Voorbij Zuyd Magazine for Zuyd University of Applied Sciences Alumni 2020|2021
Interview Studying abroad Graduation Writing your thesis? How do you approach this? Graduation blues I just couldn’t be bothered anymore Applying for jobs The new way
Hi!
This magazines contains everything you need to know about the final phase of your studies!
Content
4 Interview: Studying abroad
30
12
The new way
Writing your thesis?
to apply for jobs
How do you approach this?
19 Graduation blues: I just couldn’t be bothered anymore
And next… 4 Interview: Studying abroad 6 Internships abroad: A valuable experience 8 Speed date yourself to an internship 9 Keep learning even after you’ve graduated 10 Interview: Get yourself out there 14 Tips & Tricks for your graduation thesis 16 Cherish your study network 18 Learn to ask for help 20 Study delay: You’re not alone 22 Work first or do a Master’s? Don’t let your student debt get you 23 down 24 Stella Penders made a conscious choice for further study 26 The recipe for a perfect CV 28 Find something that’s right for you! 32 Yes! Got the interview! 33 Would you like to start receiving the Alumni Magazine? 34 Our mission is to remove the fear of driving Ten steps to set up your own business 35 36 End of study checklist
Publisher’s imprint Voorbij Zuyd is the magazine for Zuyd Alumni If you have any ideas for this magazine, send us an e-mail! This will help us make sure next year’s students are even better prepared for their graduation phase. Editors Marketing and Communication Services, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences communicatie@zuyd.nl telephone: +31 (045)4006479 Text Corine Castenmiller Lizette Colaris Franc Coenen Publiciteit Sjoukje Dijkstra Eveline de Bruijn-Mevis (Woorddokter) Coenegracht| Tekst & Communicatieproducties Students from the Journalism and Commercial Writing minor at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences Photography Jonathan Vos Johannes Timmermans Simøns Studiø Design Homo Ludens design agency Printing OBT DE BINK Thank you to all the students and staff who have contributed to this magazine. Edition: April 2021
Foreword
After all these years of school and studying, the finish line is finally in sight. Not long now and those lecture halls will be a thing of the past. Or will they? Will you go for a Master’s programme or straight to a job? You’ve got so much to deal with, and that makes it tough to decide what’s the right thing for you right now. Certainly now that the pandemic has made everything so unclear and uncertain. And then there are all the practical matters you’ll have to deal with when you graduate. Do you know what you’ll need to do? That’s why we’ve produced this magazine for you, full of information that’s sure to be important in this phase of your studies. We’re confident that once you’ve reached the last page, you’ll know enough about what you can start doing right now to make sure your graduation is one big celebration! We hope you enjoy reading it and wish you all the best for your studies and graduation! Editors
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Check the lightbulbs throughout the magazine for all our handy tips.
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Interview
Want to learn more about studyi ng in Aachen ?
Studying abroad:
‘Overcome your fear and just go for it’
Take a look a t studerenina ken.nl
Ivo Merk Alumnus Engineering
RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) is just over the border in the German city of Aachen. It’s a top university in our own EU region with a huge number of international students. Various Zuyd research centres already cooperate with this university. If you’re considering further academic study after your Bachelor’s degree, you don’t need to look far from home. And you also immediately gain valuable international experience. It’s really interesting for Zuyd Bachelor's students looking for a follow-up study at Master’s level! Are you interested? Ivo Merk has been there and done that. Read about his experiences here.
Family and friends thought he was mad when he decided to do a Master’s after his Engineering degree. But that’s just what Ivo Merk did. He went to study in Germany at the RWTH in Aachen. Ivo was certainly not the model of German-style efficiency, and certainly didn’t have particular talent for languages. It was hard work, but Ivo would recommend it to everyone. ‘After my Bachelor’s degree I still didn’t feel ready to start work,’ explained Ivo Merk. ‘I was looking for more depth and wanted to investigate how things work.’ He decided on a three-year Master’s degree taught in English: Electrical Power Engineering at RWTH. Why Aachen? ‘Actually it’s quite simple. The study really appealed to me and the tuition fees were quite a bit lower than at TU Eindhoven or TU Delft.’ No language barrier Ivo first needed to successfully complete a mathematics and an 4 / voorbij zuyd
English course before he could start. ‘I’d expected to face problems with English during my studies, as I’m not that great with languages. But things were only a bit awkward and clumsy for the first week. After that you develop quickly because you’re in a group with other international students, and that also made it really fun. You meet people from all kinds of nationalities, and you learn a lot about each other’s culture and customs.’ Another mindset needed The study programme itself was a disaster in that first semester. ‘The gap between the Bachelor's and Master's programme was huge and I was really behind in certain subjects. It made me wonder whether I should continue.’ But it was what Ivo wanted so he changed his mindset and adjusted to the German study mentality. ‘In Germany you’re expected to really understand the subjects and acquire in-depth knowledge. The Dutch way of scraping a 5.5 just to pass is abso-
lutely not done. You need to perform and you need to know what you’re doing. You need to go for a 9 or 10.’ I gained so much ‘It was a huge switch, but I was really motivated and I gained so much. I learned to work so hard in those three years, made new friends, and acquired huge amounts of knowledge. For my thesis I worked at the IAEW Institute in Aachen. We conducted dielectric tests in the lab up to 100,000 volts and created ‘lightning flashes’ even up to 1,000,000 volts. An invaluable experience.’ And... armed with my Master’s, I was able to choose from three jobs. Just do it! Ivo recommends that everyone should study abroad. ‘I notice that there’s not much interest among Dutch students for studying in Aachen. They think it will be too much work or too difficult. But they couldn’t be more wrong. Don’t be afraid of taking that step. Overcome your fear and just go for it.’
Working/studying abroad
Internships abroad
Doing an internship abroad is a unique way to learn a new language or culture. So it’s no surprise that more and more students are choosing to do this. However, the coronavirus pandemic means you can’t assume you can arrange such an internship. So, how do you approach this? And what kinds of things do you need to take into account? Pascalle Manderveld, internship coordinator at Zuyd’s Oriental Languages and Communications study programme, ensures you are completely up-to-date. Every year Pascalle guides students in their search for their graduation internship at companies both at home and abroad. This search actually starts from the third academic year. 6 / voorbij zuyd
Working/studying abroad
Interested in a grant? The VSBfonds off ers socially enga ged students the op portunity to ap ply for a grant. Grants are made availa ble every year to Ba chelor's or Mas ter’s degree students who graduate at a Dutch university of applied scien ces or university. Th e grant can’t be used for internships. VSBfonds gran ts are capped at €10, 000. Further in formation can be foun d at www.vsbfon ds.nl.
