NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Speciality : Management
programme: Events Management

I’m currently a first-year Leisure & Events Management student, and so far I’m really happy with my programme and university choice. Before this, I attended a university and studied a different programme in Belgium, but I quit after a year and a half because it didn’t match my interests, and also the education system was not suitable for me. So I have a lot to compare, and I can say that NHL Stenden, with its design-based education system, works 100% better for me. I really like that we’re able to learn theory but also immediately work on projects since the start, and also on assignments from real clients, which feels very new and a bit scary at the start, but the more you get into it, the easier it gets.

Leisure & Events Management is a smaller programme (the international stream taught in English which I am a part of), so the connection with my classmates is way better, but especially way more personal with coaches than I’m used to from before, which is great because they really care about you as a person and are there to help whenever you need it. Overall, I feel really welcome and comfortable within the programme and the university itself.

It took me a bit of time to actually get used to the education system here. I still feel like I’m not fully used to it yet. Especially since sometimes the instructions and criteria for assignments are not that clear and can feel confusing at times, which is something to be improved for sure. However, you can always ask your coaches or your classmates and help each other. What was really new for me as well was the mostly feedback-based evaluation of our work, and also the amount of reflection we have to do. I’m still getting used to it, but I can already feel it helping me with really taking control and being responsible for my own learning, which is really the goal of it.

In the first year of my programme, a certain number of Volunteering hours is necessary to complete. It continues to put me outside of my comfort zone, but it also allows me to figure out which specific field I’m passionate about and would like to work in in the future.

To sum up, I really feel like I made the right choice to study this programme here and that it will prepare me really well for my future as a leisure & event professional.

I’ve had a largely positive experience at NHL Stenden University, particularly due to its hands-on approach to various projects. We often have the opportunity to collaborate with real-life clients from the local area, which makes the learning process feel much more practical and relevant. That said, it’s important to enjoy working in groups, as many projects are team-based. However, sometimes it can feel like that the theoretical parts falls a bit behind.

One aspect I really value is the sense of community. Classes are generally small, which creates a more personal environment. I was surprised to find that in my year’s international stream, Dutch students were actually in the minority compared to internationals. But during your studies, you can sometimes be confronted with the fact that Dutch skills are really helpful. Sadly, not all international degrees offer free Dutch classes.

However, while the freedom we have with assignments is great, it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. It’s fantastic that we can choose our own approach to many tasks, but without clear guidelines, it can sometimes feel a bit unclear. Luckily, most teachers and coaches are very supportive and approachable, so you’re never completely on your own.

Definitely consider checking out the university! 🙂