Pierre Bentz

About Pierre

Hi, my name is Pierre Bentz and I am 21 years old. I have been studying Arts, Culture and Media at the University of Groningen since 2022, this is my fourth year in the city. I moved directly to Groningen after completing highschool in Strasbourg, France. I love working on many projects at the same time and getting involved in everything that sparks an interest in me!

Why Arts, Culture and Media?

I have always been more of an ‘arts person’. At first, I preferred to keep the arts as a hobby but I soon realised that studying something you love is *the way to go*. Enjoying what you study is the most important factor in choosing a potential programme: it will make your life as a student way easier. Arts, Culture and Media, is a theoretical programme that encompasses a very large range of topics regarding the arts and the society that engages with them. Starting off with courses that set the foundation for the knowledge you will use during your bachelor, you are quickly able to specialise in two disciplines to focus on: I chose Music and Visual Arts. You do not need to produce art yourself for this Bachelor which is an important point to note. I myself play music but someone with no knowledge on the topic could excel at the course as much as someone who has been playing an instrument for years.

Why Groningen?

I was originally attracted to the teaching style of the Dutch system, which I found to be similar to the international teaching style I was used to having in my education. The University of Groningen is a very well ranked establishment worldwide and after having applied to other universities in the Netherlands, I decided to go for this one. I then arrived in Groningen in 2021 to study Computer Science at the RUG. After a year I decided to switch studies and looking at what programmes were available at the university, I chose ACM. The city being a great size for me, it is also full of students filling the streets day and night which makes the ‘student experience’ incredible and rich.

Future

Later, I would like to work in the festival industry and more specifically with music festivals. I do not know exactly what direction I would like to take, but the good thing about ACM is that it gives you an infinite amount of opportunities in the job market. Seeing some of my graduatd friends work in very different jobs, I feel confident that the programme sets you up for the steps to take after your studies! I have acquired a great panel of skills through the programme and through the multitude of extracurricular activities available here. There are a few master tracks available as a continuity to the programme after finishing your bachelor so you will never run out of options. Using the skills I acquired during my minor in Entrepreneurship, I will also be able to further develop my own opportunities in the future.

Golden Tip

Most importantly: have fun during your time here! Get involved with art as much as you can. There are an incredible number of very active student and study associations for you to join and experience the more practical aspects of the arts. Get experience by pushing yourself to see art. Go to concerts, museums, exhibitions or street performances (you might even find yourself thinking about the concepts you just learned in class and view art in a whole new way). The arts domain requires you to be open minded: allow yourself to be open and the opportunities will fly right at you!