200172 Tio Chat jan-feb-mrt ENG (web-spread)

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

Corona news Online classes from day one Student life during corona

Looking back on the second semester Awesome annual party Extra sales certificate with diploma CEO and CBM

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CONTENTS

06 21 08 35 18 06

Tio's classes online from day one

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08

Studying at home like a pro

18

Cheers to 50 years

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Tio student wins NXT GM Challenge

35

Holy Guacamoly!

Masterclass The Avocado Show

39

Extra sales certificate with your diploma

And: 20 New: higher-education Law 34 Are you using the new MyTio app?

39 Follow Tio on social media 43 Festive graduation ceremonies

Colophon Tio Chat is a Tio University of Applied Sciences publication written by and publsihed for Tio students, parents and employees.

Address: Hogeschool Tio St. Jacobsstraat 400 3511 BT Utrecht

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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COLUMN

Dear students, Thus far, Tio has weathered the corona crisis fairly well. We were one of the first schools to fully transition to online education. Tio made this transition far quicker than some state-funded schools and faster than many private institutions as well. Despite the amazing technological solutions, we are starting to miss the unique Tio atmosphere. I am already looking forward to the day that we can all come back to school, once things have gone back to normal.

Tio's staff are all doing well! Although some staff members had a few corona-like symptoms for a while, no one suffered any serious complications. Here's hoping it stays that way.

We have implemented a number of measures for the foreseeable future. These include an extra examination period, free extensions for internships, courses and minors during the summer and leniency with regard to internships. With these measures, we hope to keep students’ study duration as short as possible and prevent any unnecessary costs. Although we strive to be flexible, we will not compromise the final competences of our study programmes. In all our measures, we are largely guided by the advice of expert institutions such as the Ministry, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Municipal Health Services (GGD). This validates Tio's policy and makes it more resistant to the sometimes differing views of all kinds of interest groups.

I hope to see you all again soon - either online, when I'm watching a finale, or in person, just like before. • Mark Duthler, Director

Tio's students and staff have shown a ton of support for our policy, especially with regard to how quickly we were able to implement these measures. I am very proud of my team. They are truly going the extra mile during this time of crisis and we are all highly motivated to keep going no matter what.

Although I will not be able to talk to you all in person the finales, I will definitely during check in online!

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS Things have been crazy since the first case of the coronavirus was identified in the Netherlands: from no longer shaking hands to closing all schools and a mandate to stay at home as much as possible. Tio was well prepared and immediately began offering its courses online. Myriad solutions have been found to allow students to continue their studies without delay and/or extra costs. Taking courses or doing a minor during the summer, doing your internship independently or at a later date, taking exams online, etcetera. In this section of the Chat, you can read all about this unprecedented situation. •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS

Tio goes online

Students and lecturers highly satisfied By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications The coronavirus is all around us. Flights are cancelled, social interaction is restricted and restaurants and schools are closing. In compliance with the recommendations of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), municipal health services and the national government, Tio University of Applied Sciences also closed its doors. However, there is good news for students: their classes will continue as planned online!

All classes online immediately Tio's small-scale and entrepreneurial nature is clearly evident during this time of crisis. Due to the short lines of communication, Tio was able to respond quickly to the order to close all universities of applied sciences.

Since day 1, students can take all their classes online instead. How is that possible? IT manager Louis van Dieteren explains: “We were well prepared. We already use the online teaching tool for our online exam training. It was therefore mostly a matter of carefully instructing all lecturers. This past weekend, we therefore optimised the instructions and gave lecturers the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the system.

We also had to purchase extra webcams. Furthermore, each Tio campus has its own system administrator who can help out immediately if there are any problems.

The first classes have been completed and everything is going very well so far!”

Lecturer Tamara Schellekens was very happy about Tio's preparations: “What a great achievement and excellent service. I even got a call from the IT department last Sunday to make sure everything was working well! Thank you. We will make the best of this situation together!”

“It's great that our classes can continue” Students can continue their classes from the comfort of their own homes to ensure they do not incur a study delay. Student Nancy Zoet: “These are crazy times: I don't have to go to school, the place where I work is closed and so is the gym. I do appreciate the fact that Tio took action so quickly to make these online classes possible!” Another (anonymous) student adds: “It's great that our classes can continue, since I only have three

weeks left for my minor. With these online classes, I can complete my minor as planned. Where I take the online classes? At the dining table in the living room!”

Getting used to it Lecturers also appreciate Tio's quick measures - although they can take some getting used to, as lecturer Marion Ariëns admits: “I teach my classes from home. This morning, things went very well. Although we all needed a little time to get used to it, especially when playing videos, the students participated well; most via their microphones and some even via their webcams!”

Although no one knows what the future holds with regard to the coronavirus, one thing is certain: Tio's top-quality education will continue as planned in the weeks to come! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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CORONA NEWS

Guest lectures live from your lazy chair By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter Surely it's impossible to organise a guest lecture with an external speaker now that all the schools are closed? Not for Tio! With the help of Skype for Business, the guest lecture with Maarten van Seggelen, senior consultant sponsorships for the province of Gelderland, could continue as planned from an external location. It went very well indeed.

Virtual guest lecture “I had scheduled a guest lecture with an external speaker for the sport and festival management course. It was able to take place as planned with the help of Skype for Business,” says Tio lecturer Jeroen Mouw. Guest speaker Maarten van Seggelen gave his lecture from the comfort of his own home, while students watched live on their own computers. “Via the chat function, the students - twelve in all - could take part in the discussion and ask questions. In this unusual manner, everyone still got to watch the lecture.”

Compliments from the students Jeroen had never organised a guest lecture like this before. “This was an excellent test case. It worked fine and was actually quite enjoyable.

Despite the lack of dynamic interaction with the students, I am very satisfied. The chat function worked well too. The students all complimented the technology and the lecture itself. The only issue? The laptop's battery drained a bit faster than expected!” •

Internship aborted?

By: Martijn Westerbrink, Head of International Office Were you forced to abort your international internship because of the coronavirus? That stinks!

However, there is a silver lining for students with an Erasmus+ grant: Tio has decided to honour all Erasmus+ grants, even in the event of the premature abortion of an internship or study component.

Have you incurred additional travel expenses that you cannot claim elsewhere? Depending on your situation, you can claim these as well. Questions? Contact your study coach! •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS

Studying at home like a pro By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter Now that all schools are closed in an attempt to curb the spreading of the coronavirus, many universities of applied sciences offer some form of remote education. Tio also offers vocational- and higher-education classes that students can attend from home. What is the best way to study effectively at home? Here are seven tips to help you out!

1. Create a comfortable study environment

4. Avoid distractions

2. Set goals

5. Take breaks more often

Well begun is half done, after all. It all starts with the place where you want to study for the coming weeks. Make sure you have a pleasant and quiet workspace without any major distractions, so you can actually focus on your studies. Remember: a clear desk leads to a clear head. If you want, you can put some plants on your desk. This not only looks great, but can actually reduce your stress level as well!

Start your day with a to-do list. What online classes can you attend? What homework assignments can you do?

The more concrete you make this list, the better. It forces you to think about the most effective way to study.

3. Create a schedule

Do you have a ton of homework and can you no longer see the forest for the trees? Create a schedule to get a better grip on your workload. Ask yourself what you want to do, how much time you'll need for each task and when each task has to be done. This schedule will offer you peace of mind; after all, you can see at a glance what you have to do and when you have to do it to finish your work on time.

It seems innocent enough: reply to some WhatsApp messages or quickly respond to an incoming email. Before you know it, though, fifteen minutes have gone by. Every time you get distracted, you need a minute to regain your focus. As you can see, this is a very inefficient way to study. Instead, set your smartphone to airplane mode and turn off all notifications on your computer as well. The fewer distractions you have, the better your focus will be.

Another essential tip: take (short) breaks more often!

Taking breaks regularly - even if only for five minutes - is necessary in order to give your brain time to recover and clear your head. Go make a cup of tea for yourself or take a stroll around the block. When you get back, you'll be refreshed and ready to go again!

6. Stay motivated

Do you struggle to find the motivation to study, now that you are stuck at home? Ask yourself why that is. Perhaps you do not fully comprehend the study material. In that case, ask your Tio lecturer or study coach for help. They can help you understand the course material better and stimulate you to bring out the best in yourself - even from a distance.

7. Reward yourself

Studying at home is not like studying at school - especially given the current circumstances. As a result, it requires (extra) discipline. Make studying more fun for yourself by celebrating (small) successes, such as making it through a difficult chapter. You can e.g. get a nice cup of coffee or watch an episode of your favourite show on Netflix. Let's be fair: studying is hard work. You deserve a reward from time to time! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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CORONA NEWS

“With Tio's online classes, I don't miss anything” Tio student Britt about attending classes at home The fact that all schools are required to close their doors as a result of the coronavirus epidemic is no reason for Tio to suspend its classes. On the contrary: Tio students have been able to take all their classes online from day one. “I am glad that Tio's classes are continuing as planned,” says Hotel and Event Management student Britt Reinders. “This way, I do not suffer any unnecessary study delay.”

Online classes from day one Through quick and decisive action, Tio was able to start offering all vocational- and higher-education classes to its students online less than half a day after the new measures were implemented. “It’s great! Tio took care of things very quickly,” Britt says. “Students do not have to miss anything or suffer any unnecessary study delays. No one is really affected by the fact that there are no physical classes to attend.”

Online education works well Tio's lecturers teach their classes live, while students watch on their computers at home. “It is easy to follow along with the classes like this,” Britt says. “Many of Tio's exam training sessions are available online as well, which you can watch as many times as you like. I have always made a lot of use of that and it works well!”