Pascalle Manderveld Internship Coordinator International Office
Go for an international experience During the orientation phase, students decide for themselves whether they want to stay in the Netherlands, or go abroad. But where to exactly? Pascalle responded: ‘Where you can and are permitted to do your internship depends on the study programme requirements. For the Oriental Languages and Communication (OTC) study programme, the intercultural and language component of Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic certainly plays an important role. But that doesn’t mean that you can only gain international experience by doing an internship abroad. There are so many opportunities. For instance, a number of students following a language specialism in Chinese have chosen to do an internship at a large logistics company in Venlo. They did, however, go on a business trip to China.’ Nevertheless, Pascalle does recommend choosing an internship abroad if you get the chance. ‘Such an internship really offers added
value and can help you stand out from the rest, both on your CV and on the labour market. However, the pandemic means you can’t assume you can arrange this so easily.’ Internships during a pandemic Internships are different now because of the pandemic. ‘In the early days of the coronavirus crisis, we still had students on internships in Japan, Dubai, or Egypt. However, it quickly became clear that not everyone could stay abroad. We remained in close contact with our students and offered them the opportunity to complete their internships online. Some students, however, decided to put their study and internship on hold for a while, because they really wanted to complete their final internship abroad, which is understandable.’ If you’re still looking for an international internship, it’s no longer a certainty that you can actually go abroad for it. ‘Fortunately however, the number of opportunities is increasing, including online. For
instance, almost all of the current fourth-year Oriental Languages and Communications students have found internships with an international focus, but located in the Netherlands. Most students are working partly at home and partly at the internship provider’s location. Unfortunately, as the coronavirus regulations keep changing students also need to be really flexible. Luckily, Zuyd can facilitate a lot online.’ Important to know If you do want to do your internship abroad, you’ll need to take certain things into account. Pascalle responded: ‘Read about and immerse yourself in the culture and customs; each country has its own local habits, norms, and values. You’re plunged into a culture that’s not your own so you need to be well-prepared for this. Also consider your financial situation because you can’t always rely on getting an internship allowance. Are any grants available? Do you need a visa? Is it achievable? And what about accommodation?’
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Networking ‘You need to make clear what’s important to you and what you want your internship to entail,’ she explained. ‘Be honest about what you want, what you’re looking for and about your strengths and weaknesses.’ Was speed dating a success? ‘Well, I managed to find an internship via speed dating! Without speed dating, I think I’d still be searching now,’ says Maud.
Speed dating with potential employers Find an internship in fifteen minutes Speed dating: a fast and truly efficient way to find potential partners. Not only in love but also in business. That is why Zuyd’s Career Services have established the Meet Your Future speed dating event, so you can get to know potential internship companies in a flexible and fun way. Hundreds of interviews took place between students and companies during the first online edition of Meet Your Future. Speed dating enables both parties to get a good idea of each other so you can see immediately if there’s a match! Zuyd students Dahnee, Vincent, and Maud tried the speed dating in their search for an internship. Dahnee de la Croix (fourth-year Business Studies student) had already sent many e-mails and open applications letters but without success. Her internship coordinator recommended that she take part in the speed
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dating event, which had actually already started. At the eleventh hour Dahnee still managed to arrange a few interviews. Would she have preferred to speak to the internship providers in person? ‘Although it’s not the exactly same communicating via a laptop, the differences are not so huge. Companies did their very best to make a good impression’. Dahnee’s got a good tip on how important it is to be well prepared for the interviews: know what you want to ask. Maud Maluche (fourth-year Facility Management student) was looking for an internship. Even though she was still busy doing her minors, she wanted to find out more about interesting sectors and organizations. After the speed dating, she’s got a good idea of what she wants and knows what kind of internship would suit her.
Vincent Welling (fourth-year Commercial Economy student) had found three companies that he really liked the look of. ‘How do you know whether you’re choosing the right companies? You don’t actually know that, which is what’s so great about speed dating’, smiled Vincent. Having a click with a company was really important for him, and he felt that immediately with one of the speed dates. ‘Without speed dating I would’ve had to make loads of phone calls and visits only to find out that a company wasn’t even on the lookout for an intern. With speed dating, the companies are already looking for someone so the chance of a match is much higher.’ Vincent has good memories of the event: ‘For me it wasn’t only a success because I found an internship, it also gave my self-confidence a huge boost!’ Could you do with a boost? Well now’s the right time, as the next dating event will take place on 17 May 2021. More information about this speed dating event can be found on the careerservices.zuyd.nl website. Webinars will also be offered in edition to the events.
Zuyd Professional
Keep learning even after you’ve graduated
Having got your degree, you can now start your professional career. After all those years studying, you're all set to gain experience the real world. But sometimes you might find a suitable job, and after a while discover you're still lacking some of the required in-depth knowledge. Or perhaps you want to unleash your inner manager? Zuyd Professional is here to help. Zuyd offers a range of options, from training days, short courses, and masterclasses to entire Bachelor's programmes, Master's programmes, and Associate degrees. Zuyd Professional offers suitable courses in Maastricht, Heerlen, and Sittard for every professional field. You can take a course or training whenever it suits you. The programmes are designed specifically to accommodate the needs of people who work and study. This includes aspects like flexible start moments, choosing your own curriculum, and a direct link to your workplace.
Training on offer Subjects • Business administration & management • Construction & technology • Career guidance • Education • Personal skills
In-person education and coronavirus In-person education is important for Zuyd Professional. We will keep doing this as long as this is permitted – after all, you learn a lot from others. The one-and-a-half-metre rule means that not all education within Zuyd can be organized under one roof, which is why lessons have been taking place at various locations in Limburg since autumn 2020. The groups are generally small (five to twelve people) and the rooms are large, which ensures that we can guarantee the required distance.
