Happier than ever at secondary vocational education

There are several reasons for this; the important thing in all these different cases is that you feel good about yourself and make a choice that suits you. In conversation with students Carlijn Vesseur (21) and Merijn Nix (17). "We learn here every day too. But much more in practice. And that makes us happy."

Carlijn and Merijn both study at Summa Veiligheid, where future military personnel are trained, among other things. He wants to join the Marine Corps later, while she is studying nursing for the Ministry of Defence. "I completed my pre-university education (HAVO) in Waalwijk," Carlijn explains. "After that, I went to HBO (University of Applied Sciences) to study Nursing, but after a year and a half, I quit. It was just a bit too demanding. I knew for sure I wanted to work in healthcare. MBO (intermediate vocational education) was a logical next step for me. Of course, at first I thought: gosh, what am I supposed to do with my HAVO diploma? Why didn't I succeed at HBO? Am I taking a step back? But that feeling quickly disappeared. I'm happy here; I feel at home here. And it doesn't matter where you learn. It was meant to be. I'm a doer. I enjoy the balance between theory and practice. The atmosphere at school is also very pleasant, which is certainly important."

“The vocational education is a much better fit”

Merijn listens and nods. The story is familiar. I wasn't feeling great either. I was in the fourth year of pre-university education (VWO) and my motivation was practically at zero. Long days at school, boring theory lessons, and a lack of athletic challenges. I talked to my parents; I didn't want to continue like this. Did I want to go to HAVO (senior general secondary education), or go straight to an environment that suited my ambitions? I wanted to join the army, so it was the latter. I attended an open house at Summa and liked it immediately. I enrolled quite late; I was the very last one accepted. And I've been happy ever since. MBO (intermediate vocational education) is a much better fit. I'm someone who wants to be active, with all kinds of challenges, especially physical. The practical side of things makes it fun for me. Corporals and sergeants are already introducing us to their world, and later I'll be all over the place, and I'm already learning a lot from that. And of course, learning is going well for me because I was used to VWO (pre-university education). My buddy also has a HAVO background, and he also wanted to get into the practical side of things. We learn every day here, but in a different way.

Do what suits you

They haven't regretted their choice for a single day. "My parents are happy too," says Merijn. "They see that I'm comfortable in my own skin now. That's the most important thing." Carlijn: "I'll see what I want to do later. I can go in any direction with my education. I might try university of applied sciences again; I'm not ruling anything out. The knowledge I'm gaining now will be with me everywhere. I believe: this is your life. You have to do what suits you. Then it doesn't matter what others think. It's all about you."