"I am currently getting a PhD at the Department of English at TTU in Lubbock, Texas. My research focus is nature writing of the American Southwest. The work consists mostly of completing coursework, teaching undergrads, and doing my own research. The hours are long but the work is fun."

What I learned in Leiden

The American university system differs a lot from the Dutch one, both in intensity and focus. A few things that I learned at Leiden and apply here in Texas are the ability to hone in on research gaps, argue relevance, and how to navigate academic environments.

First Minor, then Master

I did my BA in History at Leiden University, but completed the minor of American Studies, choosing the literature track. This interested me much more than history, and lead me to choose the MA North American Studies, through which I completed the switch to the literary research I do now. The small-scale environment of the MA, as well as the familiarity of the professors made the choice easy.

"After completing my Bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature in the UK, I knew I wanted to pursue further academic study in the same subject. My plan was to study abroad in the Netherlands, and the MA North American Studies programme appealed to me because of its broad range of courses encompassing American history, literature, and politics, and Leiden’s reputation as a rigorous academic institution."

Pursue my specific interest

"While the programme’s modules were certainly varied, my professors also guided me to pursue my specific interest in literature in module essays and my MA thesis. As the only international student in my cohort, it was important for me to meet other students, so I volunteered as Secretary of the North American Studies student association. Hosting events related to our degree really enhanced my study experience, and allowed me to gain lifelong friends."  

Beneficial skills

"I currently work as a freelance writer, creating marketing materials like blogs and social media copy for a wide range of clients. The independent research skills that I gained on my MA programme have been hugely beneficial to my professional career, as have additional skills in communication, public speaking, and evaluating sources."

"I am currently the office manager of a cultural heritage law firm in Richmond, Virginia, where I am originally from. Beyond being a law firm, the company also runs a museum technology company, a leadership academy, a consulting agency, and a lobbying group so my day-to-day tasks tend to be fairly diverse. Without a doubt, the refinement of foundational skills, such as speaking and researching, were my greatest takeaways from my studies at Leiden."

Skills my program taught me

"I am often tasked with researching subjects and people I know nothing about, so I am glad that my program taught me how to efficiently find and examine reliable sources. As for speaking skills, on any given day I could be running augmented reality demonstrations or speaking to important clients, so I am grateful to feel comfortable in my speaking ability."

Understanding America as a whole

"With its interdisciplinary approach to history, culture, literature, and the modern day, Leiden’s programme in North American Studies does an excellent job of weaving together the many aspects necessary to understand America as a whole. Beyond the academics, because I was studying my own country I figured it would be best to study abroad and hear how others viewed America. Not only is there a diverse faculty in Leiden, but the students themselves come from all over the place with each one possessing unique insights. This has allowed for many spirited discussions both inside and outside of the classroom and I could hardly ask for brighter, kinder, more passionate people to learn with."