"This double teaching has been very useful: today I use all my academic knowledge in my professional life"!

Gauthier image large

G

authier REGINSTER completed a Bachelors in Foreign Trade at the Haute Ecole and obtained a Masters in Population and Development Sciences specialising in “North-South Cooperation” (Faculty of Social Sciences) at ULiège.

What made you study at the University of Liège?

After having completed my Bachelors and a number of placements abroad, I didn’t want to enter the world of work so young. In addition, after having spent three months in Africa, I was very interested in the field of international cooperation so I decided to continue my training at ULiège with a Masters in “Population and Development Sciences”.

What was the transition from the Haute Ecole to University like? Did you find it easy to adapt to the university system?

The transition was fairly easy at both an administrative and social level. Having no experience in the social sciences field - in anthropology or sociology for example - a “bridging” year* was required; and I don’t regret it at all! Indeed, this year allowed me to acquire the basics necessary for the beginning of the Master's degree but also allowed me to get acquainted with the university system. The two teaching systems are effectively and relatively different although mutually complementary: at the Haute Ecole, learning was essentially based on “practice” (via practical activities such as placements or professional meetings), the university rather operates with a “theoretical approach” and allows in-depth learning of the different concepts studies while combining the practical aspects of the Masters.

Why would you recommend that Haute Ecole students complement their training with a university Masters? In professional terms, how does this double degree help with your CV?

This double degree is very useful for me as, after my Masters, I was able to find a job in which I can combine my two academic areas. Today, by working in microcredit in Liège, I can also use the “economic” skills acquired during my studies at the Haute Ecole and the “social” skills from my Masters in International Cooperation.  In addition, having completed my thesis on a microfinancing project in the Kigoma region in Tanzania, today I am using all my academic knowledge in my professional career!

Share this page