Catherine – DD student from Indonesia

“Here, the learning process matters more than the final result — and that was very new to me.”

Joining the Dual Degree programme has been one of the biggest steps in my life. After three years of Informatics in Indonesia, I continued my studies at Fontys in ICT & Software Engineering. I entered in Semester 3 and am now working through Semester 6, getting ready for my graduation internship.

Moving to the Netherlands was both exciting and challenging. It was my first time living alone, handling daily tasks, and speaking English all day. I also had to adapt to a new culture. Dutch students are very direct and open, which felt unusual at first, but it helped me communicate better and work more effectively in project teams.

The education style at Fontys was also different. It is not only about the final product, but about collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. My lecturers supported me in understanding this approach and guided me step by step.

Through this programme, I am growing as a software engineer and as a person — becoming more independent, more confident in English, and more comfortable in an international environment.