In the 21st century skills articles we highlight tutors’ international and intercultural experiences. Leiden University strives to enable students to develop so called "21st century skills" which are defined as "the ability to work in teams, international and intercultural skills, entrepreneurship, leadership qualities and digital competences" Most of the tutors have acquired these skills during their studies, fieldwork for their masters or PhD and are happy to share their impressions and experiences. For this volume we talked to Dr. Georgiana Balau, she teaches Economics, Sociolinguistics and Cultural Interaction. Georgiana did fieldwork during her studies in a familiar country: The Netherlands.

In the BA International Studies programme offers Thematic seminars in the second semester of the second year (10 EC). The seminars are designed for, and open to, students of International Studies.

Choosing an area and a language is a very important moment for students in their first year of International Studies. The Programme Board of International Studies was curious to learn more about what influences students’ decisions in this regard. We also wanted to find out if there is more the programme can do to assist. That is why we asked our first-year students about their choice through a survey. An impressive total of 217 students responded (many thanks to all!). Below you will find an overview of the results.

During PRINS 2018, thirty teams comprising 426 of Leiden University’s 3rd year International Studies students participated in consultancy projects presented by Starbucks, Google, OECD and Commonland and returning organisations Transparency International and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What’s in it for the international businesses, governmental and non-governmental organisations that have discovered in PRINS a new resource for their burning issues? Representatives from three of this year’s organisations, OECD, Commonland and Starbucks weighed in on why PRINS is significant for them.

In the 21st century skills articles we highlight tutors’ international and intercultural experiences. Leiden University strives to enable students to develop so called "21st century skills" which are defined as "the ability to work in teams, international and intercultural skills, entrepreneurship, leadership qualities and digital competences" Most of the tutors have acquired these skills during their studies, fieldwork for their masters or PhD and are happy to share their impressions and experiences. For this article we talked to Salman Tahir. He shares his intercultural experiences at the Hansen Summer Institute on Leadership and International Cooperation

From now on, the Coordinators of Studies of International Studies will restart the Open Consultation Hours, on Monday to Friday from 12.30-13.30 hrs. CET on Skype.

Our esteemed International Studies professors Paulina Rabah and Juliët Tinebra have organized a night of talks and music to celebrate international women’s day on March 8th. Students can sign up by scanning the QR code on the poster. We hope to see you there!

Leiden University has a lot of master's to offer for International Studies, for example did you know Leiden University offers a humanities-based master’s degree in International Relations?

'After my BA International Studies I decided to do the MA International Relations, and that proved to be a good choice,' Mats Radeck (23, Trier, Germany) says. He is in the last phase of the MA, working on his thesis on "lone-wolf terrorism".

Are you interested in a career in International diplomacy? Get your notebook out and get down to details. Dineke assured a place in “Het Klasje”: the highly selective 4-year training programme for diplomats of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. How did she do it? We are very glad we asked! Read this rich and insightful account of her journey: the experiences shaping her career path, the nitty gritty on the selection procedure of “Het Klasje” and her personal advice for current students of International Studies.