Combining an internship with study has many advantages. This way you can put what you learn into practice. However, during the corona crisis it was a bit more difficult. Intern Birgit wrote a short piece about how she experienced her internship and why she is looking forward to the new academic year.

It almost looked like my 'university experience' at the UvA would end on a Thursday in March 2020. Until recently, I thought I would have to complete my History studies at home, from behind my laptop. Fortunately, the rules for higher education have been relaxed, so I can still complete the final phase of my bachelor's degree as it should be.

After the physical closure of the universities, an interesting time followed, in which the university, teachers and students quickly adapted to the new situation. In the beginning, of course, there were some start-up problems, but in the 2020-2021 academic year, digital education was already a lot better organized. Although homeschooling was an advantage in terms of flexibility, it does not outweigh the disadvantages that I personally, and many others with me, have experienced. Suddenly an essential part of studying for me disappeared, namely the inspiring environment of the university. The passionate teachers, working with other students and the historic college buildings. Of course, my small study with white walls can't compete with that.

Fortunately, my internship at Issuemakers has replaced part of that inspiring environment. At Issuemakers I also work with passionate people, I learn from my colleagues and I can work on various skills, such as collaboration, thinking along in processes and coming up with creative solutions. Now that on-site education has resumed last week, I can't wait to apply these skills to various aspects of my studies. In addition, I can take the skills I acquired during my studies, such as analyzing sources and writing essays, with me to my internship. In this way, my studies and my internship complement each other perfectly. I can only say that for both activities I really appreciate the fact that I no longer have to learn everything from behind my laptop and that I can make real contact with my colleagues/fellow students again. Ultimately, this is where I get the most energy from both my studies and my internship.

Would you also like to combine your studies with an internship? We will be looking for a new intern again from October. View the vacancy via this link and who knows, you might become just like Birgit in a new way inspired!