Volodymyr Synytsia (21) and Aleksandr Polonyk (21) from Kiev in Ukraine are both attending a Master's programme in International Business Law and Globalisation at Utrecht University.
Volodymyr: "I chose Utrecht for its position as one of the best universities in the field of law."
Aleksandr: "Utrecht law research also has a good reputation. The University provides many opportunities, not least access to the many libraries. I studied at one of the largest universities in my country, but the library consisted of just two book cases."
Volodymyr: "The range of subjects and the teaching is broader over here. At home we tend to focus on international relations while we now mainly learn about corporate law."
Aleksandr: "Perhaps this is a result of our history. For a long time, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and we still seem to be sandwiched politically in between Russia and Western-Europe."
Volodymyr: "Our government would like to join the European Union, but I doubt the merits of that ambition."
Aleksandr: "I am not in favour of it. If we join the EU our relationship with Russia will deteriorate, and vice-versa. I believe that Ukraine should remain as a buffer between the two."
Do you feel at home in the Netherlands?
Aleksandr: "Absolutely. We feel as if we were Europeans. Geographically speaking our country is even situated in the centre of Europe."
Volodymyr: "I have observed a large difference, however, in people over here and in Ukraine. At home people tend to make friends very easily, people are open to new friendships. Over here people seem to lead rather separate lives. By now I have made some Dutch friends too. You are certainly not unfriendly… just different."
Aleksandr: “Your educational system is different too."
Volodymyr: "Over here students have to do a lot of work at home, which we are not used to."
Aleksandr: "I do think it is more challenging here, you really have to force yourself to study, particularly with so many other interesting activities on offer!"
Volodymyr: "In Ukraine we have more classes and therefore less time to enjoy ourselves. We still always find time to have fun, like drinking in the park, for instance."
Aleksandr: "Even in winter! It is presently very cold at home, but it just makes us drink a little more, ha-ha!"