NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Speciality : Tourism & Hospitality
programme: Tourism Management

I’m a third-year tourism management student. I studied in Leeuwarden for 2,5 years and I’m currently spending a semester abroad in Bangkok.
My experience at NHL Stenden has been very positive. I’ve had the chance to study with international students, and I enjoyed working in small project groups. Getting to work with real clients was a valuable part of my studies, as it helped me develop practical skills. The program wasn’t too focused on theory, which I actually liked because it gave us more time to work on practical projects.
NHL Stenden is a great place for personal development. Over the past three years, I’ve learned a lot about myself, especially thanks to the strong focus on personal reflection at NHL Stenden. I also really appreciate the opportunity to study abroad. The application process was smooth and I felt well-prepared for this experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time studying in Leeuwarden and I already miss it.

I’m really happy with the International Tourism Management program at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences! It’s been a fantastic experience so far.
The practical approach to learning and working with clients have been a reason for choosing NHL Stenden in the first place and it did not dissapoint. I enjoy it and I am very glad that I do not spend too much time at lectures and memorising stuff. Despite that, the course has also helped me get to know more about myself and get to know what I like to do because of diverse range of subjects that it offers.
Overall, it’s been a great choice and I am very happy that I have made it.

International environment. Great opportunities abroad.
During the study, there are possibilities to do some part of your studies abroad. The school is nicely arranged with good facilities for students.

I highly recommend having a look at NHL Stenden offer of studies as they recently launched a new system called DBE, design-based education, which basically lets you learn at your own pace, in teams and from industry challenges.

In my personal experience the course exceeded my expectations in a good way. Before attending I got a lot of information about my study though various events such as the open days and the webinars. I really enjoy my study so far. Both the facilities and the construction of the course are of high quality. I also really enjoy how personal the relationship with the lecturers is and the fact that they listen to the students( through feedback they get from the class representatives) which continuously improves the courses imperfections.

Stenden is an amazing University. Having 5 campuses worldwide, namely in The Netherlands which is the main campus, Thailand, Bali and South Africa which is the campus i enrolled in. With an exchange program offered by the university we as students are exposed to the various cultures which is a stepping stone to gaining Cultural intelligence which is very beneficial for the Hospitality Industry.

We also have an operating 4 star Hotel where we gain real life experience in the industry thus allowing us to be more than ready to face the world once we graduate.

The campus life is very intimate as it’s not a very big university but this allows us to interact with one another. The professors are patient and well informed about the subjects they teach also the classes are well scheduled.

Moving to a new country and adapting to a new method of education initially seemed daunting. However, after spending my first year at NHL Stenden, I can confidently say that I do not regret it at all.
The Hospitality Management programme allows you to fully immerse yourself in the industry. From gaining practical experience in the different outlets on campus, such as the hotel and restaurant, to attending networking events with industry professionals, it offers a combination of opportunities that help you grow both professionally and personally.
One aspect that has particularly enriched my journey has been participating in activities outside of my studies. These include competitions organized by the Centre of Entrepreneurship on campus, as well as various hotel management competitions. These experiences have allowed me to challenge myself, and connect with inspiring people.
Looking back a year ago, I can truly see how much I have grown as an individual thanks to the many opportunities offered here. Another highlight is the strong sense of community at the university. Despite its size, the lecturers from the study know your name, and it is easy to build meaningful connections with fellow students and staff.
If I could suggest one thing, it would be to continue offering these events and opportunities to students, as they can genuinely be life-changing

My experience at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden has been both challenging and highly rewarding, mainly due to its strong focus on practical learning and its dynamic student environment. I would highly recommend this university without hesitation, as it offers an engaging atmosphere where boredom is never really an option. There are many extracurricular opportunities, including student associations, side jobs, and volunteer work connected to the university, as well as events and workshops throughout the year. This makes it easy to meet new people, build connections, and develop both personally and professionally.

I am studying Hospitality Management, one of the university’s most distinctive programs, and what stands out the most is its hands-on approach. Throughout the course, students participate in practical experiences where they interact with real guests and work with real-life management systems. This makes the learning process much more engaging and helps bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. These moments are not only valuable academically but also help build confidence and essential industry skills.

Another aspect I truly value is the international environment. Being surrounded by people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives has helped me develop important soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork. At the same time, as an international student, I did notice that the large number of Dutch students can sometimes be a challenge. Although classes are in English, Dutch is occasionally spoken during lectures or group work, which can feel isolating. However, over time, this becomes easier as you find your own circle and connect with people who create a more inclusive environment.

Academically, the program goes beyond operations and includes strategic and business-oriented assignments, such as simulations and in-depth analyses, which provide a realistic insight into hotel management. That said, the program can feel quite intense, especially during group projects where expectations may change depending on the business partner. While this reflects real-life industry situations, it can sometimes create stress if not communicated clearly. Additionally, the level of guidance can vary between modules, and more consistency in structure and support would further improve the experience. However, the first months can feel overwhelming and confusing, so it’s important not to expect everything to be easy at the beginning. Don’t worry since, as time passes, things start to fall into place, and the experience becomes more enjoyable and exciting. The lecturers are generally supportive and approachable, and although some coursework may occasionally feel less challenging, there are plenty of opportunities to take initiative and push yourself further.

Overall, my experience has been very positive, and I feel that I am growing both professionally and personally. NHL Stenden prepares students well for their future careers while also offering a memorable and enriching student life. Despite a few minor areas for improvement, I would not consider changing my choice as it has been a truly defining and developing experience.

I think NHL Stenden has everything you could possibly want in a university: it has a wide range of degrees to choose from, in English and in Dutch.
They also are very welcoming to international students, with multiple resources you can access (such as student accommodation, financial consultancy, language center).
What most stood out for me was the teaching method: instead of just learning from book, it’s much more hands on. Most of my classes was spent in groups, understanding the theory and then putting it into practice with real-life case scenarios, which were very helpful to relate them in tourism.
Not only that, but the university itself is brilliant: the buildings offer a wide range of study spots, cafés, and special rooms for our different associations (like student council, ambassadors, etc).
Honestly, NHL Stenden made my college experience unforgettable.

I did my bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management at NHL Stenden, Leeuwarden, and I have never regretted it. I did the short track program which meant that I have already finished a toursim education in my home country and could finish the bachelor at NHL Stenden in only 2 years. And I have enjoyed every part of these two years.
NHL Stenden is quite different then to conventional universities. They use the DBE (Design Based Education) system as their way of learning, which basically means that you are working with real life clients and examples and learn your materials through that. You barely have any exam you have to study for 5 months in advance and it is not your typical theoretical study. This was exactly what I was looking for as I was never the theoretical type but I could still get my academic degree.
On the plus side the teachers are very friendly, helpful, supportive and nice in the tourism area. Yes, it can be frustrating if they don’t give you tips on how to work with the client, but how else would you learn if they would do the work for you. One downside I have encountered is the organization of the university itself. Sometimes, they don’t get the planning right and you end up in a classroom that is meant for 25 students, eventhough your course consists of 40. But I heard this can be the case in every university in Europe.
To end on a positive note, NHL Stenden is very international and if you look for international connections with other students or professor’s this is exactly the place for you!