Preservation & Presentation of the Moving Image
Adi Ben-Arieh from Israel/Germany
General Linguistics
Why General Linguistics?
I was looking for a programme in which I could study phonetics and its connection to speech technology in linguistic theoretical settings. The Master's programme in General Linguistics offered all the courses I was looking for and the flexibility I wanted. I could construct my own programme by choosing courses on offer in the department, the faculty, and even from other faculties. In addition, I was looking for a programme that would not absorb all my time but would leave me the possibility to work so I could afford a living in Amsterdam. Studying in Amsterdam was one of my options, and I decided to go there, because it was the only place that offered a combination of the two things I was looking for: a vast knowledge in the field I was interested in, and a life in a big and lively city.
About the programme
It is a demanding programme and I had to read a lot of background material before I had the same knowledge as students who had also taken the BA in linguistics at the UvA. The courses are challenging but in the end I feel like I am learning a lot of things I wanted to know for a long time. It may take another year though to finish all the course work, but it's worth it.
About the city and the Netherlands
First of all Amsterdam is a nice and beautiful city, in every season and every weather, day and night, you can see a different face, a different side of it. As the time went by I always discovered new things about the city and new places I hadn't been or just hadn't noticed before. The city and surroundings offer a good nightlife, restaurants and cafes, and beautiful places to travel to on the free time, like Den Haag, Utrecht, Zeeland and more. It's a good place to combine studies and some R&R.
I recommend this MA programme to students …
who are looking for a thorough education in the different fields of linguistics as syntax, phonology, sociolinguistics and phonetics in theoretical settings. And also for students like me, who are interested in the integration between linguistics and speech technology, but not necessarily want to be programmers or mathematicians.
The programme gives you the knowledge you need in the main linguistic fields. And the courses are taught by lecturers who are top of their field and the contributors of some of the main theories in their fields.
Tips for new students
Check exactly what is expected, and what background you need for every course and be prepared for it. I would recommend taking a dorm or a room in a student house for the first year. It is very hard to find accommodation here and I am glad I do live in a student house. It's also a good opportunity to know a lot of your fellow international students although I also recommend trying to find lots of Dutch friends. Learning the language would also help a lot do integrate and understand things more clearly.