Fleur:

“Me and my team have conducted research for the Inner City Library of UM. The goal was to gather the student opinion about the ideal library of 2030 so that the library team, together with furniture company Eromesmarko, can incorporate these opinions during the remodeling of the ICL in 2030. It has been a wonderful experience to give something back to the university where I have been studying and to help the future students of UM. My team consisted of people with very different backgrounds and personalities, which made the teamwork challenging at times. However, that really provided us with the opportunity to learn from each other and to grow as individuals.”

Linh:

“I didn’t have a lot of work experience, so I decided to apply for PREMIUM and it was such an amazing experience! It was my first time working in an interdisciplinary team. We learned about each other’s strengths and were able to support each other during the challenging periods. We worked on a project for Marres, a contemporary art institute. For this project, we wanted to gain insight in how professionals use their senses in their field of expertise. We interviewed eight professionals, analyzed the interviews, and even created a microsite! While we were working on this project, I learned a lot about my own strengths and gained more self-confidence along the way.”

Jenna:

“My team and I worked on a project for ITEM. We wrote an impact assessment on international public transportation. This is very different from what I am used to doing, and that is exactly why I liked it! It gave me the opportunity to try completely different things and learn from my peers from different disciplines. We got a lot of good opportunities, like attending a symposium with different stakeholder, conducting interviews with important people (for example, from the Dutch government), and connecting with PhD students from Germany. Even after PREMIUM has ended, ITEM keeps in touch and provides us with many opportunities, such as publishing our work and attending an event in Brussels.”

Angelica:

“Participating in the PREMIUM programme was an amazing opportunity for me. Not only was I able to learn from other students coming from different academic backgrounds, but I was also able to learn how to work with clients and take advantage of the many workshops that PREMIUM provides. The PREMIUM programme really creates a supportive environment where you can grow along with other like-minded people and can lean on your mentor and coach when you need help with your project. One other aspect that I enjoyed was the coaching aspect. My coach helped me figure out ways to improve and gave me great advice to help me reach my PREMIUM goals.”

Irene:

“During PREMIUM, my team worked in collaboration with the hospital of Maastricht. We collaborated with the lung department to think and study the feasibility of implementing a monitoring app for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We conducted interviews with patients and maintained weekly contact with the hospital. I loved the way we worked together, and in the end, both the client and we were very happy with the final outcome. It was such an interdisciplinary experience, wherein we could learn a lot about other disciplines.”

Karolina:

“As a member of the Atos team, our mission was to explore the potential of the metaverse in the aviation industry. After extensive research, we focused on enhancing the training of air traffic controllers using metaverse technologies. Our journey took us through numerous interviews with aviation and development experts, and we even had the privilege of visiting the Eurocontrol headquarters in Brussels and the Maastricht Upper Area control centre. The most rewarding moment was during our final presentation when we successfully convinced Atos to invest further in our project. Working on this project provided me with invaluable experiences. It exposed me to a professional work environment, improved my communication skills, boosted my confidence in a business setting, and expanded my professional network. Moreover, the festive events hosted by PREMIUM allowed us not only to present our findings but also to learn from and celebrate the accomplishments of other teams – an aspect I truly enjoyed.”

Fleur:

“Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the workshops. Every workshop was a moment to reflect on my academic as well as my personal life. All the workshops thought me at least one, most of the time more, things that I have adapted into my life and that I am currently still using. The workshops where I learned less where great moments to appreciate and reflect on the skills and knowledge that I already possess.”

Linh:

“I always looked forward to attending the workshops! Besides learning and practicing new skills, the workshops were also a great place to talk with other PREMIUM students. I enjoyed hearing about their studies, their projects, and some of their favorite workshops. The snacks they provided at the workshops were also delicious.”

Jenna:

“I loved following the PREMIUM workshops, as it gave me the opportunity to grow in my professional development, while also meeting lots of new people and making new friends!”

Angelica:

“I really liked the variety of workshops that were provided. If I had the time, I would have wanted to go to all of them because they seem so interesting and useful. At each workshop I either learned new skills or was able to reflect and improve upon the ones I already had. The workshops are also well organized, the speakers chosen were engaging and food was always provided.”

Irene:

“I really enjoyed the opportunity PREMIUM gave us to attend to diverse workshops. This is an excellent opportunity that allows reflecting not only on the PREMIUM project itself but also on your general academic career and personal development. The workshops also helped me discover where I want to direct myself professionally and how to manage my abilities and improve relevant skills.”

Karolina:

“The PREMIUM workshops were a truly enriching experience, offering a diverse range of topics and presenters that were well-thought-out and engaging. These sessions not only enhanced my academic and personal skills but also provided valuable opportunities to connect with fellow PREMIUM students.”

Fleur:

“Me and my coach got along very well, and therefore our conversations have been very insightful. We found out that we have pretty similar personalities, so it was helpful to talk with him about his experiences and challenges with interdisciplinary teamwork.”

Linh:

“Coaching was personalized, based on what you wanted to work on. Part of the reason I applied for PREMIUM was so that I would get outside my comfort zone. I am quite introverted by nature and was worried about working in a team. The coach and my team helped me realize that it is alright to be myself and that I can be proud of my own strengths.”

Jenna:

“The coaching during PREMIUM really exceeded my expectations. I really felt that my coach was there for me and helped me develop learning goals that really helped in both my professional as my personal development.”

Angelica:

“For me, coaching was the most unique part of my PREMIUM experience. I was able to talk comfortably with my coach on the problems I encountered in reaching my goals. My coach seemed genuinely interested and invested in helping me work on my skills and I still use some of the advice she gave me today.”

Irene:

“My coach was exceptional. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity; not only did she empower me, but she also helped me build a valuable academic network. With her, I talked about some of my insecurities in the academic world and how to gain confidence and plan my professional pathway.”

Karolina:

“My coaching experience at PREMIUM was truly invaluable. Having my own coach meant having personalized support and guidance throughout the programme. The individual sessions allowed me to discuss my personal progress, while the group sessions focused on both personal and team development.”