More information Visit www.zuydprofessional.nl for more information. Or use the contact form
You can find the whole range of study programmes at: www.zuydprofessional.nl.
#Stayrelevant! You can find information on all the options within your field of work at www.zuydprofessional.nl.
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Interview
Chanou Peeters in Glasgow:
‘Get yourself out there’ Chanou Peeters European Studies Alumna used a VSBfonds grant to go to Glasgow to do the Global Migrations & Social Justice Master
So there I was. Totally alone, my suitcases weighed a ton, and my room was on the sixth floor. Would’ve been fine if the lift had been working. I couldn’t really have known – I was organizing everything from the Netherlands – but I hadn’t exactly ended up in the nicest part of Glasgow. Nice start. start
Chanou completed her study in January. She’s currently living back in Maastricht and is working as trainee at the Province of Limburg. 10 / voorbij zuyd
Chanou is anything but your average student: she graduated from Zuyd in European Studies at the age of nineteen (‘I skipped two years in primary school’). She was born in Korea and, after graduating in July 2018, planned to go on to migration studies. ‘I’ve never had any bad experiences myself; everybody was always super friendly. So why are Muslims treated so badly? Why are the Polish accused of stealing jobs? That’s what I wanted to understand, and that’s what I’m learning now.’ Chanou completed a Master’s in Global Migrations & Social Justice at the University of Glasgow. ‘The university has a good reputation and takes a fairly practical approach (for a research university). Plus, after my student exchange in Canada, I really wanted to stay in Europe this time.’ After the somewhat shaky start, Glasgow proved to be tremendous. ‘It’s a really international city.’ Chanou thought her English was good, but she needed time to adjust to the academic vocabulary. The shift in study culture was also a big one. ‘At Zuyd, everyone starts studying hard right before exams, but here they study hard all the time. They’re in
the library every day. So you just follow suit, and before you know it, you’re in the library every day too.’ Does she have any tips for students who want to study abroad? Yes: Start preparing early! ‘You might have a good idea of what you want to do, but there are loads of unexpected things you’ll need to organize such as enrolment, money, and accommodation. You might even need a visa, and all while you’re busy writing your final thesis. I was super stressed doing it all. I started organizing things in January, but if I had to do it again, I would start in November.’ Get yourself out there ‘Being alone in a foreign country might be scary, but you need to open yourself up and just dive in. Get yourself out there! Do stuff – play sport, even go along to things you don’t particularly like: you might meet some nice people. I met my best friend at the highland games, and bagpipes are seriously not my thing.’
Graduation
Writing your thesis? How do you approach this? Annelies Falk Graduation supervisor and founder of the Graduation lab
We asked Annelies Falk, graduation supervisor and founder of the graduation lab the most frequently asked questions about writing a thesis. In the graduation lab, Annelies helps long-term students graduate, partly by helping them finish their theses. She shares her best tips with us.
How do I choose a topic that’s worthwhile for me and my internship or client? According to Annelies it all starts with a cup of coffee. Well, not really the actual coffee. But just chatting with a lecturer, co-student, client, or internship representative. You don’t need to do it all alone. Bouncing ideas off someone can really help. It’s also important to work out where your interests lie first and then start building on that. But also talk to your client: what are they involved in?
tremely important that your research questions are clear. Because: how can you do research if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for? There’s also a general rule: think about your target group. And, again, make sure you chat with someone! It’s so incredibly important to talk to others about this. Who is better placed to help you than hands-on practitioners and experts? You don’t need to sit with your nose in books the whole day. Planning
Another tip is: Read through your previous work. What work have you produced over the past few years? You might find a really interesting assignment that you can build on. Research What should I watch out for when conducting research? Annelies admits that this differs per
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study programme. But there are some general things you need to do. It’s ex-
How much time do I need to spend on my thesis? You should spend most of your time on the research, as writing your thesis is only part of that process. But let’s admit it: writing a thesis involves a huge amount of work. However, you can make things a lot easier on yourself. Many students start writing without having a plan. It’s so much
Graduation easier if you draw up a framework first. Produce a layout of the main chapters and what you want to say in those chapters. That will help you fit your research into your thesis. How can I stick to my plan? Make sure you don’t take on too much in one go. Research shows that we can only do intensive cognitive work for ‘just’ five or six hours per day. Outside of those hours, you can do less intensive work, such as checking for typing errors. According to Annelies, if you work intensively on your thesis for five hours a day, you’ll easily hand in your thesis on time. Setting interim deadlines for yourself can also help. Set these on Fridays, for example, so you can enjoy a wellearned rest at the weekend. Reward yourself when you’ve finished something, too. Even if it’s just one chapter. Useful tips Language use Annelies notices that students often find it hard to express things on paper, while they can explain it to her. It’s absolutely fine writing something in your own, ‘normal’ language first. After all, this is all about your own thought processes. You can always take out any errors later or rewrite sentences. A golden tip from Annelies: ‘Explain things exactly as you would to someone in the pub. Imagine you’ve had a couple of beers and someone asks you what your thesis is about.’
Keep asking questions, keep trying things out and above all, don’t let your thesis come to a standstill. That only makes it more difficult to get started again. OK, last time, I swear: drink. coffee. with. someone. A new approach sometimes works wonders, and it can never do any harm to talk with someone about it.
‘
OK, last time, I swear: drink. coffee. with. someone. A new approach can sometimes work wonders
Feedback It can sometimes be difficult to get focused feedback. So make sure you’re asking clear questions: what do you want to know? And the rule applies here too: you only get out what you put in. If you put effort and time into your thesis, someone else will do that for you too. Obstacles and pitfalls At some point, maybe more than once, you’ll be extremely frustrated and you’ll not be able to see a way forward with your thesis. That’s unavoidable, unfortunately, but it’s not the end of the world. Make sure that your thesis keeps ‘developing’.
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Graduation
Tips & tricks for writing your thesis When you’re writing your thesis, it’s important that you produce a practical and realistic plan. Do that with someone else and make agreements. Mirjam Ubachs, lecturer and thesis supervisor for the Commercial Management study programme, presents some and
dos
don’ts below that will help you to successfully complete
your thesis.
