210427 Tio Chat Year Special 2021-2022 ENG (web)

The life of a Tio student

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EXPLORE A YEAR AT TIO An academic year at Tio means a year full of educational projects, inspirational guest speakers and company visits, amazing internships and study trips and much, much more!

What do Tio students actually do during an academic year and what can you expect as a new student? By reading this Tio Chat Year Special, you can explore a year at Tio. Students can e.g. do internships in such amazing locations as New York, Bali and Taiwan, be inspired by masterclasses from e.g. Floortje Dessing or referee Björn Kuipers, party with the members of the student society Cognatio and give it your all during the various projects. Last but not least, there are the company visits to such awesome companies as Bol.com, G-Star and Rabobank!

I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Katinka Reuling, Managing Director

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A good start is half the work

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Project weeks: learning from practical experience 2.0!

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INSTAGRAM Are you curious about what Tio has in store for you during the upcoming academic year? Follow Tio (@hogeschooltio) on Instagram!

And: 16 Masterclasses 61 Trial study days at Tio 77 Tio at #1 in the Higher & Vocational Education Guides 80 NSE 2021: Students are very happy with Tio 100 Top internships at world-class companies

Tio annual party

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Career Event: working on your future

Colophon Tio Chat is a Tio University of Applied Sciences publication.

Hogeschool Tio St. Jacobsstraat 400 3511 BT Utrecht

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AUGUST

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Sunny introduction days in the Ardennes

We like to kick off the new academic year with special introduction days, for example in the Belgian Ardennes: three days full of activities such as mountain biking, canoeing and abseiling. Entertaining and exciting, but above all very fun. Friends for life are being made! •

The week in the Ardennes keeps you young.

Study coach

AUGUST

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I want this to go on all week!

IBM student Anton

My helmet is dripping with cold sweat!

HEM student Samantha (while climbing)

AUGUST

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Campuses welcome new Tio students After three awesome days in the Ardennes, it is time to introduce the first-year students to their new campus. During the Welcome Days, vocational and bachelor students alike are introduced to the school, their fellow students, the study coaches, the city, the student society and their future work field. Ready for the new academic year! •

Eindhoven After a warm welcome and an introductory speech, the first year students in Eindhoven are given a tour of the campus. Of course, there are plenty of traditional sausage rolls to go around! The second day is all about various company visits: Belvilla, Hotel Pullman and the PSV stadium.

A Tio hoodie for everyone!

Amsterdam In Amsterdam the new students receive a warm welcome by current Tio students, lecturers and staff. They get practical information, useful tips and get to know their lecturers. Then into the city for escape rooms, pub quizzes, a company visit to hotel Park Inn by Radisson and a closing drink with Cognatio.

Hengelo After a warm welcome, the students of Tio Hengelo visit the FC Twente stadium in Enschede for a tour and a business presentation. The next day, the students get to interview several Tio alumni - each of whom now runs their own business - and have drinks with the members of Cognatio.

AUGUSTUS

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Company visit at Rabobank

Utrecht The first-years also experience two fun and instructive days. They are introduced to staff and study coaches and are given a tour of the campus. The city of Utrecht itself is also explored: a tour of the canals, site visits to Tivoli Vredenburg or Rabobank and of course the favourite hangout of Cognatio!

Rotterdam In addition to receiving information about practical matters, the students of Tio Rotterdam also get to go on several awesome company visits. The new CBM students, for example, are given a tour of the showroom and workshop of the Porsche Centre.

Groningen The number 1 student city of the Netherlands is thoroughly explored during the Welcome Days. A boat trip with Cognatio on the canals, a site visit to FC Groningen and an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes at a fabulous new rooftop bar.

Students also hear all about flying cars and how to start your own business by enthusiastic Tio alumni.

AUGUST

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Off to a good start

An inspiring kick-off of the academic year The newest generation of Tio students takes part in an amazing kick off and enjoy a day full of fascinating guest lectures at convention centre and theatre De Reehorst in Ede. Several professionals from the field, such as travel expert Chris Zegers and Holland Casino CEO Erwin van Lambaart, inspire the students with their stories. We are underway: let the year begin! •

This is a very interesting day with all these guest speakers. You get more insight into the lives of professionals from the field. It has certainly paid off in spades.

