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Experiencing Wageningen, by Tomas Reyes Jr.
Perhaps, my experience is just the same with that of every foreign student from the tropics. May be the only difference is that I am very close to my own family and I consider leaving them for two years a big sacrifice. Lessons may be learned from my story. My first two periods were very terrible. I did not fail in my courses of course but the misery of being away from my wife and kids made me depressed most of the time. It was hard to participate in the class sessions, brainstorm with group mates, read voluminous books and readers, finish assignments, and review exercises. I thought the solution was to stay in the dormitory after each class but I was wrong. You need to make friends in case you suffer in these difficulties. Thanks to my friends, they helped me surpassed this ordeal.
Students from the tropics won’t easily appreciate Trends in Forest and Nature Conservation (TNV 31306). This is offered in the first period. Honestly, I just appreciated and fully understand the importance of the said introductory course when I have taken all related advance courses. Most of the topics are not dealt in the university where I graduated. I was timid and never attempted to ask questions during my first two months here in the university. Foreign students should start asking questions, and never ever waste time and rely on readers. You will get much more information if you ask your professors.
Models for Forest and Nature Conservation (INF 21806) was the most difficult subject I have taken in my programme, but I have seen the importance of this course to my profession as a forester. Luckily, I survived with a good mark. I promised to myself to include this subject in our forestry baccalaureate program at the state college in the Philippines where I used to work.
I just learned to shift gear when I reached the third period. Since then, I appreciated the courses and have learned to focus on my studies ardently. I started to get better marks and learned to manage my time. I went to parties and friends’ dinner invitations. Wageningen is really a quiet place but there are programmed dance sessions where students and regular patrons could participate. Disco bars and parties are also scheduled where every student could hop in for a reasonable entrance fee. Drinks are not that expensive if you will consider in return the excitement and satisfaction that you will get. |
For nature lovers, Rhine river, Blauwe Kamer, Oostereng and Hoge Veluwe National Park are recommended. These are just only few kilometers away from the university, and can be reached by bike. I have been in these places several times. Biking the whole day in the forest and walking by the Rhine were forms of relaxation for me.
My favorite courses were Ecological Methods 1, where I learned quantitative statistics; Ecological Methods 2, where my group did field work and apply basic statistics; and the NCP 30306 - Field Course Vegetation Science and Systems Ecology, the most interesting part of my study programme. The latter’s lectures were held in Wageningen, however, the whole class went to Terschelling, one of the small islands on the north the Netherlands, for the field practicals. I remember that our topic was about the invasiveness and synecology of Populus tremula in the heathlands of Terchelling. We made a lot of plots and used different field instruments to measure several site environmental parameters. It was only two weeks, however it was full of fun that I have not only learned basic techniques in plant sociological studies but also met a bunch of international friends. I also experience to use the soil lab facility of the NCP Group for the soil chemical analysis.
I had also the chance of taking an excursion course (NCP 50403 – Landscape Ecology) while writing my thesis manuscript. The course was really satisfying since I have seen the semi-natural landscapes of the Netherlands from the mudflats of Kwade hoek to the forests of Hill country.
To all students of MFN (=MSc Forest and Nature Conservation), study well, make friends and enjoy your stay in Wageningen!!! |