Think of your lecturer as someone with whom you can brainstorm about the problem, not as someone who just gives feedback. Send a joint e-mail message every week to your lecturer and company supervisor. The lecturer and company supervisor can then see each other’s feedback on the draft. In the second week of your internship, make sure that your supervising lecturer pays you a visit to discuss the research issues etc. with you and your company supervisor. Brainstorm together and make sure that everyone’s expectations are clear afterwards. Ensure you communicate regularly and openly with everyone involved, so that everyone knows about each other’s expectations, progress, and any feedback. Try to process feedback as effectively as possible and discuss with whoever is giving the feedback about why the feedback was given. Then adjust the feedback together and incorporate it into your assignment or project. Write your thesis using language that everyone understands – your neighbour should be able to read it.
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Regularly print out your thesis and read your hard copy: try to optimize your use of English, sentence structure, spelling, etc. Reading the text out loud and asking yourself ‘What does this actually say’? often helps. Avoid long, complex, and unreadable sentences. Write your thesis for your target groups: the client and school/examiner. Empathize with these target groups. Make sure your thesis is in line with your study programme’s requirements in terms of the order of the parts, the research topics to be approved, and other aspects. Place a note on your laptop with your client’s business goal (i.e. the goal they want to achieve with the recommendations from your thesis), so that you work with the end goal in mind and avoid adding all kinds of other subjects. It will also help you focus better. Be brave enough to finish chapters and move on. You might be tempted to add in new theory you come across when you’ve finished your literature research, but don’t – you could easily run out of time.
Graduation
Publish your graduation work If you want to get you r final project noticed, you can have it published by www.hbo-kennisbank.n l. Your pro gramme will determine whether you can publish your work. You retain the copyright to the work and can always ask Zuyd University libr ary to remove the final project from the database. If you did your project for a company or other client, then check to make sure that they consent to the publication. For more information, visit Zuydnet>studying>acad emicguidance>graduate.
Think you can do everything on your own. Only involve your supervising lecturer and your company supervisor in your progress and your thesis when it’s already too late. Start planning too late and don’t stick to your plan. Ignore feedback. Ignore the thesis assessment form. Never take the time to make sure your thesis is in line with the criteria on the assessment form. Be stubborn. Your supervising lecturer only wants to help you to submit a successful thesis. Be put off by the amount of feedback. Your supervisor just wants to help you. Think of feedback as criticism.
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Interview
Britt's tip: Cherish your study network Britt Dear Personnel adviser Business Studies Alumna
For Britt Dear, graduating didn’t mean saying goodbye to Zuyd University of Applied Sciences forever. As an HR adviser and alumna, she now assesses Zuyd students’ Bachelor's theses herself.
On the other side of the desk After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in People and Business Management (now known as Business Studies), Britt followed the Master’s programme in Law and Labour at Maastricht University. She is now a second assessor for theses submitted by Zuyd students. ‘People and Business Management is a broad programme, which is exactly what I wanted to do after finishing intermediate education (MBO). But as I definitely wasn’t the only one who had this idea, I wanted to go into even greater depth,’ says Britt. She currently works as an HR adviser at Maastricht UMC+. ‘I was one of 120 applicants. After I got the job, I heard that my Master’s was one of the reasons I was chosen – it’s a specialization that makes you stand out.’ Maintaining links with Zuyd Britt sets aside time for her old programme department on several occasions each year. In addition to organizing the annual Business Studies Day together with a fellow former student, she assesses fourth-year students’ final theses. She enjoys maintaining her link with Zuyd. ‘When I read the theses, I notice that the students are still thinking and writing based on theory. It reminds me of myself, gathering knowledge from books and the internet. But now, I can combine this theory with practical experience.’ Practice is often a bit more abstract than the more solid theory. When students are coming up with their plan of approach, Britt is there to give them tips on how to better incorporate the practical side of things in their thesis. ‘I ask questions that get students thinking, which is something that didn’t happen when I was a student.’ 16 / voorbij zuyd
Informative If she can, Britt likes to attend the thesis defence. ‘It’s great seeing how students have used my tips.’ In total she’s busy with a thesis for around five hours. Zuyd pays her a fee as a second assessor. But money isn’t Britt’s motivation. ‘It’s a learning experience for me as well. It’s been five years since I learnt about theory. Although I follow courses on a regular basis, assessing the theses means I get to learn about even more new theories.’ At Maastricht UMC+, she works on improving employees’ long-term health and well-being, known as ‘generation policy’. ‘Reading a thesis on this subject would get me thinking, as I want to know what’s being said about the current generation.’ Cherish your network! Aside from her formal work, Britt just loves coming back to her old programme department. ‘I always enjoyed my time here. But I must say, it was a little strange sitting on the other side of the desk.’ How long do you think you’ll be doing this for? ‘I hope I can still be part of this group in twenty years’ time,’ says Britt, smiling. Continuing to be involved in her old programme department also enables her to promote her work as an HR adviser. ‘Quite a few first-year students have a certain view of HR. In reality, it’s very different. HR is broader. I’m able to show them that.’ Britt finishes with a tip: cherish the network you built up during your student years. ‘It’s always important to stay in touch with your connections. Without them, I probably wouldn’t even have had this job.’
Graduation blues:
What can a psychologist do for you? Learn to ask for help When you get close to graduation, the world is at your feet. It’s a great time – but for many students, it’s also terrifying. Questions like ‘What am I going to do?’ and ‘Is there enough work out there?’ can continually race through your head. ‘Relax. You’re not the only one struggling with this’, stated student psychologist Michêlle Lacroix. In her eighteen years at Zuyd, she’s seen it time and time again: students who hit a rough patch in the final phase of their studies. She says: ‘It’s often a combination of factors. Students are searching for meaning at exactly the moment the pressure hits them because they’ve really got to finish their studies in four years. It’s a very critical phase of life, in which you’re developing part of your identity. This all mounts up and results in a lot of mental stress.’ Let yourself feel what you’re feeling! Michêlle says it’s important to reach out for help as soon as you start struggling with fear and doubt. She would stress an important message, which is: ‘Stay true to yourself. Let yourself feel what you’re feeling. Give yourself the time and space you need to grow through it. It’s okay to have doubts and to not know all the answers. Remember that an educational institute is actually meant to be the place where you practice the tools you’ll need in the real world.’ Strengthen your own sense of self ‘Research has shown that a significant portion of cases of depression can be traced to experiences before the age of 25. ‘That shows just how crucial this period is. After parents, teachers are, from a pedagogical standpoint, the most important people in the student’s life.
