LILIANE DE VOOGD

My minor in Kuala Lumpur, called ‘Bachelor of Mass Communication - Public Relations and Marketing’, is an instructive and great experience for me. It’s an adventure with new courses, friendships, life lessons and experiences for the rest of my life. On the 20th of March, I started my big adventure; I flew to Dubai, and from there to Kuala Lumpur for my minor. I will be there till the 24th of August.

 

Kuala Lumpur is not the most obvious place to do you minor abroad. Initially my idea was to go to Spain, so to remain within Europe. However after a tour in South Africa my interest for a minor outside Europe increased significantly. I had never been in Asia and I wanted to see more of the world. It’s the combination of a big city, the beautiful nature, the cheap life and modern buildings that really appeals to me. I’m glad the city is quite Western so that you quickly get used to the culture and you feel at home. The lectures from a different culture / religion have broadend my horizon and brought a different perspective on life. The courses which the university offered, attracted my attention directly. I have been chosen for the Bachelor of Mass Communication - Public Relations and Marketing. The courses I have been chosen are Interactive Media, E-Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Introduction To International Business and Photography. I hope they will be interesting and instructive. During that courses I have to give a lot of presentations, which is really good to improve my English.

 

The added value of my stay abroad for my future ambition are different things. First I want to bring my English to a higher level. The best way to do this is to visit more places in the world and to follow English courses and speak English all the time. Secondly I want more international contacts for my network. These contacts can always be useful in the future. I will do my lectures in the category of PR and marketing, because of new technologies in a fast growing marketing sector. I have my own company which brings responsibilities to take care for. When I am doing a minor abroad I will expand the extend of responsibilities for I am all by myself there. This could be useful for both my company as well as myself. So I am sure I will learn and improve on a lot of marketing skills during my minor abroad which will be useful in the future!

 

I wanted to study abroad, because is a very special experience to be in a different kind of culture for a couple of months. I want to develop myself in ways which will make me more capable and provide added value for my future career as Communications Specialist. I want to get more out of my personality and get to know myself better. As a Communication expert you need to be worldly-wise and I like to do a step outside the familiar Europe to see what the world has to offer me. I love to experience the adventure outside the save situation in your country. Besides studying and passing the courses, the inner develop­ment-factor plays a crucial role for me. I have never lived in a country where I did not know the native language and culture, so it will be an excited exchange!  

 

This first week of my exchange, I already had an amazing experience; I had to make some new friends from all over the world and I live in a whole new and big city. After a few days I noticed my English is way better. I am ready for the adventure with a lot of new friends and experiences. I think this minor abroad will change me in a positive way. I will enjoy every second, so let’s go for it!