Avoiding study delays Britt is glad that she can continue to attend her classes in this manner, she says. “Now that we cannot go to school ourselves, it is great that Tio makes its classes available online. Students can attend these online classes wherever they want. This way, I do not suffer any unnecessary study delay. Still, I hope that it won't be too long before our regular classes can resume. I miss the social interaction and Tio is simply a great place to be.” •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS

Eleven tips on how to create a good study environment at home By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter Due to the corona measures, students will not be able to go to school for a while. That means they have to study at home. How can you create a good study environment at home where you can get your school work done in a pleasant and effective manner? Don't worry, we've got your back. After reading these tips, you'll be ready to go!

1.

Clear desk = clear head Everyone has their own idea of what their ideal study environment should look like. Most people are generally able to study more effectively in a quiet environment without any immediate distractions. The first thing you should therefore do is clean your desk and make sure there is no clutter in sight. Remember: a clear desk leads to a clear head.

2.

The right facilities Another requirement for a comfortable study environment is having the right facilities. Think of a (clean) desk with enough room for your laptop and books, as well as a comfortable chair, plenty of power outlets, a good internet connection and a desk lamp.

3.

Green is good Is your study environment looking a bit drab? Liven it up with a few touches of green! Besides looking great, it is also very useful. It turns out that having some plants in your workspace boosts your concentration and productivity. Watching nature is also said to help reduce your stress level. Did you know that some plants actually purify the air around you? How great is that?!

4.

Smile for the camera Are your classes being taught as usual, just like at Tio? While working on a project, for example, it helps to be able to confer with your fellow students via a webcam.

Although you may need some time to get used to communicating via a screen, it is certainly useful. This will allow you to study together remotely.

5.

The right temperature The ideal temperature at which to study differs per person. In general, however, it is better to make your room slightly too cold rather than too warm. If you are (too) warm, you will start to feel drowsy and your productivity will drop. That's exactly what you don't want while you're studying. If you can, open a window to let some fresh air in. It'll do wonders for your concentration.

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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CORONA NEWS

6.

Inform others Because of the corona measures, many people are stuck at home. That can certainly be a lot of fun, but it's not necessarily good for your productivity. Let others in your house know when you want to be left alone so you can study without being interrupted. Vice versa, you should leave them alone when they want to get some work done.

7. Make sure there is plenty of light

Working in an environment that is (too) dark will tire out your eyes more quickly, while bright fluorescent lighting is not good for your brain. It is therefore important to have plenty of natural light in your study environment. If that is not available or if you are studying in the evening, make sure to get a good desk lamp instead.

8.

Switch your smartphone to airplane mode It seems innocent enough: reply to some WhatsApp messages or quickly respond to an incoming email.

Before you know it, though, fifteen minutes have gone by.

No matter how tempting it is to check your smartphone every five minutes, it is a major source of distraction. After every distraction, your brain needs a minute to focus on the task at hand. As you can see, this is a very inefficient way to study. By switching your smartphone to airplane mode and eliminating all other immediate distractions, you will be able to retain your study material more effectively and get your work done quicker.

9.

Eliminate distracting noise Are you being distracted by noisy housemates or other sounds? Put your headphones on and listen to some calming music. If, on the other hand, you find it easier to concentrate when it's absolutely quiet, a pair of noisecancelling headphones might do the trick for you.

10.

Let it go Make a habit out of switching off your computer, putting away your books and cleaning up your desk at the end of every day. Going for a stroll outside will also help you end the working day effectively. If you have any unfinished tasks running through your head, write them down on a to-do list for the next day. This is a great way to let everything go and get some closure at the end of every day.

11.

Stay motivated Studying is hard work and studying at home requires even more discipline than usual. A bit of extra motivation certainly can't hurt. Set up your study environment in a way that reminds you of your (career) goals. Think of e.g. inspirational quotes, a picture of your role model or a description of your dream job. At times when you're feeling down, these things will remind you of what you are doing it all for. If you can dream it, you can do it! •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS

Studying during the corona crisis By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter Tio student Maxime de Koning believes that some of the measures taken in the Netherlands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus should be ramped up a bit. In her workplace - a butcher's shop - customers do not seem to follow the rules. She is satisfied with the measures taken by Tio, however: “It is great that the classes are now taught online instead.”

Tio's education continues Since day one of the mandatory closing of all schools, Tio has been offering all its classes online. “I do not have any online classes myself at the moment because of the minor I chose. I do think it's great that Tio's classes are now taught online instead. It's nice to be able to do something at least, despite being stuck at home,” says Maxime, who studies Hotel and Event Management herself. Still, she hopes the school will

open its doors again before too long. “When I'm at home, I get distracted more easily. I would rather go to school and attend my classes there.”

Running a business during the corona pandemic “I believe Tio has taken the right measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” Maxime continues. She is currently enrolled in the Entrepreneurship minor, which has her running a business together with her fellow students, including a management team, shareholders and an innovative product that they came up with themselves. The corona pandemic has certainly not made things any easier. “I believe few new products will be sold in the near future, while many people are stuck at home without work. I hope the requirements of the minor will therefore be mitigated somewhat.” •

Online finales By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications In April of this year, no finales will be held in the FOX Theater, cinemas or hotels; instead, they will take place in your very own room! That will not make the finales any less exciting, however: students from all programmes will compete for victory with their own projects - all without leaving their homes!

Among others, the finales of the Food & Beverage Management, Minor Entrepreneurship, Tour Operating Project, Project Stocks & Bonds and Minor Sales will be held online this year. Students will present their ideas to the judges via Blackboard.

Who will emerge victorious? •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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CORONANIEUWS

Online guest lectures on entrepreneurship By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications Entrepreneurial Tio students got the opportunity to attend online guest lectures on entrepreneurship during this time of crisis! This allowed them to gather expertise to help them with their (future) businesses, acquire GAC points and expand their knowledge all at the same time: three birds with one stone!

Interviews with different guests Every week, Tio lecturer Wilco de Jong interviewed a guest during a round-table discussion, while students asked their questions live via Blackboard. An overview of some of the featured guests: • Han Schulten; director of Fintessa Vermogensbeheer. He won the title of best asset manager of 2019 and talked about investing during a crisis.

• Rein Suijker; director of Hobbygigant. As the NOS wrote: “Arts and crafts and puzzles popular during crisis: sales skyrocket.” Tons of revenue, but a logistical nightmare?

• Lukas Foks; influencer marketing strategist at Mediaxplain. Is it business as usual for influencers, have campaigns been put on hold or are things busier than ever before?

All in all, students got to attend a series of inspirational guest lectures from the comfort of their own home! •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CORONA NEWS

Student life during corona: drinks in front of your monitor How can you survive your student life during the era of social distancing?

By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter Grabbing a bite to eat, hitting the gym or meeting up for drinks in your favourite pub...

All this and more will not be possible while the measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus are in effect. Nevertheless, there are things you can do together with your friends. They might not be the things you are used to doing, but that doesn't make them any less fun. Here are ten tips!

1. Pub quiz

A pub quiz with hundreds of participants during the corona crisis? Why not?! Using a live connection via social media, pubs and restaurants throughout the Netherlands are organising fun quizzes for people at home.

Participants can react via chat, so there is plenty of interaction. An added benefit is the fact that you can join in without getting off the couch!

2. Digital drinks

Drinking together with your friends will not be possible for a while. At least, not physically. There is always the digital option, however. Meet up with your friends via a group video chat, pour yourself a glass of your favourite drink and settle down in your favourite chair. Cheers!

Drinking in front of your monitor might take some getting used to, but it's actually quite fun once you do.

3.

Online escape room Do you love escape rooms? Lucky you! After being forced to close their doors as a result of the corona measures, eighteen escape rooms throughout the Netherlands have come together to develop an online escape room: the Lost Memory. It is guaranteed to offer two to five hours of puzzling fun! Although this exciting game is free to play, voluntary donations to support the escape rooms are more than welcome.

4. Catch a movie

Although you cannot go to the movies together, you can certainly watch movies together. Have each of your friends pick a movie from e.g. Netflix or Videoland, prepare the requisite amount of popcorn and set up a Skype connection. Despite not actually being together, you can still watch and comment on your favourite movies with your friends.

5.

‘Working out “together” Even though the gym is closed for a while, that is no excuse to lie on the couch all day. Go for a run or a bike ride; with two people, it is easy to maintain a safe distance of 1.5 metres. You can also schedule an online workout with your friends. YouTube is full of instructional videos and many gyms are currently offering (live) online classes as well.

6. Virtual safari

Going on a safari at home? You can!

Safari Park Beekse Bergen has made an amazing virtual car safari full of wild animals. Set up a group video chat with your friends, get in the (virtual) car together and enjoy the incredible sights and sounds along the way!

7. Educational podcasts

Do you have some spare time? Make good use of your free time and try to keep up; it is both educational and fun!

8. Going out to eat at home

You have to eat, so you'd better eat well. Support local caterers by having something delivered (or picking it up yourself) and get all your friends to join the group video chat at the same time.

Despite being stuck at home, you can still enjoy a meal together. Enjoy!

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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CORONA NEWS

9.

Virtual museum tour Are you ready for a more intellectual form of entertainment? Enrich your mind with art and culture and go on amazing tours of the world's most beautiful museums. You can explore the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris or the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

10. Play games

What’s more fun than sitting at your kitchen table for hours on end to play games with your friends? You can still do that, as long as each of you sits at their own kitchen table. Pick one of the many online games, challenge your friends online and get your game on. If you enjoy the thrill of competition, you can set up an entire tournament or championship as well! •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

Looking back on the second semester In the Tio Chat, we will also look back on the second semester, because a whole lot has happened! It is hard to imagine now: events such as the annual party, international trips and master classes with rooms full of people sitting close together. Still, such awesome times are worth remembering, especially given the current circumstances. Although social distancing will probably remain in effect for the foreseeable future, we hope to be able to organise events such as these in one form or another at some point in the future.