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The importance of good support cannot be overstated. It’s also good to seek contact, including with other students. After all, we are stronger together than alone. This is how you can strengthen your own sense of self.’
Michêlle Lacroix, Heerlen
Remember that at Zuyd, we don’t stop at the end of your programme. Did you know you can still come to us for help up to a year after you graduate?
Marcel Bellefroid, Heerlen
Michêlle’s three important tips: • Doubts? Fears? Depressive thoughts? Talk about them. • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. • Reach out to other students, teachers, or family and friends. After all, we are stronger together than alone. This helps strengthen your own sense of self. Want to make an appointment? Zuyd has four student psychologists, who are based in Maastricht, Sittard, and Heerlen. You are free to choose any one of them to speak to. To make an appointment, send an e-mail to studentenpsychologen@zuyd.nl or call the Student Affairs service on +31 (0)45 400 62 53.
Dianne Verluyten, Maastricht
Jolanda Navis, Sittard
Graduation blues:
‘I just couldn’t be bothered anymore’ Alexandra is 22, and in her fourth year at the School of Translation (Vertaalacademie). We asked her: ‘Have you got the graduation blues?’ She nods gravely. ‘Yeah, you could say that.’ Alexandra tells us how it came to be, what she did about it, and what the pitfalls were along the way.
(For privacy reasons, ‘Alexandra’ is not the student's real name. The interviewee's real name is known to the editorial staff.)
‘I had been dealing with some problems for a while. Then my final project came along, I had assignments to submit, plus I had to work to pay for my degree. On top of all that, I even had a conflict with my graduation supervisor. That all turned out to be a miscommunication and it's fine now, but it was a lot to deal with all at once. I just didn't want to study anymore. “Anything but studying,” I thought. I started doing all sorts of other stuff, fun stuff. And I threw myself into my job, because then I had an excuse: I have no time for school, because I have to work. But it was all just escapism and avoidance.’
‘What problems was I dealing with exactly? They were health issues. I have a chronic illness, so I'm always tired, in pain, and have mood swings. I went to see the student counsellor, and we came to some agreements. There's an attendance requirement, for example, but if I'm not feeling up to it, then I don't need to come to class. The counsellor also sent me to see Dianne Verluyten, the student psychologist.’
ing about it that people really understand you and why you're not in class, for example. My sessions with Dianne really helped. Getting an objective outsider's opinion is very reassuring. It offers support, plus you get tips and advice. That's my message to anybody going through issues in their final year: talk about it. Whatever you do, get talking – it's important.’
‘At first you think: I just won't mention it to anyone. You feel ashamed, and you don't want anyone to think you're weak. But it's only when you start talk-
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Long-term students
You're not alone Study delays 20 / voorbij zuyd
Long-term students
If you run into some trouble during the final stages of your degree, one thing is for certain: you’re not alone. There are more students who find themselves in this position, and there are people who can help you. Don’t let things overwhelm you – ask for help. Lilian Bastings Senior lecturer and study adviser at the School of Information Technology
What are some of the ways people fall behind? There are lots of different causes, says Lilian Bastings, senior lecturer and academic advisor at the School of Information Technology. ‘The final project sometimes trips people up. It might just be too difficult, you might not understand it, or the context might have changed.’ Other students might panic and think: ‘Oh my god! I’m graduating soon – real life is about to begin! What should I do? What do I want, what direction should I take?’ It’s conscious and sub-conscious thoughts like these that can lead to delays in finishing your studies. Lilian adds: ‘I sometimes think: the university should run a course for students in their final year, called: Graduation – now what?’ Whatever the reason, help is always available. The university has people who can help if you fall behind: academic guidance counsellors, study coaches, student counsellors, student psychologists – they are all people who can be
approached directly. Lilian adds: ‘Your graduation supervisor can also help you, of course. The problem is that you’ve often only known them for a short time, which makes it hard to talk about problems, especially problems of a more personal nature. But you may have built up trusted relationships with other people over the course of your studies, such as the academic guidance counsellor, or maybe even a lecturer you have a good relationship with. Don’t let things overwhelm you – ask for help. Don’t let things fester; don’t leave things until you’ve already failed your final assessment. You need to take action as soon as you notice something’s wrong; that part is your own responsibility.’ The return days or interim evaluations present good opportunities to do so. ‘At those times, you can also ask your supervisor how they think things are going. Talking to fellow students about problems you are experiencing – in online groups, for example – can also be very useful.’ In short, there are plenty of opportunities to get help. All you need to do is ask.
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Further study
Master’s degree and your Stufi (study finance)
Should I work? Or should I first study for a Master’s? Got your degree but feel there’s still more you
How do you apply for study finance if you’re going to do a funded Master’s? You may be entitled to study finance, but only if you’re going to follow a funded Master’s progr amme.1 Zuyd has various funded and non-funded Mast er’s programmes.
want to learn? Then go for a Master’s programme. A Master’s degree shows that you can also look at your subject from a strategic perspective while integrating theory and practice. It
Loan from DUO After your Bachelor’s programme, you’r e usually no longer entitled to supplementary study finance. However, you can get a loan from DUO: you determine how much you want to borrow per month and how much debt builds up. The conditions for taking out a loan with DUO are more favourable than with a bank, for example.
also offers additional growth prospects. Here is a list of the Master’s programmes offered at Zuyd. Master of Facility and Real Estate Management
Free public transport If you didn’t use more than four years’ study finance and the student travel pass for your Bachelor’s programme, you can use your student travel pass for one more year as a Master’s student. Some multiyear Mast er’s programmes even allow for an additional one-y ear extension, but only if you’re enrolled as a full-ti me student.
Master of Personal Leadership in Innovation and Change Advanced Nursing Practice
Loans on good terms If you borrow money during your Master’s, you build up student debt that you have to pay back to DUO after graduation. You also pay interest on this loan, but this rate is low. You have 35 years to pay back your debt, in accordance with your income and abilit y to pay. See www.duo.nl. for information on interest and repayments.
