Aiden Mehmed, international alumni ambassador 2012-2013, Bulgaria

Name: Aiden Mehmed

Home country: Bulgaria

Programme: Master of Science in International Economics and Business

Scholarship: University of Groningen Talent Grant 2011/2012

Contact: aydan.mehmed gmail.com

Before coming to Groningen I talked to few friends who were studying here and they strongly recommended the University and the atmosphere in the city. Furthermore the Talent Grant I received was another motivator.

About stuying in Groningen

Before coming to Groningen I talked to few friends who were studying here and they strongly recommended the University and the atmosphere in the city. Furthermore the Talent Grant I received was another motivator. The highlight of my program is the highly intensive individualistic approach of studying. You need to take care of EVERYTHING! This builds your academic personality and prepares you better for the world awaiting you after your studies. The skills and attributes I gained from my courses were independence, confidence, wisdom, knowledge, practicality, precision, rationality, creativity and being brave enough to go for things I want.

Groningen has a very modern education system - digitally up-to-date, very responsive and friendly, very demanding(which is good!), very individualistic, you need to study for real to pass your exams, there are no games whatsoever. Hard work is always appreciated and well rewarded! I like Groningen mostly because one can go everywhere easily with a bike! Small cute and very lively town. There is always something fun to do(even in winter). The history of the town and its architecture are stunning! The nightlife is just awesome!

Student life in the city stands out because the city never sleeps(well it does only for few hours). Full of young people from all over the world - literally! All of them incredibly friendly and ready to help. Finding a person to have a beer with is NEVER a problem. Not to mention the small talks in the hallway when studying in the University Library. My contact at the international office of my faculty was the most and the best contact person I have ever worked with! She made my life and my transition to the life in Groningen a lot easier! Thank you Heidi Scholtz!

My thought on biking is that it is great. Especially when it is warm and sunny it is one of the things you MUST do - take your bike and make a trip in the city just biking and enjoying the sun and the wind. Just make sure you have a good lock, because the bike is a very lucrative currency in Groningen, and do obey the traffic lights, you don't want to get a fine.

Definitely consider Groningen! You may hear a lot of different opinions about it, but honestly it is a city and University which will change your life as it did mine! It is indeed a city full of talent! When you get here, sooner or later you will realize that this is true. Not to mention the high quality education, the whole environment and experience is something which stays with you forever, and every time you get arrive in the city you feel at home!

Biography

Aiden Mehmed completed his Bachelors in Bulgaria, studied International Economic Relations, and pursued his Master of Science in International Economics and Business at the University of Groningen. Before Groningen, he had lived and worked in USA.

As part of his personal achievements, he received the Talent Grant from the RUG (given only to 2 EU students for the academic year), set up his own company 2 weeks after graduating, and successfully achieved his long term dream of pursuing a Masters abroad. He is interested in Business, Flying, Traveling, Technology, Marketing, Start-ups, Design and Entrepreneurship. He enjoys running, football, swimming, reading, music and cooking.