For students who were looking forward to doing an international internship this summer and those who had to abort their internship prematurely, this whole situation is a bitter pill to swallow. Fortunately, there are ways to continue your studies without incurring a study delay and/or additional costs. Rest assured that there will be plenty of international experiences in the future! The internship organisations featured in this section also have high hopes for the future, so don't hesitate to contact them if you see an internship position that interests you! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

CHEERS TO 50 YEARS! By: Jasmijn Kwakkelaar, National board member L.S.V. Cognatio Cheers to 50 years; what a party it was! On Wednesday 15 January, the Melkweg in Amsterdam was decked out in the colours of Tio and the national student association Cognatio. At 22:00, the doors were opened to admit the long lines of students that had formed outside and the party finally got started!

The night offered a wide range of musical genres. Lukas Vane was up first. After breaking out some moves on the dance floor, Lady Bee took over. A night like this wouldn't be complete without a few surprises; Jonna Fraser concluded his performance with his unreleased new track! Chocolate Puma and Snollebollekes also kept the students and members moving until the early hours of the morning. The final hour ended with a

bang with a performance by LNY TNZ, during which the crowd used up the last of its dance moves and energy.

This party with its many different styles of music had something for everyone.

See you soon! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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COGNATIO

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

TIO NEWS

in Dutch

New at Tio: the practical higher-education Law study programme Discover the fascinating world of the law From September 2020 (pending accreditation by the NVAO), Tio will offer a new higher-education study programme: Law. The programme will be available at all five Tio campuses. Tio's higher-education Law programme offers students a solid foundation of legal expertise, combined with knowledge of entrepreneurship. The first registrations for this new programme have already come in!

What does the study programme entail, exactly?

Laws are all around you: from making an online purchase to signing a contract with a mobile phone company. A lawyer with a higher-education background can effortlessly translate laws and regulations into practice. People go to them because of their substantive knowledge and expertise. If you are interested in our society and the world of legislation, if you like looking at things from different perspectives and if you work hard to resolve cases, the legal sector is looking for you! Move between legislation and practice and make a real difference by offering people and businesses your expert legal advice.

What's next?

As a practically oriented lawyer, businesses, governments and the legal services sector are eager to have you. Think of positions such as: • Mediator • Legal adviser

• • • • • •

Legal consultant Corporate lawyer at a multinational organisation Legal assistant at a law firm Support staff at the Public Prosecutor's office Legal assistant at a court of law You can even start your own (law) company

Bachelor of Law at Tio ✔ Practical education with many projects, cases, internships and study trips ✔ Personal education with small classes of just 11 students, on average ✔ Promising career perspectives in the legal sector ✔ Earn your higher-education degree in 3 or 4 years, or get an Associate degree in just two years ✔ The programme is highly relevant: laws are all around you ✔ Lecturers from the field: learn from the best! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO-NIEUWS

Tio student Melissa wins The NXT GM Challenge 2020 By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter The second edition of The NXT GM Challenge was won

by Tio student Melissa van Rooij. That means she gets to be the general manager of the four-star Postillion Hotel Amersfoort Veluwemeer in Putten for one year.

During the exciting finale on Wednesday 15 January, the ambitious student delivered an amazing pitch that swayed the judges’ opinion in her favour. Melissa: “This is amazing. It has truly kickstarted my career!”

The NXT GM Challenge “The challenge is a competition for students and alumni of hotel (management) schools in the Netherlands,” Melissa explains. After completing the entire process, contestants can win a job as general manager of a fourstar hotel. “Working as general manager at my age truly is a dream come true. I decided to enter as soon as I heard of this challenge.”

Three components In total, there were more than one hundred applications, Melissa explains. “If your application was selected, the first assignment was to record a vlog about yourself and your ambitions. The ten best candidates were then invited to attend the challenge days at the Postillion Hotel Amersfoort Veluwemeer. After a weekend full of workshops and assignments, three finalists were selected.

Each of them had to set up their own online campaign to gather votes from the public and convince the judges during the finale with a pitch.”

“ I get to start at the top!”

A dream comes true During the HotelloTOP Year Event at the Horecava, the winner was announced and Melissa - who was one of the three finalists - got the news that she had won. “Amazing!

I could not believe it. It felt surreal,” a thrilled Melissa reflects. “As I advanced through the rounds, I never thought I would actually win this thing. It is truly a dream come true for me. Getting a job like this usually requires years of professional experience, but I get to start at the top!”

The real deal From September of 2020, Melissa will be running the four-star hotel in Putten as general manager for a full year.

That means she will have full responsibility for the hotel's operations. “It is amazing that the hotel is giving people this opportunity. I get to take over from the winner of The NXT GM Challenge 2019. Being able to start at the very top of the corporate ladder is truly a unique opportunity.”

Support from Tio Melissa is currently enrolled in the final year of Tio's Hotel and Event Management programme. “I immediately felt right at home here.

I love Tio's small-scale nature and personal approach. During the challenge, I truly felt that Tio stood behind me. I received a ton of support. The social and communication courses definitely came in handy as I was giving my pitch on stage. I truly believe that helped me win.”

Hitting the ground running Lastly: how excited is Melissa to take on this new challenge? “Very excited, of course! I love the hospitality sector and enjoy making sure other people have a good time. As general manager, I get to do exactly that. This is a great way to kickstart my professional career!” •

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

TIO AMSTERDAM

Master class Librije for HMA students

Cheers!

By: Charlotte Parrée, Assistant campus manager Tio Amsterdam

Cooking at De Librije

Bowling it is!

By: Charlotte Parrée, Assistant campus manager Tio Amsterdam In early February, the new students who started their study programme in January went on an outing together. The students got to choose what they wanted to do: bowling!

Off they went to the bowling alley. In the end, it was a close call between Thijs and Daan. •

Earlier this year, the second-year Hotel Management students went on a trip to Zwolle. The students attended a cooking master class at De Librije, the proud recipient of no fewer than three Michelin stars. Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without a tour of Librije’s Hotel in Het Spinhuis and a visit to Librije’s Winkel. •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO AMSTERDAM

Escape the classroom Best maths class!

By: Yasemin Sahin, Lecturer Tio Amsterdam Last semester, we played “Escape the classroom maths” with the second-year and fast-track vocationaleducation students. The game is played in twos, and all the mathemathical domains are covered over the course of four rounds. Students not only really enjoyed playing the game, they also fought hard for that prestigious first place!

Liz Broeks and Koen Kaars Sijpesteijn ultimately emerged victorious. They even managed to beat the time set by last semester's winners (Daan Monster en Maxime Schouten).

The team managed to solve all mathematical conundrums

in 24:25.36 minutes. Liz and Koen received a welldeserved gold medal and a sandwich of their choice from Caroline's Corner.

This year, a prize was also awarded to the best maths class. It was won by the RKF class. All teams managed to finish the game in under thirty minutes and won some delicious baklava for their trouble. The teams consisted of: Ozan Erdogan & Bente Karels, Tim Helmers & Chayenne Meelker and Roxanne Reeves & Pepijn Meeuwen. I am very proud of all of you! •

SRH excursion at Schiphol By: Charlotte Parrée, Assistant campus manager Tio Amsterdam In February, students of the Steward(ess) Receptionist Host(ess) programme joined their study coach Jojanneke Klaasen on an adventure at our country's most famous airport: Schiphol. They especially enjoyed taking a look behind the scenes of the Customs department! •

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TIO AMSTERDAM

Students of Tio Amsterdam bursting with ideas during SRM By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications A coming-out day with a rainbow flag, an entrepreneurs’ breakfast and an awning for the cooking studio: the students of Tio Amsterdam were bursting with good ideas during the student representatives’ meeting! Other topics, such as exams, homework in the Tio app and the mirror in the men's room were also discussed. All in all, Tio received a wealth of input for improvements! •

TIO NEWS

Want to post for Tio? By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications Are you active on Instagram, do you love your study programme and would you like to share your experiences as a student with others? Sign up as a member of Tio's Instagram team!

In exchange for a small fee, you will share pictures, videos and other fun posts about your student life on your own Instagram channel. This is a great way to give current and prospective students a glimpse into the world of Tio. Interested? Send an email to v.mast@tio.nl! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO NEWS

Interview with Tio lecturer Elke Ulferts: “There's nothing better than sharing knowledge” By: Alex Greweldinger, Assistant campus manager Tio Utrecht Before becoming a lecturer at Tio Utrecht, she spent years working in the music industry with artists such as Coldplay, Shakira and Foo Fighters. Why did she decide to change her career path, what is her relationship with Germany and what exactly did she learn from Rammstein? An interview with Tio lecturer Elke Ulferts.

German music industry “I am from the north of Germany, where people speak a dialect that is quite similar to that of the province of Groningen,” Elke says. “I studied in Berlin (English, Spanish, Political Sciences) and ran the press department of FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen GmbH, one of Germany's largest concert and festival organisations, for twelve years.”

Rock-'n-roll lifestyle “Among other things, we organised the Hurricane Festival that attracted 70,000 visitors,” Elke continues, “as well as major tours and local concerts for Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Rammstein, Shakira and Robbie Williams. I loved working in the music industry and interacting with artists, journalists and all other members of the organisation. You work together with people from all over the world, you have to speak several languages and you are always up to date on the hottest bands.”

Career switch Then, Elke decided to move to the Netherlands.

