Giulia on high school

“It gives me a broad foundation and lots of opportunities for the future”

Giulia is in her fourth year of the gymnasium. She was first introduced to the classical world as early as her first year of high school. She started in the bilingual HAVO/VWO first-year program and took the course in classical cultural studies. There, she learned about the culture and history of the Greeks and Romans. She enjoyed it so much that, at the end of her first year, she deliberately chose to transfer to the gymnasium.

Starting in second grade, she took the classical languages Greek and Latin. That was a deliberate choice. “I didn’t know exactly what path I wanted to take later on. The gymnasium gives me a broad foundation and keeps many options open. I like the gymnasium because you learn to understand the basics of all languages and cultures, and that’s something you’ll benefit from your whole life.”

A challenge and a lot of fun

Greek and Latin aren't always easy. Giulia finds that sometimes you have to work really hard at them. “Sometimes it's pretty tough, and you really need perseverance. But that's exactly what I like about it.”

Moreover, high school isn't just about learning from a textbook. During class, students regularly work on projects. They are given the freedom to choose their own topics and get creative.

For example, Giulia built a small Roman temple. “That was really fun. You don’t just look up facts—you actually get to work on something hands-on. Last year, my friend and I made a 3D painting of the Greek hero Achilles and his armor.”

Plenty of possibilities for the future

Giulia still doesn't know exactly what she wants to be when she grows up. And she doesn't mind that at all. In fact, high school gives her the freedom to still make that choice.

Biomedical technology is currently high on her list of interests. Her knowledge of Latin can come in handy there, too. “Many terms in the medical field come from Latin. That’s why it’s helpful that I took Latin as a final exam subject.”

For Giulia, that’s exactly what makes the gymnasium so great: you’re challenged, you discover new things, and at the same time, you build a broad foundation. And after that? There are still many paths open to you.