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

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.

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.

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.

As a second-year International Human Resource Management student, I can already say that my journey has been vibrant, challenging, and deeply transformative. I always say that NHL Stenden is a place that shapes your values and beliefs, self-perception, and boosts your soft skills rather than developing hard skills (that, let’s be honest, would be outdated by the time you graduate). Getting away from your family and the comfort of your country, you develop one of the strongest friendships in your life and question what you have believed in so far in life through continuous intercultural interactions.
The DBE education is seen as an innovative, cool approach, however, in practice, it proves to be one of the most difficult things to adapt to among students. Working in groups requires you to be adaptable to the needs and preferences of other team members, as well as to stay open-minded and flexible as the clients’ assignments never go as planned. Personally, I found it incredibly stressful and chaotic in the beginning. However, with time, I realized that DBE mirrors real corporate life more closely than any traditional classroom setting could and learned to appreciate it. It offers a creative space to experiment, fail, reflect, and innovate, ultimately preparing you for the workplace beyond graduation. The only thing to consider is the fact that students are never equipped with knowledge beforehand and oftentimes learn what they need for the project along the way simultaneously. Therefore, I would recommend reflecting on whether this approach aligns with your working style, learning preferences, and personality.
Apart from that, the university buildings are super modern and provide a cozy environment where I do feel motivated to study. The campus is full of opportunities and resources that you can explore both for and beyond your programme, such as equipment for filming, an enormous physical and online library, the Center of Entrepreneurship, and others. The fact that there is student accommodation (StudentStay) guaranteed for first-years cannot be overlooked either, considering the housing crisis in the Netherlands. My experience of living there was great as I fully felt the atmosphere of student life, found friends, and found it very convenient (5-minute walk to university, no hurdles associated with taxes, gym in the building, no extra costs). The only disadvantage is that it is a costly option, but still I would recommend living there for at least 6 months.
If I had to choose again, I would still choose NHL Stenden — not because it’s easy, but because it pushes you to grow.