Business student Michael

Sjoerd Weikamp Eventbranche.nl

Invest in your network.

Build contacts with people in the industry. Look for your future partners and start now.

AUGUST

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The work of a company lawyer is much more varied than I thought it would be. This kick-off promises well for the rest of the school year.

Law student Maurits

Erwin van Lambaart Holland Casino-CEO

To become successful, you must not be afraid to make mistakes.

Wonderful of Tio to organise an event such as this. It is interesting to hear first-hand experiences from the world of business; the speakers explain what things are really like in practice. That is very inspiring.

Hotel and Event Management student Rachel

I thought today was very interesting and educational. The stories of the guest speakers make you look at the field and the future in a different way.

Office Management student Isa

Chris Zegers Tv host and actor

It is okay if you do not have a ‘plan’ yet.

Explore the world, learn who you are and do whatever energises you. If you do that, everything is possible.

opera

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Campus tour!

What does a typical day on campus look like?

Take a look! •

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SEPTEMBER

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Roland Kahn

Masterclasses Every year, the various Tio campuses organise master classes for students. Passionate travel fanatics and energetic entrepreneurs inspire them with stories from the field, people like Olcay Gulsen, Rico Verhoeven and Victor Mids. A great opportunity for the students to ask questions, enter into discussions and learn a lot. These speakers have been to Tio previously! •

Rolf Schrama

Ron Simpson

Elske Doets

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Rico Verhoeven

Björn Kuipers

Victor Mids

André Kuipers

Olcay Gulsen

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Our international students visit Dutch hotspots We are proud of our beautiful Netherlands, and we love to show off our country to our international students.

We do this by tasting cheese at the Zaanse Schans, trying on clogs and taking pictures of historic houses, bridges and dikes. We visit the impressive De Haar castle and dive into its rich history or we go and see the masses of tulips and other flowers at the Keukenhof Gardens! Welcome to the Netherlands! •

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

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From Taiwan to Utrecht Born and raised in Taiwan, I Wen Chen feels privileged and proud to be the first student from the Providence University in Taiwan to come to The Netherlands.

When she was offered this opportunity, she did not have to think twice and she is very happy to be here: “I will certainly recommend Tio and The Netherlands to all my fellow students in Taiwan.”

Small classes Before coming to the Netherlands, she went to Great Britain twice to improve her English in order to be able to understand the classes. “The Tio classes are really small, which allows excellent communication between the lecturers and the other students.”

‘Lekker’ As a child I Wen enjoyed rock climbing, going out and enjoying nature and she has always liked to travel. While there is not much opportunity for rock climbing in Holland, she has gone on a few trips. “I went to visit some friends in Barcelona, which was nice, especially because I was able to talk in my own language while I was there.” She also went on the Tio wine trip recently. “My fellow Dutch students were very helpful with translating and explaining things to me.” She has not yet mastered the Dutch language, but thinks the Dutch food is really ‘lekker’. Living in a flat with three other exchange students makes this a truly international experience for her.

Recommend Tio In the future I Wen wants to keep studying tourism and she thinks the knowledge and skills she has acquired here will be a great asset to her. “I think the experience and education I received while over here will make a critical difference in my future and it has made me more independent.” I Wen likes the Dutch people and feels they are really open minded. She has made lots of friends in her short time here. “I will certainly recommend Tio to all my fellow students in Taiwan!” •

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SEPTEMBER

Summery beach party at Beachclub Bloomingdale Delicious drinks? Check. The beach at walking distance?

Check. Great music, fine friends and crazy dance moves?

Check. What better way to start the new academic year than with one of student society Cognatio’s legendary beach parties? This fantastic party at Beachclub Bloomingdale makes everyone believe - if only for a moment - that it is still summer. •

Mr. Bermuda

De Rubberen Schuimboten

SEPTEMBER

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Joris Geurtsen Childsplay

K-Liber

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OCTOBER

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Students get to have their say!

