NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Speciality : Human Resources
programme: International Human Resources Management

I am in my first year of this program, in the second semester. At first, I experienced a bit of confusion and a lack of clarity but gradually our program content got better and better, and right now I enjoy our classes very much. My main interest was psychology and personal and professional development and we have many classes for that. What I find especially interesting is that not only do you learn a lot about cultures but you also have the chance to experience it in your class as this program fosters an international environment. I have to say that the professors in our course are extremely helpful and they guide you through the process. When it comes to campus it is really modern and there are beautiful study landscapes. The environment is welcoming and you always have something to do, for instance, our school organizes movie nights, book clubs, or other fun activities. Overall, coming here was one of my best decisions as I gained valuable experiences, met new people, and got to know myself a bit more plus this course opened many doors for me in my professional life.

Being a second-year International Human Resource Management student in Leeuwarden, I believe I know the program and the university quite well.
Firstly, the campus in Leeuwarden is a great place to study, as the buildings have everything a student needs, from quiet areas to focus on assignments to cantines and cafes that offer various food and drink options.
Moreover, the course itself covers a variety of topics relevant to Human Resources, such as social psychology and talent management, encouraging our participation by doing activities like Student Led Seminars (SLS), where we research a topic and explain it to our peers in a dynamic way. By working in real-life assignments, we are constantly encouraged to think realistically and sometimes experience the uncertainty of Design Based Education (DBE).
Additionally, our class is very international, which fosters interesting conversations and discussions that contain diverse perspectives and opinions, making it a continuous learning experience.

After finishing my first year of the International Human Resource Management program, I can confidently say it has been an enriching journey and overall a great experience. This course covers a wide range of subjects and topics, allowing me to explore different areas and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Human Resource field. Initially, I had to adapt to the Design-Based Education (DBE) approach, which is quite different from traditional methods. This includes the rapid pace of generating ideas and solutions, along with working with real clients, which was challenging but ultimately prepared me well for real-world scenarios.
The program’s structure includes both group and individual projects, with a strong emphasis on self-reflection. This focus has helped me develop crucial skills for both personal and professional growth. The class’s cultural diversity has provided a true international experience, enabling us to exchange ideas and perspectives that align perfectly with the course objectives.
The teachers are passionate and always ready to support us, offering assistance whenever needed. At the same time, they grant us a significant amount of freedom and independence, which can sometimes be confusing and challenging but ultimately fosters a greater sense of responsibility and initiative.
As a new course, there are still areas for improvement, such as increasing the level of interactivity and refining the content of assignments. However, we were continuously asked for feedback, which the faculty plans to implement in the upcoming year to improve the program.

As a first year student following the International Human Resource Management program, I can say that my overall experience has been great. One of the things that caught my eye from the beginning was the emphasis given to DBE (Design Based Education), which I personally believe to be an enriching learning method, although you have to keep in mind that it is very different from a traditional approach and it may take some time to get used to work this way. Besides that, I’ve had really good teachers that seem truly passionate about the topics they teach. Nevertheless, I think that the program itself could be a bit more challenging, but I appreciate that feedback is welcomed and teachers acknowledge that there’s room for improvement since it’s the program’s second year. Moreover, the university buildings are modern and open, which makes it a comfortable place to study in.