Cole Vandenberg
DOES THE BGSE PROGRAM MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
"Absolutely. The course phase has been challenging but fun. I definitely feel that I'm building a strong foundation of understanding in the intro courses, and I'm excited to reconnect with research in the coming semesters. The best part about the BGSE, though, is the community. I’ve grown very close with the other members of my cohort, even after just one semester. The work is much more social than what I’ve experienced in the past—there is a strong sense of shared struggle and shared growth."
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE BONN FOR YOUR STUDIES?
"Bonn checked a lot of boxes for me. I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD in Europe, and the BGSE has great resources in the fields that most interest me. In the integrated MSc program, I knew I wouldn’t have to relocate halfway through my studies. With five years, you can really get to know the university and the city. The master’s phase also gives indecisive students like myself an opportunity to explore different areas of research before settling into a specialization for the PhD.
And, of course, the living stipend relieves a lot of stress! All in all, it was a great fit."
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BONN UP TO NOW?
"There's a stereotype that academia is a competitive and cutthroat world, but those attitudes are totally absent from the culture at the BGSE. We end most days in the office with a few rounds of cards, so we save our competitive energy for these games. Other office traditions include pub quiz nights and sneak previews at the local theater. Bonn is not a large city by any stretch, but I am never bored here. I’m very glad that this is where I landed."
