NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (reviews)

I truly believe applying and starting studying at NHL Stenden is the best thing I have ever done. It gave me many opportunities. First of all, academically I gained much experience and knowledge. The course (International Business) is wide and everyone will find something for themselves. I got to know that I love marketing!
Secondly, you learn not only from theory but also from practice. Each semester students have to prepare projects based on real cases. Moreover, we have to complete an internship which lasts one semester. Another advantage is exchange – I have spent one semester in Spain and have friends who also went to other continents.
Again, I think it was the best university I could choose and I will recommend it to everyone.

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

From the very beginning, I felt really welcomed at NHL Stenden. The application process was easy to follow, and whenever I had questions, the staff replied quickly and were always friendly and helpful. Communication with the university feels very personal and respectful, which made starting my studies much less stressful.
Since starting the Creative Business programme, I’ve noticed how many opportunities there are to get involved and actually do things instead of only learning theory. One of the best parts is that we work with real clients from early on in the programme, which gives you practical experience and helps you understand how things work in real life.
I also really like that the programme gives space for personal development. During the semester there are moments where students reflect on their progress, goals, and strengths, which I think is very valuable.
Overall, the university is very supportive. If students face challenges – whether personal, health-related, or financial – there are people who are willing to listen and help find solutions.
I would definitely recommend NHL Stenden. It’s a place where you feel supported, motivated, and comfortable as a student.

As a first-year Communication and Multimedia student from Hungary, I was astonished by the pedagogical approach here at NHL Stenden. The university has effectively discarded conventional teaching models, shifting the focus heavily to practical application.
But what does that really mean? It means we have only a few lectures weekly, with no mandatory attendance (although it is expected), and no theoretical examinations. Instead, what we do is set out to work on projects in smaller groups, such as coming up with a museum exhibit anchored around a Dutch historical event or persona, focusing on interactivity; or tackling misinformation within the age group of 40-plus in society. These challenges require us to cultivate crucial skills like critical thinking, planning, communication, and cooperation.
During the first year, the assessment structure is particularly unique: rather than fixating on perfectly polished end results, we are evaluated on how we faced our failures and how we learned and expanded from them.
Our teachers encourage us to harness our creativity and nurture our curiosity towards the world. They push us to ask questions every step of the way. They are our partners in this journey, rather than our superiors.
Adjusting to this new, international environment was no challenge at all. Being surrounded by such a kind, open-minded, and multicultural community naturally broadens one’s perspective on the world.
Furthermore, with extracurricular clubs, sport facilities, constant events that would be too numerous to list, and a bustling campus life, there is simply never a moment to be bored.

Firstly, I would like to mention the overall experience in this university- the atmosphere and the environment is lovely! From the very first steps in this university I have always felt welcomed, heard, safe, able to express myself however I want to, given a place to grow and most importantly, happy. Personally, it feels like a huge community and I am happy to be part of it, most of the professors and all the professionals working here are incredible people, who are always willing to help you. International Business as a course, is very broad, which I believe is a positive experience, since it has helped a large group of students realise which niche they are attracted to, it allows them to see their strong or/and weak sides. In this course we also have PPD (personal

I am a second-year Leisure and Events Management student, and for my year here, I have become accustomed to both the education and life in Leeuwarden. I managed to adjust very quickly, thanks to the Study Start Week organized by students, where I met my classmates and got to know the city very well.

The DBE (Design-Based Education) method uses a practical approach that allows us not only to work with different clients, such as SPOT Groningen, Noorderzone, and Neushoorn, but also to find solutions to the problems these companies face.

Furthermore, as a second-year student, you are required to complete a 168-hour internship. I already completed mine, together with a few classmates, as one of the organizers of this year’s field trip to Paris and Disneyland. The trip lasted five days and included around 140 participants. We also attended an inspiring lecture from the creative directors at Disney Imagineering, where they explained the work behind some of the famous Disneyland rides.

This experience has been my biggest learning curve so far, and I am grateful for the opportunity. At this university, there are many opportunities—it is up to each person to be proactive in order to take advantage of them.

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.

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.

NHL Stenden is the place where I grew the most as an individual and a professional. This university offers us, the students, almost unlimited opportunities. It is therefore up to us to craft a college experience just as we like it and make it as fulfilling and rewarding as possible. Students can work, study, meet, train, have fun, and so on—everything on or around campus.

Guaranteed accommodation (as of now) is another strong point of this school, along with its location. Situated in Leeuwarden, the capital city of Friesland—a green town with countless bikes, abundant green spaces, and low pollution levels—NHL Stenden is an excellent choice.

Quite a few students have asked me what some negative points of this school are, and frankly, I could not tell them. It is not that I do not want to, but I simply do not find anything improper about this school. You get out what you put in, and there are people here to help and guide you along the way. There are plenty of clubs, associations, and initiatives that students can join to learn, have fun, and prepare for their future in a safe and encouraging environment.

There are plenty of activities students can do within Leeuwarden as well, including going to the cinema and theatre, clubbing, working out, and so on. We have cafés and bowling alleys, so there are few things you cannot do here.

And to the most important point—education is of the highest quality here, and professors are more than just incredibly well-prepared teachers; they are mentors, guiding us through our journeys of growth. So, NHL Stenden… a home away from home.