Before I chose this programme, I went on a long quest for information in order to be sure that I was making the right choice. I was unable to get in contact with ESST students at the time so my insights were from the coordinator(s) of the programme, brochures, and various other information channels. While they did convince me to join the programme (hence this blog), those sources did not answer more crucial questions like:

What made a student choose the programme?
How was the workload?
Were they fufilled by the programme's offerings?
Was there a point in which a student doubted the direction and contents of the programme in the face of the precarious labour market?

You know, the important stuff. I hope to give satisfactory answers to those questions as I continue to study.

My motivation for choosing ESST was not a straightforward process nor a predictable outcome, based upon my studies and interests at the time. I have studied a mixture of humanities and social sciences, with a specialization in political culture and a minor in Globalization and Development here at Maastricht (BA Arts and Culture). At the beginning of my second year, I was quite keen on continuing my Masters education in philosophy and political theory. However, a dear friend who followed a different specialisation (cultures of knowledge and technology, which touches upon many core topics and themes in ESST) in Arts and Culture, introduced me to the way of thinking and analytical approaches of Science and Technology Studies. I became curious and after a little more convincing and research on the offerings of the programme, I was hooked and never looked back (except that one time to check out the Research Master on Cultures of Arts, Sciences, and Technology but no one’s perfect).

This is the short version of a much longer story. Thus, included in the aim of documenting my experiences is also to reflect on them, which will lead to long walks down Memory Lane and many digressions, of my Bachelors and Masters' days.

To wrap up, I hope that this blog can serve as a resource for potential students of the programme by providing first-hand, although highly subjective, experience as I navigate the exciting waters of ESST. I will do my best to provide weekly updates but, to answer one question I posed, the workload can be quite heavy when combined with the many pains and joys of life.  

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at s.tsui@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl. I check my email more frequently than Facebook!