PREMIUM

“When I joined PREMIUM I had very high expectations, but the experience went far beyond those expectations. During these months I have had the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. All the workshops I attended, the meetings I had, and the project I carried out have given me a different perspective not only of the job market, but of life in general. Furthermore, I really appreciated the help of my mentor and coach. They were fantastic and always very supportive. I will now move to Brussels to undertake a traineeship at the Council of the EU, but I will never forget this life-changing experience.” - Michele D'Orazio (FASoS)

“Participating in the PREMIUM programme was an incredible experience, largely because it gave me the chance to work with a real-world client and build a network completely outside of my usual bubble. I learned what it takes to work in an interdisciplinary team, how to benefit from our different perspectives and tackle challenges like you would in an actual job. But the most important part for me was the support system. I am so thankful to my coach, mentor, and the coordinators. They genuinely cared about me as a person, not just another student. They were incredibly understanding and thoughtful of my personal circumstances and guided me through my tough times.” - Havzhin Rabbani (FHML)

“Now I understand what they told us at the beginning of the program: PREMIUM is about the process itself and not the end product. I learned a lot from the way we managed every challenge together and took advantage of our differences.” - Anabel Quineche Valdez (FASoS)

“Are you curious about PREMIUM? So was I and I am glad I was! People of
the premium programme are easy going and we are here because we want to
be here. It is fun to be with motivated and interesting people from different
academic backgrounds and work on a real-life project with an interdisciplinary
team. The entire experience was very enriching, you gain a lot of new insights
about a new industry, and learn more research skills. Don’t miss out on it!" - Laura Geith (SBE)

“Applying for PREMIUM was a great decision that threw me into an amazing experience. It was really nice to get more practical knowledge next to university, and to work with students from other disciplines. The application procedure is a very interesting process, because it’s quite the same procedure as you would go through when applying for a real job. The knowledge I have gained during this process will definitely come in handy over the next couple of months when I will be applying for jobs. Overall, I would definitely recommend the PREMIUM programme to other students.” - Celia Dejond (FASoS)

“Being part of the Premium Honors Programme is an incredible contribution for any student’s professional growth. By taking part in a project with a multicultural team for an external client, Premium helps you enhance and develop the required skills of this century for any job environment, making you face challenges, manage possible conflicts and improving your communication skills. For people with prior working experience, like it was in my case, Premium helps you gain understanding and increase your respect for diversity in views and cultural backgrounds, an experience that does not always happen when you start working. So my advice to any potential participant is “make the most out of it! It will be a great and valuable experience.” - Guadalupe Amesquita (UNU-MERIT)

“I was fortunate to be part of a great team which encouraged creative thinking and where each individual took responsibility. The whole experience showed me that, through embracing our diversity, we ultimately benefit more from our collective intelligence.” - Johann Ferreira (LAW)

“No matter how your project turns out, you will definitely get to develop your own personal skills. I learned a lot about myself which I would never had discovered if not participating in PREMIUM. During PREMIUM you are put in an environment which you don’t get by only studying. The interaction with real clients, together with workshops and personal coaching is a unique and precious opportunity you should not miss.” - Elin Börjedal (LAW)

“When I was first accepted in the PREMIUM Excellence Program, I felt this was both an opportunity and a challenge for me. After the past months, I realized that it was not only a huge chance to develop myself professionally and personally, but it was more of a life-time experience. Working for a big company as a member of a GREAT interdisciplinary team, I got to know myself more, my limits, strengths and weaknesses and I feel lucky to be part of a program that promotes learning and fun at the same time.” - Eleni Argyriou (FPN)

“PREMIUM is the opportunity you’ve been looking for if you truly want to go the extra mile! It is a programme where you can aim high and accomplish remarkable wins.” - Arthur Dessenius (SBE)

“I’m so glad I participated in PREMIUM. In the different workshops, I gained skills that are actually useful for my future, and I also learned a lot about myself through the coaching. But the best part was that I met so many like-minded people!” - Elena Pöhlmann (SBE)

“Taking part in PREMIUM was an amazing experience from which I benefitted in many different ways. Besides the numerous interesting sessions organised by the PREMIUM team, I particularly enjoyed the work in my project team. We all learned a lot about the industry of our client and had the chance to take advantage of the knowledge that we acquired during our studies in a practical way. In my case, the project even helped me to find a job. However, the best part of the whole programme was meeting new people and making new friends. In the end, PREMIUM was far more than just an addition to my master’s programme. It was an incredible experience, which I would recommend to everybody!” - Stefan Holzheuser (UNU-MERIT)

“PREMIUM gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills, to grow as a professional and individual, and to work together with such an internationally and academically diverse and inspiring group of people!” - Puck Slaats (FHML)

“For me, PREMIUM has been a window into the real job market. It gave me the means to identify what to be aware of and how to face it.” - Francesca Battipaglia (FSE)

“PREMIUM has provided me with an environment that has allowed me to expand my horizons across a wide range of topics, meet new (amazing) people and learn valuable life skills. I’m so grateful I got to participate!” - Lieke Dortmans (FHML)

“The PREMIUM experience allowed me to learn how to be professional in a safe environment. I believe the experience I have gained will help enormously as I enter the working world.” - Aisling Moylan (FASoS)

“When I first heard about PREMIUM from a friend, I was excited. As a law student, I wanted to do something more hands-on, something beyond just reading and theory. PREMIUM gave me that chance through practical work and workshops that helped me grow both soft and hard skills. It doesn’t prepare you for a single test, but it prepares you for real life. One of the best parts was working with a real client. I learned how to communicate professionally, do research for someone else’s needs, and stand for their interests. The trust and support we received from the client made it even more meaningful. Law often comes with a lot of reading, preparation and pressure. Managing time and stress can be a challenge. The PREMIUM workshops such as Time Management and Stress Management helped with that. They gave me the toolbox I still use today to stay focused and calm under pressure. If you’re looking to do something outside your studies, gain real-world experience, and grow as a person, I really recommend PREMIUM. It is for sure an investment in your future.” - Annefleur Timmermans (LAW)

“It truly is a wonderful program. I think I’ve grown and personally developed more in the PREMIUM program than in my master’s program because there’s so much emphasis on picking up skills and knowledge not known previously. Additionally, the things you pick up from a professional perspective are so unique. I’m really glad to have been part of this program and thank you so much to both Fabienne and Anna as well. They were simply amazing in organizing everything and responding to everything.” - Aparajith Dinesh (FPN)

“Yesterday, I successfully defended my thesis with a total grade of 8.6, and my internship grade is a 9. I am now officially graduated. I would like to thank you all for the support and help I have received from you, as without your help, I would not have been able to accomplish this. From September on, I will start my job as a research assistant at the department where you helped me find the internship. Perhaps I’ll see you again in the future, maybe I could even become a coach or mentor for PREMIUM one day :)” - Demi Boom (FHML)