“When I first came to the Netherlands and became a mother, I studied German in Utrecht. When I was younger, I dreamt of becoming a teacher, so it made sense to make that career switch then and there. Being a teacher means substantiating your own activities in a creative way. As a lecturer, you are on stage every single day. I love acting, so this is a lot of fun for me!”

Lecturer at Tio Elke enjoys her job at Tio very much. “I love the atmosphere here. Everyone is eager to work together and stimulate each other. When new lecturers join the

team, they are immediately familiarised with the organisation and the way things are done here. The lecturers’ positivity reflects on the students as well.

Because the groups are so small, you can really get to know your students and give everyone the attention they need. I believe Tio is unique in that sense.”

“ There’s nothing better than sharing knowledge. Seeing students make progress, giving something to them and getting something back in return” Sharing knowledge What does Elke love most about teaching? “There’s nothing better than sharing knowledge. Seeing students make progress, giving something to them and getting something back in return. Working with people, i.e. students, is much more fun than working with products. Teaching can be as fun as you want it to be. Humour is the key to a successful lecture.”

Lessons learned from Rammstein During her years in the music business, Elke got to work with many international artists and colleagues.

What did she learn from that? “I learned that everyone desires appreciation, no matter what position they are in. That includes the stage hands, the bus drivers, the catering staff, Marilyn Manson's stressed-out agent and the musicians themselves. Artists are not gods; they are ordinary people who, like you and me, love it when someone offers them a genuine smile. I also learned that Rammstein loves Nutella just about as much as Schweinshaxe...” •

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COGNATIO

Cognatio heads for the snow By: Jasmijn Kwakkelaar, L.S.V. Cognatio The students on the bus looked more like enthusiastic children going on their first school trip.

From Amsterdam to Eindhoven and then on to the final destination: Avoriaz, France. From 21 February to 1 March, circa eighty members of L.S.V. Cognatio from all Tio campuses went on a winter sports trip together.

The ten days of the trip were full of skiing, even for those students who had never skied before. The more experienced members took care of them. Besides skiing, there was a spa and a wide range of other activities to discover. At the end of each day, the festivities continued in The Place until the early hours of the morning. Every day, it offered a happy hour with an exclusive deal for Cognatio members.

regular tourists could not escape the festive atmosphere among the members. Bonds of friendship and unforgettable shared memories were forged between students from all Tio campuses.

All in all, this was another amazing and very successful trip to the snow-covered mountains.

We're already looking forward to next year's trip! •

Regardless of the weather outside, Cognatio could always be found in Le Folie Douche, where even

“I am missing carnival for these ten unforgettable days in the snow with Cognatio!”

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

27

TIO-NIEUWS

“After going on this trip once, you'll want to go again and again!”

"Cognatio's winter sports trip is like the introduction camp in the Ardennes for firstyear Tio students: you leave as a bunch of strangers and come back as members of one big, happy Cognation family.”

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TIO NEWS

Studying in Riga By: Emily Langham, Student International Tourism Management My name is Emily and I’m a third-year international student from Luxembourg studying International Tourism Management at Tio in Amsterdam. I am currently doing my minor abroad and I am studying at Turiba University in Riga, Latvia.

Once in a lifetime experience I decided to study abroad as it is a once in a lifetime experience, I wanted to go to a unique city that I usually would not go to and I love meeting new people. Another reason why I chose for a minor study abroad is the fact that I would get to study different subjects than I could follow at Tio in Amsterdam.

Living on campus Currently I am living in a student hostel, which is situated on campus. In the hostel I am sharing a room with Maartje, another Dutch student from Tio, and we live with students from a lot of different countries: Kazakhstan, Portugal, Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia and Uzbekistan, amongst others. Living on campus and living in the hostel has been a great experience. We attend a lot of different events organised by the Erasmus student network. It’s also nice living so close to the classrooms as I don’t lose a lot of time commuting everyday.

Latvian view on the tourism world The classes I am following are great, most of them are tourism related but nevertheless I could not have followed any of these courses at Tio in Amsterdam. It’s a really fun experience to get taught by Latvian teachers as they have a different view on the tourism world than Dutch teachers, and they also use local examples. Some examples of classes I am taking are: tourism economics and globalisation, rural tourism, tourism information systems and city as a sustainable tourism destination.

“ I would recommend a minor study abroad to anyone who has the chance!”

Great time in Riga I’m really grateful for this experience; I managed to make great friends and we are travelling a lot and we often do fun activities in Riga centre. Living in a different country gives you a different outlook on life and even though Latvia is close to the Netherlands, it still feels very different and less European. Overall, I’m having a great time here in Riga and I’m really happy to have three months left; I would recommend a minor study abroad to anyone who has the chance! • The coronavirus forced Emily to end her minor prematurely, but that does not detract from the amazing experience at all!

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO NEWS

Vocational Education Guide 2020: best tourism programme at Tio By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications Great news: Tio has once again been selected by the Vocational Education Guide as the institution with the best tourism programme in the Netherlands. This guide evaluates and compares the quality of all vocational-education study programmes and recently published its latest results. The vocational-education Steward(ess) Receptionist Host(ess) (SRH) programme has earned first place for the sixth year in a row.

High scores Tio's vocational-education Commercial Business Management and Hotel Management study programmes also finished in the top three. Furthermore, all programmes received the “Top Study Programme” hallmark. According to the Guide, Tio is “a private institution that has earned its place at the top.”

Tio's higher-education programmes also came first In addition to its vocational-education study programmes, Tio's higher-education programmes also earned first place in the Higher Education Guide, which was published in October of last year. For nine years in a row, Tio's study programmes have been finishing ahead of the competition in various rankings. • Source: Vocational Education Guide 2020

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Quality, attention and drive “We offer students a top-quality education and plenty of personal attention. For example, the average group consists of just eleven students and our highly educated lecturers incorporate their own practical experience into their lectures. On top of that, everyone at Tio - students and lecturers alike - are driven to continuously improve our education,” says campus manager Martijn Naberman of Tio Amsterdam. Students are highly satisfied with their education. Steward(ess) Receptionist Host(ess) student Melanie Moesman about Tio: “Tio is a small-scale and very personal institution. Everyone knows each other and the atmosphere is great here. Students get to attend fun lectures from lecturers with practical experience.”

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TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

TIO EINDHOVEN

Student representatives’ meetings: about courses, candy machines and apps By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications The students of Tio Eindhoven also took the opportunity to discuss their education during the student representatives’ meetings. Among the topics being discussed were the Organisational Science, Stock & Bonds and E-commerce courses, the candy machine, the classrooms and the new Tio app. Overall, the students are highly satisfied, especially about the excellent internships, the project weeks and the fascinating guest lectures. •

Carnival-style buffet By: Jeroen Mouw, Campus journalist Tio Eindhoven

After the lecturers’ meeting, which was held in late February and where the Learning Awards were given out to lecturers, the attendees got to enjoy a delicious Indonesian buffet. They were served by the assistant campus managers, study coaches and system administrator Bonno Bloksma. Of course, Eindhoven wouldn't be Eindhoven without having "carnival” as the evening's theme. That explains the extravagant and colourful decorations! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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INTERVIEW

Tio lecturer Guadalupe: “Motivating students is a great challenge” By: Olga Boekhoorn, Campus journalist Tio Utrecht If you work or study at Tio Utrecht, you've probably seen her around. You can recognise her by her friendly smile and her greetings of “hola” or “hallo.” Students of Spanish know where to find her if they have questions or need a little encouragement and motivation. I am talking about Guadalupe Toledo Antúnez. High time we all got to know her a little better!

Hi Guadalupe, nice to see you! When did you join Tio? Guadalupe: “I joined Tio in 2013. In fact, this March is my tenth year of living in the Netherlands! I obtained my master's degree in Latin-American studies in Leiden.

Afterwards, I asked myself if I wanted to stay here or not.

I gave myself one year to find something worth doing, or I would go back to Mexico. Then I found Tio. I have enjoyed working here ever since. I also met my husband.

Every year, I wonder if this might be the year that things start to become less fun. But it never is!”

What are some interesting differences between the Dutch and Mexican cultures?

“The agenda is something typically Dutch! I am still not used to it. Whenever you want to meet up with a friend, you have to pick a date far in advance. In Mexico, those appointments are not so strict. I would also like to take Mexico's many traditions with me. They have a ton of celebrations there!”

“ Tio students know what they want and are not afraid to say what they think. That is interesting.”

Is studying truly different here, compared to Mexico?

“Yes, it really is. In Mexico, the hierarchical relations are different. In the Netherlands, students are much closer to their lecturers. That has certain benefits. On the other hand, students tend to lose themselves in their smartphones in this country. That happens far less in Mexico. It is great that students here have their own distinct view of the world. They know what they want and are not afraid to say what they think. That is interesting.”

Are Tio students different than other linguistics students?

Before and during my work at Tio, I worked for a Spanish language institute. The students there are truly eager

to learn the language. Here, it is a standard part of the curriculum. The question is what you need to do to motivate students. During their first year, everyone is motivated, but that changes as time goes on. I love the challenge of it. I want to offer students more in order to challenge them. For example, if a group likes songs, I will look for songs to help them learn the language. If a group likes to talk about sports, I will search for activities related to sports. This allows them to experience the language and gets them talking in Spanish more. The grammar is always the same, but no two groups of students are alike.

I tailor my course material to each group. That keeps things interesting for everyone.

The great thing about Spanish is that students learn the language from scratch. Most have little to no prior knowledge when they come to me for the very first time. You can see them develop over time. That is very special!” •

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TIO-NIEUWS

New at Tio: Associate degree in two years From September of 2020, all of Tio's bachelor's programmes will be available as Associate degree (Ad) programmes as well. An Ad is a higher-education degree that students in the Netherlands can earn in just two years. Tio's Ad programmes offer students knowledge and skills that they can immediately put into practice; after obtaining your Ad, you can get a job in the field of your choice right away!

