Karel de Grote Hogeschool (KDG)

As a student at KdG College, my experience with the administration/ombuds has been quite disappointing. I presented several issues that were either ignored or vaguely dismissed without real consideration or emphasis, even though I communicated respectfully and based my requests/complaints on academic and legal grounds and regulations.

One issue was a scheduling (mistake) where one of my major electives was placed in the wrong semester, overlapping with my internship period. Despite requesting correction of this (error), no one ever responded. I also asked to transfer part of my previous French exam grade, since I had already passed the written part, but this was vaguely rejected without any real explanation by ombuds and Exam Board.

Later, I requested to replace the French elective with another subject that fits better with my professional/academic goals. I already speak four languages, so I felt it was unnecessary to force me to repeat a language course that doesn’t add value to my studies or future. Again, the request was despotically dismissed without any flexibility.

Finally, I asked for an internship exemption because of personal and socio-economic issues I have been dealing with that make it difficult for me to function optimally in social or professional environments due to interpersonal barriers. I provided thorough explanation of my situation using strong legal grand and references, but the ombuds responded quite inconsiderately and vaguely, in very brief words, showing a lack of understanding or empathy. I did not even receive a reply when I contacted the direction about this.

Overall, I felt like I was not being taken seriously, as if talking to a wall with the ombuds, and indiscriminated (as someone with a non-European last name), and ignored. Instead of helping students overcome sincere obstacles, the college seems more focused on despotically sticking to its rules than on supporting students’ future success.

As a student at KdG College, my experience with the administration/ombuds has been quite disappointing. I presented several issues that were either ignored or vaguely dismissed without real consideration or emphasis, even though I communicated respectfully and based my requests/complaints on academic and legal grounds and regulations.

One issue was a scheduling (mistake) where one of my major electives was placed in the wrong semester, overlapping with my internship period. Despite requesting correction of this (error), no one ever responded. I also asked to transfer part of my previous French exam grade, since I had already passed the written part, but this was vaguely rejected without any real explanation by ombuds and Exam Board.

Later, I requested to replace the French elective with another subject that fits better with my professional/academic goals. I already speak four languages, so I felt it was unnecessary to force me to repeat a language course that doesn’t add value to my studies or future. Again, the request was despotically dismissed without any flexibility.

Finally, I asked for an internship exemption because of personal and socio-economic issues I have been dealing with that make it difficult for me to function optimally in social or professional environments due to interpersonal barriers. I provided thorough explanation of my situation using strong legal grand and references, but the ombuds responded quite inconsiderately and vaguely, in very brief words, showing a lack of understanding or empathy. I did not even receive a reply when I contacted the direction about this.

Overall, I felt like I was not being taken seriously, as if talking to a wall with the ombuds, and indiscriminated (as someone with a non-European last name), and ignored. Instead of helping students overcome sincere obstacles, the college seems more focused on despotically sticking to its rules than on supporting students’ future success.

The courses are given at an advanced level.