Master of Health Innovation Master of Midwifery Master of Architecture
Temporary postponement of repayment You repay your student debt according to your income and ability to pay. This means that you pay a maximum of four per cent of the extra income you earn above the minimum wage. If you earn less than the minimum wage, you do not need to make repayment s (temporarily). For more information regarding your personal situation, contact DUO via www.duo.nl .
Master of Interior Architecture Master of Scientific Illustration Master of Music Master of Theatre
Financial compensation for coronaviru s The government has taken various meas ures to support students financially during the coronaviru s pandemic. The provisions are mainly to compensat e for any study delay but can also benefit you if you’re plann ing to keep studying. See www.duo.nl for the curre nt status. A funded programme is one that is supported by the government. You pay the statutory tuition fee. These are usually much lower than the tuition fee for a non-funded Maste r’s programme, for which you pay the institutional tuitio n fee. 1
22 / voorbij zuyd
Financial matters
r u o y t e l t ’ n Do t b e d t n e d stu n w o d u o y t ge After graduating, you may still need to repay student loans to DUO. Do you think you might struggle? And how do you repay your loans? How does it work? You only have to start paying back your loans after two years, and you only make repayments for max. 35 years. Your monthly repayment is based on your income and how much student debt you have. So you don’t have to worry about having to pay back a large amount of money if you don’t have a job yet or if you have a low income. The current interest rate on study debts is also very low. See www.duo.nl for the most recent interest rate. Can I get a mortgage? As said, you don’t need to start repaying straight after your graduation, and you don’t need to pay more each month than what DUO has calculated. However, you may make extra repayments, which can be useful if you’re planning on buying a house. Having student debt will not prevent you from getting a mortgage, but your debt will be included in the calculation of your maximum mortgage amount.
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voorbij zuyd / 23
Interview
Stella Penders made a conscious choice for further study Stella Penders Nursing Alumna and Master of Health Innovation and District Nurse at Envida
More in forma tion about fur the r s and a tudy Maste r at Zu can be yd found on page.2 2→
Stella Penders did it. In February, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Zuyd and went on to study for a Master’s in Health Innovation. She’s also a district nurse at Envida, an organization that provides at-home care. She especially likes the combination of studying and working. Why did she choose to continue studying straight away? And what tips does she have for you?
‘If, like me, you’re practice-oriented but want in-depth knowledge, then studying and working is the perfect combination. If you want to continue studying after your Bachelor’s, my advice is to go and find out more: go to Open Days, information evenings, and experience days. Talk to someone at your research university or university of applied sciences to see what options you have.’ Further study, but not overly academic As a fairly recent course that Zuyd has been offering for a year now, the Master’s in Health Innovation is aimed at a very diverse target group: physiotherapists, dieticians, nurses, and occupational therapists. ‘Some students even have their own practice,’ says Stella. ‘The programme is unique in that it allows students to tackle practical situations from their work based on assignments, methods, and analyses. That’s what I 24 / voorbij zuyd
enjoyed right from the beginning.’ Being able to continue studying at Zuyd is a big plus for Stella: ‘Although you go up a level, the working method – both online and offline – is the same. The programme is also more practice-oriented than most Master’s programmes, which I’m totally fine with, as I didn’t want my further study to be overly academic.’ Further study: Stella’s tips Tip 1: ‘If you know what you want and are going to study for a Master’s at Zuyd, be open. See if it suits you, and if you really like it, the rest will come naturally. Tip 2: If you want to continue studying but don’t know in which direction yet, ask to see one of Zuyd’s career advisors – you’ll soon find out what’s right for you.’ Nominated for a thesis award Stella’s method of directly applying her innovative ideas in practice has already got her
a nomination for an eHealth thesis award. ‘As part of our graduation assignment for our Nursing programme, I joined forces with fellow student Natasja Kitzen to research the influence of Qwiek.up, a mobile image projector for people with dementia. This is a non-drug therapy that shows sound-supported images to people with dementia when they’re in distress. Although the professional jury put us in first place, the vote from the public meant we ended up in second.’ Stella expects to complete her Master’s programme at the end of the academic year. She is curious about what added value it will have: ‘I think every workplace has some sort of innovation process, care especially, so I expect to be able to use my knowledge wherever I end up.’
voorbij zuyd / 12
Photo from the image bank
Applying for jobs
The recipe for a perfect CV Possibly the most important piece of text you will write is your CV. In a CV, you are pitching yourself. Learn the dos and don’ts of writing a perfect CV. Is my CV really that important? Employers want to avoid being deluged by applications every time they have a job opening, so they save the CVs of the candidates they like, even when they give the nod to someone else for that particular job. The next time a job opening comes up, HR reviews the file of previously received CVs first. So your CV should jump out. That puts you right back in the race every time there’s a job opening. Of course, it’s always important to have a good CV. Two pages is enough Do you like reading long documents? Of course not – nobody does. Especially not recruiters. They screen CVs the way you browse Instagram. Two pages is long enough. Thirty seconds should be long enough to make an impression with your elevator pitch; your CV should be able to stand out in the same amount of time. Be brief and to the point. Start with what you think the employer will value the most. So start with the strongest work experience and education. Only then start describing your school experience, in reverse chronological order. Limit your CV to: • name, address, date of birth • programmes studied • diplomas • internship and work experience
as well as other relevant experience • language skills • four to six competences • personal profile Wanted: new graduates with work experience You know how it works. Employers are really looking for that mythical creature: someone who’s just graduated, but also has work experience. Are you sure that’s not you? Think hard: • If you have relevant internship experience, say it! • Are you on the programme committee? Maybe the Advisory Council? That’s relevant experience, and it shows your commitment. • Have you participated in a student company? That counts too. • Are you active on the board of the student council? Write it down!
Whatever you do, don't: • make any typos or spelling errors. • leave any gaps in your timeline. (they raise questions) – If you changed programmes or schools, give an honest account of what you did in the meantime. • use colours and illustrations that can make you stand out if you’re applying to a creative employer, but will be frowned upon at the tax office. • post any overly frivolous photos on your public Facebook profile • use an attention-grabbing e-mail address. (do you really think hot_ mess@... would make the right impression?) Handy sites The year’s best CVs are available on sollicitatielab.nl. You can see there that there are many different approaches that work. www.stepstone.nl is one of the sites you can visit if you want to know how to make a video CV.