For whom?

Associate degrees are perfect for students who want to enrol in a higher-education study programme without having to spend the next three or four years in school.

Think of e.g. vocational-education students who want to enrol in a follow-up programme or higher-education students who want to complete a (second) highereducation study programme in just two years’ time.

Where and when?

The Associate degree programmes for all of Tio University of Applied Sciences’ bachelor's programmes will be available at all five Tio campuses from September of 2020. •

EXTERNAL NEWS

Smoking banned in schoolyards after the summer of 2020 Submitted by: Mark Duthler, Director Amsterdam – From the start of the new academic year, smoking will be banned in schoolyards. The Dutch cabinet has accepted the proposal of State Secretary Blokhuis of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The measure will apply to elementary schools, high schools, vocational- and higher-education institutions and universities.

Every day, 75 young people under the age of 18 start smoking, Blokhuis says: “That is a huge number. Many young people have their first cigarette in the schoolyard. It is high time to make smoking in schoolyards a thing of the past.”

The educational institutions themselves will be responsible for implementing, communicating and enforcing the ban. • Source: National Government

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO NEWS

Ten useful saving tips for students By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter As a student, money can sometimes be tight. That's too bad, because student life is not exactly cheap.

Getting a (second) job is not always an option. Luckily, there are some handy tricks you can use to save money. We've collected the ten best tips for you!

1. Stay on top of things Do you know exactly where your money goes each month?

Saving money starts with insight into your financial situation. For one month, keep track of everything you earn and spend (that includes the coffee you had on the train and the sandwich you bought in the cafeteria). Take a hard look at your expenses: what are you spending too much money on without even realising it and what cutbacks can you make?

2. Sharing is caring Do you live in a student accommodation? Eat your dinners together with your housemates every night. You can save money by buying in bulk and have a great time while you're at it. If you take turns cooking, you'll also save a lot of time. Win-win-win!

3. Grab your bike Public transport is great, but also quite expensive if you don't have a student transportation card. Why not grab your bike instead? Instead of dealing with connections and delays, you can easily ride from A to B whenever you want and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. You can cancel your gym membership while you're at it.

4. Smart shopping We don't have to tell you that the grocery store around the corner is probably cheaper than a major supermarket.

There are other useful shopping tips, though. Keep an eye on sales, buy in bulk, stick to your shopping list (no more impulse purchases for you) and get store-brand products when you can. Did you know that the cheapest products are often found at the bottom of the shelves?

5. Take advantage of discounts In many student towns, you can get student discounts at diners, cinemas, museums, hair salons, etcetera. Make sure you always have your student card with you and keep an eye on the promotions. Don't be afraid to ask about getting a student discount; you'll hardly be the first to do so.

6. More for less If you love fruits and vegetables, you'll probably know that these products aren't always cheap in supermarkets.

Always look for seasonal products: these are more affordable and better for the environment. It is also a good idea to visit your local market. Fruits and vegetables are cheaper there, especially near the end of the day. Go out and score some deals!

7. Second-hand textbooks Why waste your money on (expensive) new textbooks if you can buy them off someone else for a fraction of the cost? Ask your fellow students, look around on Marktplaats.nl and Bol.com and check out your study programme's Facebook group to see if anyone is selling the books you need.

8. Marktplaats Marktplaats is ideal for anyone who wants to save some money. It is not only a great place to buy furniture and home decorations on the cheap; you can also sell your own stuff there. Think of e.g. textbooks, furniture, clothing or shoes. Who knows; your old stuff might be worth quite a lot!

9. Bring your own lunch Of course, those fresh sandwiches from the cafeteria are very tempting, but they're not exactly cheap. Just think of how much money you can save every month by bringing your own lunch - which is probably healthier to boot!

10. Get your finances in order Frequently take a critical look at your finances and try to find new ways to save (even more) money. Check whether you are entitled to receive healthcare or housing benefits.

If you have a job, make sure to fill out your tax return every year. You might get hundreds of euros back from the Tax Authority! •

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TIO NEWS

Are you using the new MyTio app?

By: Louis van Dieteren, Manager IT With the new MyTio app, you will always have access to your current schedule, your grades, the latest Tio news and your digital student card. You can also use the app to easily evaluate your classes.

What is included in the app?

The app offers detailed class schedules, results (grades), Installeren op iOS Installeren op iOS Installeren IOS Android op Android notifications if there are changes, news, class evaluations, a digital student card and a follow option with which parents or guardians can track a student's study performance - with the student's consent, of course.

For important news, you will receive a special push notification, the message will be displayed in the app's notification centre and an icon will be shown on the MyTio tile on your phone. https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/mytio/id1459843200?l=nl&ls=1 https://play.google.com/store/apps/d https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/mytio/id1459843200?l=nl&ls=1 There are also shortcuts to access Webmail, PrestoStudent, TOPdesk and the Regulations. The app will automatically use your phone's language settings (Dutch or English) and you can restrict access to the app with an access code and/or your fingerprint.

The app's functionalities are expanded over time. For example, it is now also possible to evaluate guest lectures and the central exams were recently added to your schedule. Soon, you will receive a notification if your lecturer has fallen ill. More features will be introduced in the months to come.

Installing the MyTio app You can download the MyTio app from the Apple Store or Google Play or via the following QR codes.

Logging in Log in with your Tio username and password.

Questions and support If you need help installing the app, contact your campuses system administrator. If you have any remarks, questions or suggestions to improve the MyTio app, send an email to appsupport@tio.nl. •

It offers detailed class schedules, results (grades), notifications if there are changes, news, class evaluations, a digital student card and a follow option.

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO-NIEUWS

Holy guacamoly!

An inspiring masterclass of The Avocado Show Door: Ella Smith-Folkersma, Campus journalist Tio Amsterdam “A crazy story, yet true”, Ron Simpson starts his masterclass at Tio Amsterdam. With an extremely successful background in the music and marketing industry Ron decided to do something else. This resulted in a fully funded global brand: The Avocado Show. During this masterclass Ron Simpson, owner and founder of The Avocado Show, shows us the power of social media and imperfection, and inspires us to always think about what to do next.

How it all started Things were going great for Ron in the marketing industry. "When things are going really well, you have to think about the next step." Together with his friend and business partner Julien Zaal Ron decided to build something that lasts. “Trends were showing people demanding things that look better, prettier and are healthier, fast casual food, really good food but quicker, they wanted a 'mono' restaurant.” All these trends combined, and considering the fact that 400 million people eat avocados worldwide, they chose to go all avocado.

A restaurant in five days This was on a Thursday. On Friday Ron gave his friends the challenge to show him in an hour what an avocado restaurant looks like. Jamie van Heije, friend and top chef, got the challenge to come up with a menu. Ninety percent of what came back is what is now used in the restaurant. On Monday Ron got a wake-up call from Julien saying he found a location in De Pijp (Amsterdam) for their restaurant: The Avocado Show.

One picture – 212 million views Instead of going for a press release, with a well composed press pack, they figured that support from their friends and family is more important. So they put a simple picture of the three of them on Facebook tagging Ron's mum. “It just said: ‘Oh my God, we're opening an avocado restaurant.’ It had zero information.” This picture is the reason why they had 212 million views. It went worldwide and they started to make international headlines before the restaurant had even opened yet. Only four months after it went viral the restaurant opened. The night before opening people actually slept outside. It's been three years now and guests are still queuing outside for a table.

1,200 franchise requests Ron and Julien have three goals. One: sustainability. They believe they can grow big enough to have a positive effect on the sustainability of the entire supply chain of avocados. Two: love. They hope to open up to 25 franchises over the next five years. As there is no love in franchising they look for franchisees that have a love for the concept.

They now have 1200 franchise requests. Three: brand. If all of you know the brand Chiquita for bananas, they want everyone to know the avocado brand The Avocado Show.

A crazy story, with the avocado as the rockstar! •

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TIO HENGELO

Networking at Tio Hengelo

Dedicated policy to strengthen ties with businesses By: Dick Schlüter, Campus journalist Tio Hengelo At this moment, work is underway at Tio's campus in Hengelo to implement the new policy developed by campus manager Maurice Krabbenborg, which is designed to strengthen Tio's ties with local businesses with the help of the student coach and the team of lecturers. In addition to guest lectures and networking lunches, visits to interesting campuses are also scheduled.

Sportscars, had enough questions to answer. The same was true for the nationally operating Trouwringenvoordeel.nl and the other businesses in attendance. The handy carousel structure allowed groups of students to move between businesses and talk to everyone there. Many new contacts were established, which will hopefully lead to exciting internship and final thesis project opportunities in the future.

Networking lunch The first networking lunch, held in early February for representatives from various businesses and our vocational- and higher-education students, was a success!

Tijmen Keizers, marketing manager Ferrari at Munsterhuis

Guest lecture on Duvel In February, marketing manager Saskia ter Meulen gave a guest lecture about the Duvel beer brewery. This Belgian brewery operates on an international scale and has a sales location in Deventer. Students were told that there are significant differences between national markets. Saskia ter Meulen: “In Belgium, Duvel is generally enjoyed by different demographics. In the Netherlands, however, this beer is said to make you drunk and it is believed to be mostly popular among students and in alternative circles.”

Networking opportunities aplenty Chatting up Trouwringenvoordeel.nl

Company visit to the University of Twente In early March, Marlies Tijhuis led a group of students on a visit to a laboratory at the University of Twente in Enschede. In this lab, researchers study the effects of virtual reality and neuromarketing. The students were given an exclusive look behind the scenes of the laboratory. •

Students from Hengelo speak their minds By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications On 13 February, the student representatives from Hengelo spoke their minds about Tio. Among other things, they discussed the Wi-Fi network, the new Tio app, free-choice subjects and the temperature in the classrooms.