What is going well at Tio and what can be improved? Twice a year, the answers to those questions are discussed during the student representatives’ meetings. Student representatives from all Tio study programmes and campuses sit down with the director and campus managers to discuss a wide range of topics. What does such a meeting look like? At each campus, all kinds of themes are discussed. Think of a more extensive and healthier menu in the canteen, more study areas and the standardisation of the internship assessment. But also improving education and improving facilities at the campus. Most points are picked up immediately, which is much appreciated by the students. •

Top performances during the Tio Lympics Tio students get the chance to compete against their fellow students in a real Olympic stadium during the Tio Lympics! In various disciplines, students take on their fellows from other Tio campuses. The winners are honoured by a real former Olympic athlete, for example by Lidewij Welten or Marianne Timmer.

Like the real Olympics, the Tio Lympics are officially opened by lighting the Olympic flame. The programme consists of several disciplines: from bounceball to athletics and a tug-of-war. The students prove themselves to be highly competitive athletes whose only goal is to win! •

OKTOBER

Successful graduation ceremonies Hooray! These past weeks, a ton of Tio students manage to obtain their foundation certificate, vocational diploma or bachelor’s degree. Time to celebrate! At their own campus, the students are getting their moment in the spotlight and getting overwhelmed with heartfelt speeches, brief anecdotes, warm congratulations and pictures. Last but not least, they get the degree they worked so hard for. You’ve earned it! •

Tio’s Education Committee safeguards quality of education Tio’s Education Committee gathers twice a year in Utrecht. About fifty students get to take part in the discussion about Tio’s education, marketing and IT. In this committee, students from all Tio study programmes and campuses provide input on Tio’s policies. The goal is to improve Tio’s education even further. •

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Work your ass off

OCTOBER

Floortje Dessing and Chris Zegers inspire students during masterclass An inspiring start for tourism students with a very special masterclass. On stage Chris Zegers interviews none other than travel show host and producer Floortje Dessing!

Both Floortje and Chris took quite a few detours in life before finally getting jobs as travel show hosts, they said.

How did they ultimately achieve their goal? “It is all about following your dreams,” Chris said. Floortje added: “If you really want something, go for it and work your ass off!”

Floortje has another valuable tip for students: “While travelling, always keep your eyes open for other countries, cultures and people. We have gotten so used to our wealth and tend to forget that a very large part of the world’s population is not as fortunate as we are. Keep an open mind and care for other people around you. If we all do that, we can make the world a better place together.” •

OCTOBER

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“Would I recommend Tio to other parents? Absolutely!”

As a parent, you want your child to feel at home during their study. Do parents recommend studying at Tio to other parents? Angela: “Délano has grown enormously since he studies at Tio. I am very proud of him.” Mother Jeannette is also enthusiastic: “It’s a shame I didn’t follow such a study at Tio myself.”

Ambitions and achievements on stage “I am very happy with how Tio works,” says Angela, Délano’s mother. Délano studies Hotel and Event Management. “It feels really good, I like that. Everything is well organised at school; I would absolutely recommend Tio to other parents. I remember when we were at the Tio open day and a Tio student on the stage told us what he had already achieved during his studies. I remember thinking: what a clever boy.” Angela has to laugh. “And now Delano would be able to stand on that stage with his ambitions and achievements. So nice, I’m very proud of him!”

‘We can see her growing’ “Nancy is performing above expectations”, parent René tells proudly. His daughter Nancy is stuyding International Tourism Management at Tio in Amsterdam. René: “Particularly since she has to fund her study herself and is therefore highly motivated to make the utmost of it. It is wonderful to see her commitment and then to see her being rewarded with great grades and the option of attending additional classes. We can see her growing.

Nancy has become very independent and is capable of looking after herself in a strange city where they speak a foreign language. Now she is going to Los Angeles for her internship, what an adventure!”