Always think about how relevant any information is for the job. If you’ve coached a youth football team and you’re applying for a management position, that’s an interesting aspect. However, they’re probably not interested in knowing about your passion for rock-climbing!
voorbij zuyd / 27
Interview
‘Look for something that’s right for you!’ Monique Steegmans Recruiter at Randstad
Monique Steegmans, employment expert and account manager at Randstad, gives advice on what you need to know when you graduate. ‘You may have chosen a programme that you’re still keen on, or you may be following a programme but don’t know where to look next. ‘Find something that’s right for you, whether in employment or further study.’
Keep improving yourself. ‘Being a graduate from a university of applied sciences will always help you in your career,’ says Steegmans. Her advice is to continue studying after obtaining your diploma. ‘Keep improving yourself. That doesn’t necessarily mean studying at university: you can gain knowledge at the company you’re working at or by attending workshops. That’s something that’s really big right now. And "life-long learning" is the motto here. If you keep developing/improving throughout your life, you make sure you are and stay interesting on the labour market.’ Students who are thinking about a gap year and then resuming their studies are advised NOT to do so. ‘If your study programme didn’t quite offer what you were looking for, pick another one, at a higher level, in an area that interests you. Don’t run away from it all by going on a gap year or travelling. The danger is in the distraction: you’re likely to get used to having money, enjoy having new experiences, and never return to studying. Only go travelling once you’ve finished studying.’ Staying on at your internship company Steegmans says that many graduates stay on at their
28 / voorbij zuyd
internship company. ‘If you’re offered that job after finishing your internship, take it! However, I know that not everyone is given this opportunity.’ She advises them to avoid looking for job openings and instead to find a job via contacts in their network. ‘Your network might not be so large when you’re in your early twenties, so ask your parents, neighbours, relatives, friends, and acquaintances.’ You’ll get there! ‘If that doesn’t work out, find five companies in the region that you’d like to work at. Try to get in contact with someone from HR and arrange an introductory meeting to get more information about the company and whether you’d enjoy working there. Of course, you still have to be well prepared and able to answer questions like: “Why you would you like to work for our company?”. Take a look at the annual report, the website, and research what the company is good at and less good at. In conclusion, these are my tips: Gather information, look for the study programme or work that suits you, apply, network, and get in contact with people! Good luck to all graduates! Don’t give up – you’ll get there!’
Applying for jobs
Applying for jobs - here’s what to do! The new way of applying for jobs
30 / voorbij zuyd
Applying for jobs
‘
You’re in a much stronger position if you’re already known
Apply where you’re known ‘The best way to find work is via your existing contacts. For instance, the organization where you did your internship’, says Camiel. ‘You can also apply where you’re not known, via job vacancy websites or an advert in the newspaper, but you’ll have much more of a chance if you’re already known.’
Camiel Wolfs Business Studies Lecturer
You’ve made it: you’ve got your degree. Now it’s time to look for a job. But where to start? How to stand out among all the other applicants? And what should you watch out for at the interview? Business Studies Lecturer Camiel Wolfs has advice.
Make sure your personal statement stands out Want the job? Make sure your letter shows that. ‘It’s better to send one good letter to a company you really want to work for than fifteen letters to random companies in the hope that something comes out of it,’ states Camiel. ‘Don’t send a standard personal statement, – you need to adjust it to the vacancy and the company.’ ‘And don’t only say that you want to develop yourself further. Companies will appoint you because you’re good at something, not because you want to learn. So show what you’ve got to offer. But make sure you don’t come across as too boastful.’ According to Camiel, it’s important to find a balance between selling yourself and not exaggerating.
Prepare for your job interview An employer wants be sure that you met the organization’s requirements. So it’s important that they gain a good impression of you. The employer knows what its requirements are and will ask questions about these. Camiel added: ‘It’s important that you memorize a few examples, both positive and negative.’ Additional important points are: be on time, be aware of your non-verbal communication, and dress according to the feel of the company.
Trust yourself Many graduates are concerned about their limited work experience and doubt whether they have enough self-knowledge to put themselves out there. Camiel thinks that’s unwarranted. ‘Graduates underestimate themselves. There are practical components in every study programme, such as projects and internships. That’s experience too. Moreover, employers know you don’t have 25 years’ experience yet. In the end, it’s also important to do things and try things. You’ll not succeed all the time, but that’s normal.’ You’re sure to be successful using Camiel’s tips!
Ask someone you trust to read your letter to see how your message is coming across.
voorbij zuyd / 31
Applying for jobs when • Keep things positive. Even ul boss you’re talking about that awf at your last job. yourself. • You’re not there to defend ards what tow Channel the discussion nce. you learned from the experie y, read er • If you don’t have an answ to think just say so. And use the time how ut about it, not to think abo an dumb it is that you don’t have answer ready. ns. • Try to ask your own questio . up a few ahead of time
Think
use that’s • End on a positive note beca example, For what people remember.
concompliment them on how they a nice to r refe ducted the interview or n. moment during the conversatio
Yes! I’ve got an interview Prepare yourself properly for your job interview Your palms are sweating, your voice is quaking, and with the opening question, ‘Did you have any trouble finding us?’, you go into shutdown mode. But you don’t have to. Job interviews are stressful. But preparing for them will take away all those pre-interview nerves.
32 / voorbij zuyd
1. Be calm, be yourself Remember, this conversation goes two ways. Whoever is sitting across from you should get as realistic an impression of you as possible. And you can only do that if you’re calm and if you’re yourself. 2. Get information Make sure you’re well informed about the company/organization you’re applying for. Go on LinkedIn and search for the person who’s doing your interview. Know who they are before you go in. 3. Get your ambitions straight You know the type of question: ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ or ‘What would be your dream job?’ Interviewers like to see where your ambitions lie, as it says a lot about you as a person and as a potential colleague. Is this your dream job? Or is it a stepping stone to the next one? You and the company might be able to work together to make this a reality. 4. Important: Know who you are! What are your strongest qualities and what pitfalls do you have to watch out for? It’s impossible to be good at everything. But lots of us still think it is, which puts a huge amount of pressure on young people in particular. So, although many people struggle to do this, try to be aware of your weaknesses. This is an important consideration
not only for your job interview, but also for your future career. Not sure? Ask people you know, or do a quick Belbin group role test on the web. Think of some strong examples of your qualities. Finding good examples of your weaknesses is a little trickier. For this, try thinking of a sticky situation that you managed to resolve in the end, emphasizing that you learned from it. The interview Now you’re ready for the interview. The culture, your ambition, and your qualities tell the recruiter whether you and the company click. Don’t focus on having an instant click with the recruiter, as you’re probably not going to work with them on the first day.