A tip from the students: offer a wider selection of healthy sandwiches in the cafeteria. Students from Hengelo can look forward to a fun break from their summer internship: on 14 July, Tio will organise a midsummer barbecue! •

TIO CHAT / JAN-FEB-MAR-APR 2020

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TIO HENGELO

Top entrepreneur Michiel Witteveen in Hengelo By: Vera Wonink, Lecturer Tio Hengelo April 2019: Michiel Witteveen is taking over Blokker Holding, the corporation that - at that time - consists of the retain chains Blokker, Big Bazar and Marskramer. It is up to him to turn the tide for the ailing holding. Since then, an upward trend has been realised. In early February, Witteveen came to Hengelo to talk about this experience during a guest lecture.

Dare to jump Witteveen starts with an anecdote. He is six years old and doesn't know how to swim yet. His father takes him to the pool, throws him in the deep end and that is how he learned to swim. In other words: dare to jump, because the best way to learn is by doing.

A true entrepreneur Witteveen is a true entrepreneur at heart. His father founded the fashion retail chain Claudia Sträter and his great-grandfather was also a business owner. Witteveen himself started his career at C&A and eventually became secretary for the trio of Brenninkmeijer (C&A), Heijn (AH) and Blokker. After working for Jaap Blokker for some time, he opens his own retain chain: Witteveen. Over the years, he has always kept in touch with Jaap Blokker.

Control the controllables The Witteveen retail chain is sold off in 1998, clearing the road to take on new projects. When Toys’R’Us is at risk of going bankrupt, Witteveen acquires a stake in the organisation. In less than a year, it is breaking even again.

Witteveen's advice: control the controllables, i.e. revenue, margins and costs. At Toys'R’Us, this maxim was translated into concrete measures, which Witteveen is happy to share with the attending students.

Witteveen and Blokker Next, Witteveen talks about the trouble at Blokker, where fewer and fewer customers were coming to the stores, and he explains how things got to this point. Els Blokker, the widow of Witteveen's former employer, asked Witteveen to join Blokker's supervisory board in an attempt to turn the tide. Witteveen accepted and was eventually chosen as the new chairman of the board.

During the guest lecture, he talks about the concrete measures that were taken to make the retail chain profitable once more.

The secret of success At the end of the guest lecture, students ask Witteveen some pertinent questions, which he answers in great detail. One of the students asks the big question: “What is the secret of success?” Without revealing his own secrets, Witteveen does answer the question. You need to have money. You must be able to borrow from private individuals, because banks are not forthcoming enough.

What you need on a personal level are perseverance and passion, especially when you start small. •

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TIO NEWS

This is how you start a business!

By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter New businesses are springing up like mushrooms; some more successful than others. Do you also dream of your own business, but are you unsure of how to tackle it? Not to worry, getting started is easier than you think. Our step-by-step plan will have you fully prepared for a successful start in no time!

1

Start with a plan Make your ideas tangible by describing the most important aspects of your future business in a business plan. Conceive a clear description of your product or service, but also devote attention to your vision, target group, marketing and revenue model. What are your goals; what do you want to have achieved in a year’s time?

2

Underaged?

Do you want to start your own business before you turn 18? That is no problem in the Netherlands. Remember to request emancipation via the district judge to ensure you will not require your parents’ or guardians’ permission for every action you undertake as an underaged business owner. You should also check whether having your own business affects your entitlement to child benefits and/or student finance to avoid nasty surprises down the road.

3

Visit the Chamber of Commerce Once you've made detailed enquiries, come up with a company name and a legal form, it is time to register your business in the Chamber of Commerce’s trade register. You will then receive your VAT identification number and will officially be classified as an entrepreneur by the Tax Authority!

4

Work on a website Yes! As a brand-new entrepreneur, you are ready for the real deal. Do you have a website yet, so your potential clients know where to find you? Build your site yourself or hire someone to do it. Use compelling texts, attractive photos and clear calls to action. Also spend some time on search engine optimisation (SEO), so people can actually find your business online.

5

Spruce up your portfolio Is your website up and running? Your first priority should now be to develop an eyecatching portfolio, so potential clients can see exactly what you are capable of. To fill up your portfolio faster, consider offering your product or service at a discounted rate for a little while. In exchange for the generous discount you offer, you can ask clients to give you feedback or a testimonial that you can post on your website!

6

Utilise your network Tell your friends and family about your business and make sure to inform fellow students, lecturers and colleagues as well. They often have (large) networks of their own and might be able to help you expand your client base. Do not underestimate the value of free publicity: with a little attention and creativity, you can achieve a great deal with social media these days!

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Communicate with your school Inform your study coach of your business and enquire about the options. Think of e.g. exemptions or a modified class schedule, should your business really take off. Tio can offer students who own their own business tailor-made solutions to encourage their entrepreneurial aspirations and give them the opportunity to make the most of their business and their studies.

Happy boss Congratulations: you are now a genuine entrepreneur. That means you are in charge of everything to do with your business and you get to manage your own time. You can be flexible and take advantage of the latest trends and developments immediately. Above all, it means you are now your own boss. Good luck! •

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TIO NEWS

Extra sales certificate with your diploma By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications From now on, students of Commerce Entrepreneurship and Organisations (CEO) and Commercial Business Management (CMB) will receive an additional knowledge certificate along with their diploma, since these study programmes are officially SMA accredited!

Top-quality study programmes The Sales Management Association (SMA), the association of sales professionals, accredits study programmes that have Commerce as their primary subject. Eiso Bleeker, director of SMA: “Accrediting a study programme offers a form of quality assurance during which the programme is assessed in comparison with predetermined standards.”

If an SMA certificate is given out, that means the study programme meets the quality requirements.

Who will receive what certificate?

In practice, this accreditation means that students of CEO and CBM will receive the following knowledge certificate along with their diploma from now on: • CEO: SMA-B1 Senior Sales Professional • CBM: SMA-A Sales Practitioner Committee impressed The assessment committee was impressed by Tio's educational system, which is based around development and evaluation. Tio passed the assessment process with flying colours and the committee unanimously decided to award the accreditation to the CEO and CBM programmes.

Eiso Bleeker: “You should be very proud; everything is well taken care of!” SMA's representatives were also very positive about the involvement of the professional field via Tio's alumni policy and the professional field advisory committee. According to the committee, both study programmes offer a clear learning pathway in the field of sales with ample focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. •

Follow Tio on social media Stay up to date on the latest news about your fellow students, Tio news and more via Tio's social media channels! •

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TIO NEWS

Tio student joins Travel Talent Event panel By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications HotelloTOP, Vakantiebeurs; January once again offered a variety of networking events for Tio students and colleagues.

They did more than attend these events: tourism student Lotus van Cooten, who has already won the title of Travel Talent 2019, was part of the Travel Talent Event panel!

One of her fellow panel members was none other than Elske Doets, owner and director of Doets Reizen, who taught a master class at Tio Amsterdam. Together, they inspired students with interactive sessions that showed just how much fun working in the travel industry can be. •

Even more Englishlanguage education at Tio Did you know that a growing number of Tio's study programmes is available in English? The campuses in Amsterdam and Utrecht currently offer several higher-education study programmes in both Dutch and English. Soon, students can also choose study programmes in English at Tio Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Hengelo.

International ambitions Do you aspire to a glorious future abroad? In that case, an English-language study programme will definitely come in handy. English is an important language in the world of business. Being fluent in English lets you do business in many more countries. After all, there are no borders in business.

International network When you choose an English-language study programme at Tio, you will not sit with Dutch students only. Students from Tio's partner universities can also enrol in its study programmes in English. This is a great opportunity to expand your network with some international connections!

An overview Take a look at which higher-education study programmes are available in English at which Tio campus: • Hotel and Event Management: Amsterdam & Utrecht • International Tourism Management: Amsterdam & Utrecht • International Business Management: Amsterdam & Utrecht | Eindhoven & Rotterdam from September 2020 | Hengelo from September 2021 • Commercial Economics & Entrepreneurship Amsterdam & Utrecht from September 2020 •

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Tio alumna Maureen works as manager events at Triple Double By: Hilde Gilissen, Reporter UEFA, Philips, TeamNL, Vuelta 2020, KLM... These are just a few of the brands and businesses for which Maureen Dasselaar and her team organise the most amazing (inter)national events. The ambitious Tio alumna works for the leading sports marketing agency Triple Double. Maureen: "We help businesses and brands benefit from the power of sports.”

Bringing brands and fans together “Triple Double is a sports marketing agency in Eindhoven that develops marketing concepts for the business and sports sectors,” says organisational talent and sports enthusiast Maureen. With great passion, Triple Double gives sports social significance and brings brands and fans together. “We help businesses realise their communication and commercial targets by doing something with sports. Our goal is to develop an all-in approach that includes everything from strategy to execution.”

Where sports, marketing and events come together “At Triple Double, we combine a wide range of disciplines in order to satisfy our clients’ every need.

These include marketing, design and events,” Maureen explains. As manager events, she operates on the cutting edge between marketing and events. “I supervise the events team, which consists of several event and project managers, among other people. For all our events, we also collaborate closely with designers and other creative individuals to achieve the best possible results. We organise 100 to 120 events per year, which is quite a lot.”

From Kuwait to Brazil “We are involved in the entire process: from the initial creative idea to the final execution of the event itself. It is so much fun,” Maureen continues excitedly. “I get to work for a wide range of brands, come into contact with all kinds of sports and visit unique locations. That diversity is what makes my job so much fun. I also love the international aspect: I get to travel the world from Kuwait to Brazil.”

