Interview with Marina

Why did you choose this study programme?

My decision to pursue this master's programme was driven by several factors. After conducting extensive research on master's programmes within my country, I discovered that none of them were 1-year programmes. This prompted me to explore different international institutions.

Beyond the duration requirement, my goal was to combine the field of data science with business applications. After researching various options, I found that Erasmus University of Rotterdam offered the most suitable programme for me. The MSc programme at Erasmus University of Rotterdam provides a unique blend of in-depth insights into data science methodologies and a clear understanding of how these methods can be applied in real-world business settings. Furthermore, the programme is taught in English, which is an added advantage for international students like me.

Overall, this programme offers the perfect balance of theoretical and practical knowledge, making it an ideal choice for students interested in a career in data science and business. I am confident that this master's programme will equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of data science and business.

What is your favorite subject and/or favorite teacher?

Choosing one favourite subject is completely challenging for me! This master combines courses from different disciplines organised in core courses, seminars and electives taught by excellent teachers. So far, my favourite subject is the seminar Case Studies in Data Science and Marketing Analytics. This course is challenging us with a real-life case from a well-known company under demanding conditions as well as it is helping us to ultimate test all the methods we learned during the previous courses using a real-life dataset.

Overall all the teachers are passionate and committed to the students which for me it is crucial, but remarkably my teacher of Introduction to Data Science is an excellent teacher who truly cares about her students' success. She is knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to go the extra mile to help her students understand the material. Her classroom is well-organized, and she uses a variety of teaching methods to keep the students engaged and interested in the material.

What is the most interesting you learned so far?

What makes this master particularly interesting is to learn about different Machine learning (ML) models and its ability to learn from data and improve over time, without being explicitly programmed to perform a certain task. I also find the various techniques used in ML such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning fascinating. Each technique has its own set of strengths and weaknesses and can be applied to different types of problems. Overall, ML is a rapidly evolving field with a vast potential to shape the way we live, work, and interact with technology. It's exciting to learn about the latest developments in the field and to think about the possibilities for future applications.