Academic Reflection- Klaudia Tokarska (6358519)
Word count: 748
When I started UCU in 2018, I thought the character of the program would allow me
to continue studying what I thought I would want to do professionally—Mathematics, and at
the same time explore other fields I might find interesting. In my first year, I was mostly
exploring my options: taking courses in different fields such as Politics, Geography or
Psychology. I tried to get involved in extra-curricular activities as well. I joined DanceCo in
my first semester and continued performing for the next three semesters. In my second year, I
decided to apply for the Events Manager position at LogiCo and held that position for one
semester. Furthermore, together with my friend, I founded the sports group CheerCo.
Through all these activities, I learnt more about myself, my strengths and weaknesses and
developed new academic, personal and interpersonal skills.
From the moment I started UCU, I knew I would want to go on exchange. At the end
of my first year, I made a decision to apply to Yale-NUS College in Singapore for my
semester abroad. Several factors made me choose this particular school. At the time, I still
thought I would like to major in Mathematics and I wanted to couple it with Computer
Science. Yale-NUS offered many high-quality options in this field. Furthermore, I wanted to
explore new cultures and I had always been fascinated with Southeast Asia. As it turned out,
my exchange was a turning point in my academic career. When I realized I was not enjoying
the Computer Science courses I had signed up for, I switched to Clinical Psychology and
Biology courses. I enjoyed these courses very much and I developed a good relationship with
my Clinical Psychology professor who made me interested in the field of mental health. By
that time, I had already taken a few Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience courses which I
had found interesting. I realized I was much more interested in these fields than in
Mathematics. That was the moment I changed my major from Mathematics to an
interdepartmental major in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology.
My exchange experience allowed me to develop not only academically but also
personally. During my exchange semester, I travelled around Southeast Asia and explored
different cultures, languages and traditions. It helped me see how many cultural differences
there are between my home country (or the Netherlands) and other parts of the world. In
terms of my academic interest, I noticed how mental health is seen and practised very
differently in different parts of the worlds. I also made many friends who shared their
experiences with me and helped me fully appreciate their home cultures and traditions.
Furthermore, during my semester abroad, I discovered one of my main hobbies which I
practice up until this day. I joined the school volleyball club and I have played volleyball
regularly ever since. All in all, I truly believe that my semester abroad was one of the most
important periods not only in my UCU career but also in my life in general.
After I came back from Singapore, I was sure about what I wanted to focus on for the
remainder of my time at UCU. I continued studying Neuroscience and Psychology. I
undertook a non-academic Psychology internship in an international start-up company which
was my first professional experience in the field. I learnt valuable interpersonal and research
skills, as well as made many professional and personal connections. In my last semester at
UCU, I continued preparing myself for a future career in mental health. I undertook an
academic internship at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, where I collaborated with a
PhD student on a systematic review in Neurology. The review is to be published in Spring
2021. I also had a chance to conduct my own research while working on my Bachelor’s thesis
where I investigated the link between perfectionism and body image satisfaction. Thanks to
the courses I had taken before, I was able to design and conduct my own experiment which
was the base for my thesis. After this experience, I feel more prepared to start my Master’s in
Neuroscience in Fall 2021.
All in all, I believe that the kind of education I received at UCU helped me develop
both academically and personally and do it at my own pace. I think that the freedom I had
while choosing my courses and extracurriculars made it possible for me to discover my
authentic passions and goals for the future.