Winner of the Golden Giraffe Triple Double's marketing concepts regularly win awards. The Dutch Open Curling Championships on Natural Ice 2018, an event that Triple Double developed and organised, even won a prestigious

Golden Giraffe Event Award in the PR & Media Value category. Maureen: “Curling is a relatively unknown sport. With this PR event, we wanted to put it on the map in the Netherlands. The media value turned out to be enormous. It was truly amazing to win that award!”

“ I deliberately stayed away from sports programmes; I wanted the best event programme I could find.”

Best event programme Maureen studied Hotel and Event Management: at Tio. “I have always had good organisational skills. I wanted to do something with events and sports,” she explains.

“Still, I deliberately stayed away from sports programmes; I wanted the best event programme I could find. Even back then, Tio's reputation was excellent. I really enjoyed the small-scale nature and personal guidance, as were the lecturers with their practical experience. The study gave me an excellent foundation. Tio ensures you are well prepared for your future career.”

Jury member during the Event Week During her own years at Tio, Maureen only had one goal in mind: to one day work for Triple Double. That dream has come true for her. How amazing is it that she got to encourage the latest generation of Tio students to chase their dreams during the Event Week?! Maureen was a member of the jury during the Event Week. “The level of quality was quite high,” she reflects. "The students were very creative, especially with regard to digital solutions. I was impressed!” • Tip: Triple Double is still looking for interns for the coming summer !

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TIO ROTTERDAM

A packed room during festive graduation ceremony By: Jolanda Bouman, Campus journalist Tio Rotterdam On 21 February, thirty students came to Tio Rotterdam to receive their diplomas and the congratulations that go with it. The eighteen higher-education and twelve vocational-education students are clearly thrilled to be here. They reaped the rewards of all their hard work and are about to embark on their own career paths.

“Get a job, choose a follow-up study programme, see the world; whatever you want to do, always follow your heart and don't let anyone tell you you cannot achieve your dreams,” says the proud campus manager Jan-Willem ten Broek during his congratulatory speech.

Top students The room is packed with graduates, their friends and families. Tess Smeman turns out to be the top highereducation student with an average grade of 7.83. She is stunned when she is called onto the stage. Tess: “I honestly had no idea!” Dominique Poth finished her vocational-education studies cum laude with an average grade of 8.4. An excellent result! “That doesn't happen a lot,” says study coach Nathalie. “It's very impressive.”

Both students are celebrated and given a large bottle of champagne in honour of their achievements.

Thrown hats and broken glass The graduates - dressed in ceremonial robes - line up for the traditional tassel ceremony and the throwing of the hats. Friends and family are standing by with their cameras and smartphones. After the official photo shoot, it is time to throw the hats. Everyone is trying to find the perfect angle to capture this unique moment. The sound

of broken glass can be heard as the hats soar through the air, but it doesn't spoil the moment.

Ceremony and drinks Then it is time for the official ceremony and the signing of the diplomas. The graduation coaches have written personal speeches for all students, they share fun anecdotes and pile compliments and congratulations onto their students. Time to celebrate with some drinks and snacks! Everyone is feeling happy and having fun.

Friends and family members are proud of their loved ones and enjoyed hearing all the personal stories. Of course, this unique day wouldn't be complete without a fun dinner party. •

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TIO ROTTERDAM

Wonderful foundation certificate ceremony on a unique date By: Jolanda Bouman, Campus journalist Tio Rotterdam 20-02-20: what could be a better date than that to sign your foundation certificate? The twenty-nine higher-education students should be proud of their certificate. “Very proud indeed," says study coach Marije de Jong. “It proves you have what it takes and with this certificate, you can enrol at a university.” The Tio students certainly are proud!

Relieved students “We did it,” says Casper. “Just 1.5 years to go and then we're done.” Cleo thinks it's “nothing unusual, but a lot of fun nevertheless. You have something to show for your hard work and it is still an achievement.” “Finally,” sighs Cythia with relief, “I had to retake CSR six times for this.”

Handing out the diplomas After being congratulated on reaching this milestone by campus manager Jan-Willem ten Broek, study coaches Marije, Femke and Birgitta take the students to the ceremony. Everyone got their own little speech, a brief reflection on their studies and internships, hugs, kisses and of course their foundation certificate. The students had a great time, as did their proud parents who were busy taking as many pictures and videos as they could. “It is great that everyone got their moment in the spotlight.

This was done in a very fun and spontaneous manner, which makes this ceremony truly special.”

Drinks and pictures While the guests enjoyed some drinks and the students had their picture taken with the famous green folder, there was a brief commotion when one of the students had a severe reaction after accidentally eating some nuts. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, just to be sure, but has since recovered from the ordeal. •

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TIO ROTTERDAM

Master class by senior consultant Eurovision Song Contest Ruurd Bierman By: Jolanda Bouman, Campus journalist Tio Rotterdam Earlier this year, more than 120 Tio students attended the unique master class taught by Ruurd Bierman.

Lecturer of event management Gea van der Spek bombarded Ruurd with questions about organising the largest live event in the world: the Eurovision Song Contest. Afterwards, the students called the master class fun, interesting, complicated and educational.

A look back.

Complicated job Last year, when it was looking more and more likely that Duncan Laurence would be winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Arcade, the broadcast sector was in a panic.

They had to come up with a plan as quickly as possible, just in case. Bierman was thrilled to be involved. “It was a complicated job,” he says. “This is an incredibly complex event. Given the fact that it's been forty-five years since the Netherlands won the Song Contest, there was little existing knowledge to work with. You have to deal with various parties (EBU, NPO, Avro/Tros, the government, Rotterdam) and then there is the big question: how will you finance this event, which costs €26 million, as a country?”

Why was Rotterdam chosen, of all places?

Bierman: “The location has to meet a long list of requirements. In the end, the fact that the ceiling of the venue in Rotterdam is a few metres higher was the deciding factor. Maastricht talked about excavating the floor of the MECC, but that was deemed to be a step too far.”

From Anouk to Sieneke There are quite a few Song Contest enthusiasts in the audience, it turns out. What can explain the event's rising popularity? Bierman believes it is due to the professionalisation. “The setup is

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TIO ROTTERDAM similar to that of the Champions League, it has televoting and social media is a major factor. The key difference is that the Netherlands sends a different kind of artist these days. Anouk marked the turning point.” Everyone in the room agrees what the low point was: Sieneke. Bierman expects Jeangu Macrooy, who represents the Netherlands this year, to do well during the event. What if he wins?

Would Bierman be willing to organise the event a second time? “Absolutely,” he says. “It'll be a challenge.

When Ireland won two years in a row, it nearly killed the network. However, the transfer of knowledge is much better these days, which makes a huge difference.”

Sustainability Students Suzanne and Miriam from Utrecht want to know to what extent sustainability is a factor for the event's organisers. Bierman: “That was a major issue, but it is hard to realise. Just think of the power generators running for weeks on end and all the air traffic involved.

We are overhauling the catering, though. No more fast food, plastic or wasted energy during its preparation.

The problem is that sustainability is not a top priority.

Financing and choosing a venue were our key concerns initially. I should note that our current office in Hilversum is made entirely out of temporary and waste materials, such as scrap wood.”

Time for karaoke!

Open Up What is the organisation's message behind the theme of “Open Up?” “Among other things, it refers to the current zeitgeist in which we open ourselves up to the many sounds of Europe. We are also making the event more accessible for various groups and keeping ticket prices affordable. The downside of that approach is that there is less revenue to be earned. What will the event do for Rotterdam and the Netherlands? A growth in tourism, unprecedented ratings and a major boost for the image of our creative and technological industry. It also finally lets us pay off a long-standing debt, after benefiting from other countries’ hard work for many years.”

Karaoke Afterwards, many students approach Bierman with more questions. He patiently takes the time to answer them all.

The night is not over yet, though. Cognatio has hosted a karaoke night. Along with a few others, Bierman is up first. Their song of choice is, you've guessed it, Duncan's Arcade! •

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TIO ROTTERDAM

Winner of Amsterdamse Popprijs Ben Forte gives musical guest lecture

By: Jolanda Bouman, Campus journalist Tio Rotterdam Up-and-coming talent and rapper-songwriter Ben Forte taught a truly unique guest lecture. Accompanying himself on guitar, this musical wordsmith gave students a closer look into the world of metaphors and imagery. Coincidentally, he won the finale of the prestigious Amsterdamse Popprijs 2019 the very next day.

Words as bars Ben Forte lets the students see and hear just how versatile language can be. He explains how he uses language and that you can do much more with it than simply parsing sentences. He plays some of his own songs, including “Op zee” and “In de ring,” and discusses

the metaphors incorporated into the lyrics. What does the sea represent? What are the similarities between a boxing ring and life itself? "Words can be bars,” he says. “Using metaphors gives you a lot more ways to express feelings in a crystal-clear manner. It takes you out of the context of the word and creates an entirely new perspective that you can then explore in more detail. In the end, it allows you to communicate more effectively with yourself, which is awesome.”

Creating your own metaphors With the help of some questions, the students get to work on creating their own metaphors. What interesting quality or property does your topic possess? What else has this quality or property? Once you've established that, ask yourself what other comparisons you can make?

Touching During his closing performance of “Muisstil,” you can hear a pin drop in the room. Some students are moved to tears. It takes a special talent to pull that off. This is undoubtedly not the last we've heard of Ben Forte. How awesome will it be to tell others: “I once attended his lecture at Tio!” •

Enthusiastic students during SRM in Rotterdam By: Vera Mast, PR and Communications At Tio Rotterdam, the online aspects of Tio's education were the main points of discussion during the student representatives’ meetings: students like the Tio app, they take the time to fill out the course surveys and the Wi-Fi network works well. Of course, there are some points of improvement as well.

