Konstantina Christogianni, Greece

Why Groningen?

Finishing my high school in China, I was looking for a medium-sized city where I could develop academically and personally but also be able to contribute to. Groningen was perfect for that, as the size and culture of the city enabled me to meet people from all over the world and create a great support network. Simultaneously, the diversity of initiatives and organisations in Groningen allowed me to come in contact with people from very backgrounds and learn more about the local culture but also different cultures and global issues. Despite never having visited Groningen before deciding to study here, I was instantly charmed by its exciting, cosy, youthful and lively atmosphere. The people, culture and infrastructure in Groningen made my experience unforgettable as they enabled me to make the most of it. The diversity of the community of students who choose Groningen as their home during their studies creates a beautiful coalescence of different interests, backgrounds and perspectives which can spark individual growth and provide for a supportive atmosphere.

Why the University of Groningen?

Having had the opportunity to study in an international environment in the past, I was looking for a university that would offer an academically competitive environment, be in a vibrant city and would consist of a large international population. The determining factor when making my decision to study at the University of Groningen was the International and European Law bachelor degree. The courses on International law and European Union Law enabled me to gain knowledge, analytical research skills and develop critical thinking, while through courses on other disciplines such as political science and economics allowed me to view and evaluate law from a cross-disciplinary lense. Additionally, the University of Groningen offers courses and opportunities for students to utilise parallel to their studies. Throughout my time in Groningen, I took Dutch and Mandarin language lessons, an Entrepreneurship course and the Global Intercultural Engagement Distinction, which allowed me to continue learning beyond the scope of my degree. In my experience, the professors and staff were friendly, helpful and passionate to share their expertise and perspective which empowered me to enjoy my experience and fully harness the resources the University has to offer.

Biography

My name is Konstantina and I was born in Greece. I grew up there until the age of 16 where I decided to finish my last two years of secondary education in China. I moved to Groningen in 2018. At the University of Groningen, I am studying International and European Law and throughout my studies I have tried to enrich my experience by participating in different committees and organisations. Throughout my time, I was part of two committees in the Nexus Study Association and Amnesty International Student Group Groningen, where I was later on the board. Since March 2020, I have moved back to Greece where I was volunteering at a local NGO and am now finishing the last semester of my studies. After graduation, I am looking to continue studying law and pursue an LLM degree.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about making the most out of your studies in Groningen or need any advice. I would love to help!