From LUC to the front of the classroom: a journey from student to educator
From exploring global issues at Leiden University College (LUC) to shaping young minds in the classroom, LUC alumna Malou den Dekker shares how her academic journey led to a career in education. Today, she teaches Geography, Individuals & Societies, and Perspectives, bringing a broad, interdisciplinary approach to each course.
What initially drew you to LUC, and what were your academic interests when you started studying there?
‘I was really excited about the opportunity to attend a University College in the Netherlands because of their English-language programme. While I am Dutch, I didn’t grow up in The Netherlands and didn't want to study in Dutch. LUC’s interdisciplinary approach suited my broad academic interests. Initially, I was interested in studying political arts, but after that programme was discontinued, I explored the four Global Challenges courses in my first year. It was during the diversity course that I thought, “Yes, this is the one for me!”’
Did you already know you were going to pursue a career in education? How did that idea develop during your time at LUC?
‘That realisation came much later. During my time at LUC, I took a course called the Community Project, which focused on multicultural education in The Hague. I loved the course but wasn't seriously thinking about education as a long-term career at that point. I took a teaching job in Portugal after my master's programme, but mostly to pass the time during the Covid-19 pandemic. But then, I started to feel that teaching made sense to me. I wanted to teach the bigger ideas I’d been learning about, like global issues. Eventually, I returned to the Netherlands for the World Teachers Programme in Leiden, and that’s when I fully committed to teaching.’
How do you think your studies at LUC have influenced or benefited the work you’re doing now?
‘My studies at LUC have been hugely influential. I feel lucky to have encountered glimpses of so many disciplines as it helps me connect ideas across different subjects. The interdisciplinary and skills-based approach at LUC mirrors the way I teach now. Collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills were a big part of my education at LUC, and nurturing those is so essential to my current teaching practice. LUC was a formative time for me, and I can’t imagine who I would be without that experience. LUC also gave me the flexibility to explore all these different interests, and I’m not sure I would’ve ended up with teaching had I not been given the time in a degree to do that.’
Did you have any professors during your time at LUC who influenced your decision to go into education?
‘I feel so grateful to many of the teachers at LUC. Dr. Daniela Vicherat Mattar, Dr. Ann Wilson, Dr. Adam Buben, and Aernout van Lynden come to mind especially. They were all incredibly supportive and encouraging, and I found them inspiring as educators. Looking back, I think they instilled a sense of confidence in me that maybe helped me realise my potential as an educator later on.’
Do you have a special moment or rewarding experience with students or colleagues that you could share?
‘One thing I have felt proud of recently is the work I have done as the Student Council advisor. Over the past two years I have worked with this group, and it’s been incredible to watch these very capable 17-year-olds grow and do exciting things with just a bit of guidance. What’s really satisfying is when the students start taking ownership of it themselves. You help them when they need it, but eventually, it becomes completely student-led, and you become less important in the process because they understand what they need to be mindful of. That’s a really rewarding feeling.’
Some students might feel hesitant or unsure about going into education. What would you say to help ease their concerns?
‘I get it–it’s not a profession which gets the reputation it deserves, nor is it compensated. It also felt unclear to me for quite some time if I could even get a teaching qualification with a Liberal Arts and Sciences background, and I thought the barriers were higher than they actually are. But if you’ve got a master’s in a relevant field, you can become a fully qualified teacher in just a year, especially in the Netherlands where the process is quite streamlined.’
‘For me, I realised that I enjoy being around people, and teaching is such a social job. The impact you have is immediate. You plan a lesson, deliver it, and get feedback straight away—whether it went well or not. It’s quick-paced, which suits me because I like a challenging environment, and that fast feedback loop is really satisfying. So, if you’re someone who likes seeing results quickly and enjoys working with people, education could be a perfect fit.’
Leiden University College (LUC)
Leiden University College, established by Leiden University in 2010, offers a unique, small-scale Liberal Arts & Sciences education with approximately 600 students enrolled and on-campus accommodation in The Hague. Classes are intimate, with an average of just 18 students per class.
Text: Job Van de Waeter