For example, it is not always clear how to claim expenses online, more attention should be given to the APA guidelines and there were some questions about the exams. Tio has already started making the necessary improvements! •

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TIO NEWS

New at Tio: Business Economics Become the finance professional of the future From September 2020 (pending accreditation by the NVAO), Tio will offer a new higher-education study programme: Business Economics. Tio's Business Economics programme offers students a solid foundation of legal expertise, combined with knowledge of entrepreneurship. The programme will be available at all five Tio campuses.

What does the programme entail, exactly?

As a finance professional, you are the heart of any organisation. You translate numbers and figures into recommendations at the management level. It is your job to provide insight into a company's successes and optimise operational processes. You do that by correctly interpreting data and drawing the right conclusions based on that information. Balance sheets, budgets, annual reports and investment plans: after completing Tio's higher-education Business Economics study programme, the financial world will have no more surprises in store for you!

What's next?

As a finance professional, you can get a job at any organisation that is after healthy financial business

in Dutch

operations: from SMEs to multinationals and from charities to government institutions.

Think of positions such as: • Controller • Risk manager • Financial analyst • Financial adviser • Assistant accountant • You can even start your own business!

The higher-education Business Economics programme at Tio: ✔ P ersonal education with small classes of just 11 students, on average ✔ P ractical education with many projects, cases, internships and study trips ✔ A fter graduating, get a job in the sector of your choice; business economists are in high demand (almost) everywhere ✔ P romising career perspectives in the Netherlands and abroad ✔ E arn your higher-education degree in 3 or 4 years or get an Associate degree in just two years ✔ L ecturers from the field: learn from the best! •

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TIO NEWS

Prizes for Tio's lecturers Handing out the Learning Awards By: Patrick Molenaar Head of Education and Quality Every year, each Tio campus gives an award to a lecturer who made an important contribution to the development of one or more subjects. This year's Learning Awards were handed out during the lecturers’ meetings. Congratulations to all the winners!

Eindhoven – Hans van de Ven A very pleasant and positive colleague. Over the past year, Hans worked tirelessly to help develop the Finance Week - and with success! Furthermore, Hans makes a significant positive contribution to the development of the Business Economics programme.

Utrecht – Eleonore Riksen Over the past few years, Eleonore has made an enormous contribution to the development and optimisation of the courses that make up the Finance & Accounting learning line. These are Eleonore's final months at Tio (since she is retiring soon) and with this award, we want to show our appreciation for all the hard work she has done.

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TIO NEWS

Rotterdam – Gea van der Spek Gea is a true event expert who helped elevate the Event Week to an even higher level last year.

Furthermore, Gea is always willing to help implement educational improvements and knows how to utilise her network to organise guest lectures and company visits.

Hengelo – Gebert Janssen It is high time for the champion of the event world to also receive a Tio Learning Award. Gebert has been dedicating himself to the courses of the Event learning line for years now. He thinks along and makes important contributions to development.

Amsterdam – Marion Ariens When you say ITM, you say Marion. Marion is fully dedicated to the ITM programme. She is involved in the development of the various courses and represents Tio at conventions and gatherings.

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TIO NEWS

“The tourism sector in Sierra Leone is ripe for a resurgence” Tourism student returns to his native soil after almost ten years for his final thesis project By: Dirk Schlüter, Campus journalist Tio Hengelo Tio student Reuben Coker (22), who studies at Tio Hengelo, recently returned to his native country of Sierra Leone in West Africa for the first time in almost ten years. He combined his visit to family with his final thesis project. In collaboration with the embassy in Brussels, Reuben is exploring ways to promote Sierra Leone as a tourism destination to target groups in the Netherlands.

Fleeing from Sierra Leone In 2001, Reuben's father fled the civil war in his country and came to the Netherlands. Reuben was sent to live with an aunt in the country, while his mother stayed behind in the capital of Freetown. In 2011, when Reuben was 12, the family was finally reunited in Enschede. A year later, his younger brother was born there.

Going to school in the Netherlands “We feel at home here and are thankful for the opportunities we have been given, especially after everything that happened in Sierra Leone,” Reuben explains. His father works as a businessman exporting second-hand cars to West Africa, while his mother works Reuben Coker

Cultural activity

at Zorgbureau Manna. After attending the language school De Globe and the eighth grade at elementary school De Triangel, Reuben earned his senior general secondary education diploma at the Bonhoeffer College in Enschede. Reuben: “Even in high school, I knew I wanted to choose a study programme in the field of tourism. That is how I ended up at Tio.” Final thesis project Reuben, who studies International Tourism Management, has since begun working on his final thesis project. In collaboration with the embassy in Brussels and his thesis supervisor, choosing a subject that has something to do with Sierra Leone was an obvious choice. Reuben: “The tourism sector has collapsed as a result of the civil war and the recent Ebola outbreak. However, Sierra Leone has a lot to offer. Think of amazing beaches, the capital of Freetown and the hinterlands with its scenic countryside and wildlife reservations.”

Returning to Sierra Leone Reuben returned to Sierra Leone and was driven around by his cousin. He spoke to directors of wildlife reservations and hotels and officials who are in charge of tourism. “It was easy to establish the right contacts. On top of that, it was very special to see my family again.

The country has changed and there is a lot more political stability these days. With my final thesis project, I can contribute to the country's ongoing development.

I appreciate this opportunity a lot. I believe the country's tourism sector is ripe for a resurgence.” •

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TIO UTRECHT

Students sit down with staff during SRM

The attendees during the student representatives’ meeting

By: Alex Greweldinger, Assistant campus manager Tio Utrecht In late January, it was once again time for the student representatives’ meetings (SRM) at Tio Utrecht.

There were three meetings: one for vocational-education students, one for first-year higher-education students and one for second-, third- and fourth-year higher-education students.

In the end, all three SRMs proved to be valuable discussions, during which a ton of issues were brought up, talked about and evaluated. Afterwards, it was time for the lecturers’ meeting. Divided into working groups, the lecturers reviewed the contents of Tio's courses, all while the tables were being set below. The evening ended with a cheese fondue dinner and a lot of fun. •

After the lecturers’ meeting , it was time to enjoy a delicious cheese fondue dinner together!

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TIO UTRECHT

Successful open day at Tio Utrecht By: Alex Greweldinger, Assistant campus manager Tio Utrecht In early February, it was time for the first open day of 2020 at Tio Utrecht. At 09:00 sharp, an excellent and enthusiastic team of students and lecturers was standing by. This resulted in a successful open day with a total of twenty-one new registrations. Thanks to everyone who helped out. We look forward to seeing you again during the next open day! •

Master class Players United By: Olga Boekhoorn, Campus journalist Tio Utrecht Guest lectures or master classes are perfect ways for students to take a look behind the scenes of a different world. This semester, students at Tio Utrecht will have many opportunities to learn more about how prominent businesses run their operations. One such occasion was the master class of Players United.

During this unique master class, a packed group of Tio students got to take a look behind the scenes of the football management agency. Community manager Ricardo Hemmen and managing director Youri van Rijswijk revealed all the ins and outs of their company and inspired the students to reach for the top themselves. Van Rijswijk, for example, once started out as an intern and gradually climbed the corporate ladder over the course of his career.

A day full of successes. Among other things, the day resulted in new brand activations for the 2020 European Championship and gave students the opportunity to apply for an internship/side job. Last but certainly not least: it inspired them to keep chasing their dreams! •

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TIO UTRECHT

Minor marketing communication part 1 in the pocket!

By: Alex Greweldinger, Assistant campus manager Tio Utrecht Students Zina Chénani and Maurits Munnig Schmidt successfully completed the first part of the minor marketing communication. Best of luck with part 2! •

Fascinating company visit By: Alex Greweldinger, Assistant campus manager Tio Utrecht This semester was once again packed with company visits. Some SRH students, for example, attended the Vakantiebeurs for the Events course and a class of HMA students visited several hotels. What better way to combine learning with practice? •

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TIO-NIEUWS

Tio in India By: Sophie de Weerdt, Staff member International Office In late January, a delegation from Tio flew to the enchanting country of India, where thick smog and aromatic garlands come together to form the eclectic urban life of Mumbai and Bangalore. The group visited a number of high schools to tell the students more about studying at Tio and about life in the Netherlands. These schools were as diverse as the streets outside. One school was like a fourteen-storey apartment building, while another looked like a posh estate.

Providing information to inte

rested Indian students

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TIO NEWS In between the school visits, the group had some time to risk life and limb, climb aboard a tuktuk and explore the city.

India is characterised by its traffic, which is as chaotic as it is effective. Doubledecker buses, cows, scooters, pedestrians, cyclists, taxis, tuktuks, trucks, goats and more: everything and everyone is trying to get from A to B as fast as possible. No one seemed to give right of way to anyone. In India, whoever is least afraid of getting their car dented or scratched and boldly throws themselves into the fray gets to go first.

Amidst this fascinating chaos, one cannot help but stare out the window with jaws agape. The welcoming and enthusiastic Indians themselves are as fascinating as their rules of the road. Unlike the bland welcome you get in the Netherlands with a cup of coffee and a stale biscuit if you're lucky - guests who flew all the way from the Netherlands to India are welcomed with fanfare, light ceremonies and blessings. Talk about hospitality!

When all those students from India start their studies in the Netherlands, we can all learn a lot from their hospitality skills! •

What's your online student life like?

Do you attend online classes, are you doing your minor or does your internship continue (at home)? Share your photos, stories or vlogs with v.mast@tio.nl!

Roept u maar!