Yes! I got the job: tract or a • Have an employment con deed of appointment drafted. ditions/ • Read the employment con care nt eme collective labour agre trade fully and consider joining a union.
,
If you are receiving any benefits • remember to terminate them
(www.werk.nl) schemes • Find out about bridging your that can help you make it to first salary payment.
Opt out
Want to start receiving the Alumni Magazine? As an alumnus of Zuyd, you will receive another magazine about six months after completing your studies: Alumni Zuyd. In it, you can read about the experiences of other Zuyd alumni who have started working, set up their own company, made a big change in their life, or gone on to further study. It will also tell you about interesting developments in the region and include messages from companies about any career opportunities they have. You will receive this magazine at the last postal address you shared with Zuyd.
If you no lo nger want receive the to magazine , s e n d a n e -mail to communic atie@zuyd .nl stating your name , address a nd your stu dy. We will th en delete y our data fr the magaz om the ine’s addre ss databas e.
Photo was taken in 2018
Start for yourself
Our mission is to remove a fear of driving Best friends Jens Vanmechelen (Engineering) and Rick Wolfs (Communication and Multimedia Design) both love cars and virtual reality (VR). So, they thought, why not join forces on a graduation assignment and combine their shared passion? They researched how you can treat a fear of driving using a VR driving simulator. They received so much positive feedback that they set up a business after graduating this year: Bool Studios. However, a graduation assignment and building up a business are two very different things. 34 / voorbij zuyd
‘Our research showed that one in seventeen people has a fear of driving,’ says Jens. ‘So there’s definitely a market for our idea, but there’s still quite a taboo around it. Our aim is to break through that taboo. As part of their graduation assignment, they developed a prototype dashboard with VR glasses that simulate real-life traffic situations. In practice, the development and production costs are a few hundred thousand euros higher than expected. It also won’t take 20 weeks, but a couple of years. Making money ‘To make sure we secure funding, we’re doing some things on the side,’ Jens added. ‘We can both program, so we’re building apps for customers during the day. Our evenings and weekends are spent working on our driving simulator. To make extra money, we also started a VR Arcade where people can play games,’ says Jens. Rick continues: ‘I work as an employee for three other days – someone’s got to pay the rent! We’re also looking for investors and grant schemes to help us raise the funds we need.’ Golden tips Do they have any tips for budding entrepreneurs? ‘Make sure you have a unique idea,’ says Rick. ‘Follow your heart – don’t waste too much time investigating. Talk to people in your
network and try things out. Ideas might sound fantastic in your head but might not be that great in reality.’ Jens adds: ‘Take a step back once in a while to see whether it’s still a good idea. Don’t be afraid to change it. We were over-optimistic when it came to timelines and costs. As an entrepreneur, you shouldn’t be afraid to put in a lot of hours and take risks. But always make sure that you can pay your bills at work and at home, or that you have a financial buffer to live on.’ Stubborn Since they became business partners, their friendship has changed. Rick continues: ‘If you work together every day, you have less to talk about at weekends.’ ‘Besides, with both of us being so stubborn, we have our disagreements,’ says Jens, laughing. ‘But we always find a solution.’ Before embarking on their adventure, they agreed that friendship goes above business. If necessary, they’ll continue as two sole traders. But so far, that’s not on the cards at all. They’re doing what they like best: building something and working together to make their dream come true. Get ready for the driving simulator! h
10 Steps to your own business:
#10 Network, Network, Network!
#09 Present yourself: Get a logo and website
#08 Make a financial backup plan
#07 Stay on top of your bookkeeping
#05
#06 Open a business account
Apply to the tax authorities for a VAT number
#03
#04 Choose a legal form
Register with the Chamber of Commerce
#02
Go for that complex business plan
#01 Get started with market research
Make sure you don’t forget ! rs e t t a m l a ic t c ra p e s e th
1. Deregister from Zuyd
a. Go to www.studielink.nl
r being awarded your diplom
Do this as soon as possible afte schrijfverzoek (Request deregis n (Programmes) > Details > Uit and then to Opleidinge by 31 August. Please note automatically deregister you will d Zuy ’t, don you If ). ion trat l have to arrange other matr enrolment at Zuyd. You stil that this only applies to you w. dy finance – see reminders belo ters such as stopping your stu
2. Stop your study financtheeMijn producten (My prod-
p your study finance. Go to og in to www.duo.nl to sto L dy finance). ciering stopzetten (Stop stu ucts) and choose Studiefinan
travel 3. Cancel your student public pass your student travel
make sure you also deactivate
s, in When your study finance end tenth day of the first month ction machine. Do this by the
pass at a loading/colle note that you may no longer itled to study finance. Please which you are no longer ent Fur ther information can the first day of that month. of as s pas el trav t den stu r use you Dutch only). eisproduct.nl/stopzetten (in be found on www.studentenr
4. Insurance policies
student rate). You may ce at a reduced rate (a special ran insu out en tak e hav y You ma g a student. If so, you are parents’ policy by virtue of bein even be insured free on your you are no longer a student. ce company of the fact that obliged to inform the insuran
extract Did you know… dents can download a digital ine diploma register where stu That DUO has an onl of their diploma? Please visit: register www.duo.nl/diploma
navirus Financial compensation for coro dents financially during the ious measures to suppor t stu var en tak has nt sate for any study delay. You The governme pen ons are mainly to com visi pro The ic. dem pan irus coronav eligible, you’ll receive this tion for this yourself. If you’re don’t need to submit an applica nl for the current status. automatically. See www.duo.
