UG Alumni Blog

The month of February enables us to stop and pause and reflect on the rich history of our beloved Africa. The month of February helps us reflect on our own biases, stereotypes, gaps in knowledge, and relationships.

You first need to enjoy what you are doing, then you can do it well.

Charles Drapers graduated from the IRIO programme at the University of Groningen in February 1990, which makes him the second IRIO graduate ever. After his graduation, he moved to Hong Kong and set up his firm producing WILLEX bike accessories and rainwear. 

My experiences added an enormous value to both my personal and professional development.

Looking back, I am extremely proud of that transition. I am very grateful I was able to listen to myself and had the courage and perseverance to go after what I wanted.

I checked my bag at least ten times to make sure the documents I had to bring were there. I was so nervous. I felt like a child on the first day of school – terrified. When I finally entered the building, my only thought was: „I’m so not ready for this!“

Could now be the right time to switch the perspective? Can we be entertained without being entertained? Can we take matters into our own hands, search for solutions in ourselves, rather than in external forces?

I wanted to be well informed about the opportunities that were available for me. In the beginning I was not entirely sure about the kind of research position I was aiming for.

Much as it was scary, it was also exciting and hopeful for me to live by myself in another country. Going to university is a big step in life and I am thankful to my younger self for the decision to spend my study years in Groningen. Here’s why:

I had more than a dozen job interviews, the recruiters are very interested in how you as a recent graduate are affected by this situation. In general, I had the feeling that recruiters show respect and understanding that it is not an easy time to find a job.