Admission Process in the Netherlands
It’s easy to get in but hard to stay—many students leave without a graduation diploma due to the workload and they either fail or drop off.
For my program, I wrote a motivation letter, had an interview, and completed an assignment: making a game. Breda had no theme; Saxion required a maze. I prefer challenges, so I figured it out myself. I presented my game in an interview, and Saxion’s teacher was impressed by what I had accomplished as a high school student.
One major change is that university professors are very friendly and open to discussions. They answer our questions and guide us when needed—definitely a positive influence on our studies!
Don’t be afraid to leave your home country. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and stand up for yourself if needed. I know some parents have a hard time letting go of their kids, but you need to have that conversation with them.
If you’re interested in design, arts, or anything creative, explore that inclination further. Don’t be afraid to discover new things and to fail. Everyone fails. There’s no student who hasn’t failed an exam—I don’t believe it. But the good thing is that you can always retake them.
Costs & Scholarships
No university in the Netherlands offers scholarships, and while living expenses depend on individual circumstances, I believe that €1000/month is a fit budget. I was helped by my parents all the time, but now I am earning some money for myself.
I can’t apply for a scholarship because I’m from the EU, but what’s great about the Netherlands is that if you’re a student and working, you can apply for DUO grants. There’s a basic grant, which is up to €400, and another grant based on your parents’ income. In order to receive both the basic and the one based on your parents’ income, you have to work 32 hours/week.
For people from European countries, tuition is around €2,100/year. If you work and apply for the DUO grant, you get free transportation, which is amazing. One of the most expensive things here is public transport.
Right now, I’m living in Eindhoven, but I used to live in Enschede, where I paid €200 for my house. Now the rent is around €300, which is an amazing price. I would advise everyone to live with roommates because you get to know people. My roommates from Enschede, for example, are my best friends right now.
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Why Moving Abroad Was the Best (& Hardest) Decision I Made
The first month was harder than I expected. I had to move out and move in just a week after university started, so I was a bit rushed with everything. Then, I had to get my BSN, which is like a social security number if you’re staying in the Netherlands for more than four months. I also had to find health insurance and a GP. It was difficult because I had university, had to meet people, attend all the classes, and at the same time, deal with administrative stuff.
Most of my friends here are internationals. What I like is that our year is divided into four programs, and for each term, you’re assigned to a different tutorial group. In my first term, I had one group, and in my second term, they placed me in a different group so I could meet more people from my program.
In the beginning, I struggled a lot.
I found it hard to be a leader. It was also hard to understand what I was supposed to do sometimes because everything was so new. I was an international student coming from Romania—I had never done this before, so of course, I was going to struggle a bit.
I remember in my second year, we almost failed a group project. We got a 5.6, and the passing grade is 5.5. It was really close.
We were so full of ourselves because we had done really well in the first year. We thought, "Oh yeah, we’re the best. No one can beat us." Then we failed, and it was a reality check.
After that, we told ourselves we would never be that overconfident again. Even a king can lose his crown.
Design, Tech & Teamwork: The Reality of My Studies
At Saxion, design is a major focus of my program, but programming is always present. I find myself coding regularly and currently, I’m working on gamification-related projects, involving a lot of prototyping and coding, which I really enjoy. This hands-on approach aligns with my interests, making my coursework and projects both engaging and very rewarding!
The education system in the Netherlands is highly practical and emphasizes critical thinking over memorization. Written exams typically consist of 30 multiple-choice questions and some open-ended questions, though it varies by course. For instance, in my Academic Skills course, we wrote a final paper instead of taking a written exam. Additionally, some courses involve fieldwork, which allows us to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings. I haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m looking forward to it in my final term.
One major difference compared to my Romanian high school experience is the approach to learning. In Romania, you might be taught that "a cat is an animal with four legs," and then asked on an exam, "What is a cat?" Here, the focus is on applying knowledge. You might be given a concept and asked to apply it to a scenario or explain how it connects to other ideas. I believe this shift requires a deeper understanding but also makes learning more meaningful and engaging.
All my assignments count toward my final grade, with different weight distributions. For example, a written exam might be worth 70%, while a podcast assignment counts for 20%, and a presentation makes up the remaining 10%. For the podcast project, we recorded ourselves explaining key concepts, essentially creating an actual podcast episode. These types of assignments make studying more interactive and allow for creative expression while reinforcing what we’ve learned.
The workload is manageable with proper planning. While we have extensive reading and assignments, it’s all doable. If you study consistently, the content isn’t difficult since lectures explain concepts thoroughly. Tutorials reinforce these concepts, and peer-to-peer activities help in understanding and applying knowledge through discussions. This collaborative learning environment is particularly beneficial, as it encourages critical thinking and improves retention.
The faculty is also incredibly supportive. I can email professors with questions and usually get a response within a day. Their guidance, along with interactive learning methods, keeps me engaged and motivated. Having access to knowledgeable and approachable teachers makes a big difference in the learning experience. It reassures me that if I ever struggle with a topic, there are always resources available to help me understand and improve.
I think you need at least a little creativity.
Also, patience! I think that applies to most fields, but in mine, you have to talk to a lot of people and do group work. You need patience to listen to different opinions and not get mad when someone disagrees with you.
And creativity is important because, whether you’re writing essays or working in advertising, you need to come up with ideas.