Great atmosphere and small-scale Jeanette’s two daughters are studying Hotel and Event Management at Tio and she often hears the stories recounted at home. “There is just a really good atmosphere at Tio, you can’t compare it with other applied sciences universities”, says Jeanette. “We noticed the difference when we visited the open days at other universities. The great atmosphere and the small size of Tio has meant the girls are just really happy there. I would definitely recommend Tio to other parents. Absolutely!” •

Succesful parent information evening An extensive programme in Hengelo for the second parent information evening of the year. In addition to the 10 minute conversations between parents, students and one of the study coaches, parents and students can find out more about moving on to the next academic year or further educate yourself at Tio, going on an internship abroad, the various minors and everything concerning graduation.

It was a well-attended evening, which was much appreciated. Some quotes from the feedback:

We really liked the friendly atmosphere and professional feel of the parent information evening

Good to be able to speak to more of the lecturers

It was an informative and enjoyable evening

Excellent, concise presentations

Great topics to hear more about

OCTOBER

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Customized study programme: a sports or music career alongside your degree or additional help for dyslexia Do you want to combine getting your degree with a career in sport or in music? At Tio there is room to do both at once! Racing driver Glenn van Berlo explains: “If I don’t understand something because I was away for training or a race, all I need to do is send an e-mail and I will get additional support or help.”

The freedom to make your own choices Racing driver Glenn is combining his career as a top athlete with a degree at Tio. “Tio is very accommodating about top-class sport”, Glenn explains. “My study schedule is drawn up to fit perfectly with my training schedule. In addition, I am to some extent free to do my own planning and to make some of my own choices, for instance when planning assignments or tests. The staff at Tio are understanding about my status as a top-class sportsman and are very flexible in the way they teach me.”

Additional time with proper consultation Félice Holsink is studying Commercial Business Management. At Tio, they don’t just work with her dyslexia, but also with her career as a violinist at a high level. “When agreed in consultation, I can be given extra time at home to practise for a concert or a competition. I think that’s fantastic”, Félice says.

Adjusted schedule Top athlete Vero Nater is also very happy to be able to continue skating at a high level alongside his programme.

“Initially I thought you can’t combine top-class sport with an applied sciences programme and I had prepared myself for last year being my final academic year”, Vero Nater, Hotel and Event Management student, explains.

“Fortunately, Tio was open to sports next to school. They have adjusted my schedule so I can continue to go to my ice training sessions.” •

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NOVEMBER

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Project weeks: learning from practical experience 2.0!

How to run a hotel business successfully? How to create an event concept that stands out? How to convince investors to invest in startups? How to pitch like a pro? The Tio students learn all these things, and much more, during the project weeks. The perfect opportunity to spend one week putting all of their knowledge into practice with their fellow students. If you want to find out how they did it, keep reading!

Hotel and Event Week After eleven weeks of preparation, Tio students finally get to open the doors of their own hotels during the Hotel and Event Week. Five Stayokay hostels across the Netherlands have been turned into star hotels and are managed entirely by students of the Hotel Management (HMA) and Hotel and Event Management (HEM) programmes. The week included tons of fun activities, excited guests, attention from local media and packed restaurants. Let’s take a peek!

These students are absolutely wonderful! Of course, things go wrong in the hotel from time to time, but they do their very best to resolve the issue quickly. That is an important lesson to learn: always make sure everyone knows what is going on.

Tio Royale Haarlem

Tio lecturer Ella Smith

The first day was a bit of a shock; we had to set up everything very quickly, test systems and open the doors. Luckily, it is all going very well now and we are having a great time.

Student Liz

Bohemian Bliss Apeldoorn

As bar manager, I supervise the bar staff and keep an eye on everything: is it time to replace the beer keg, do we have to order more wine yet? It is a lot of work, but also a ton of fun!

Student Marleen

NOVEMBER

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The Arabian Heeg I mainly worked in the restaurant, which was very educational. It was a great experience to take care of our guests’ every need!

Student Nienke

Together with my team, I am in charge of the budget and make sure the contents of the registers are recorded and accounted for. This job requires a great deal of precision. It is amazing to have the opportunity to run a real hotel together!

Student Lucas

Art hotel Àdroit Bergen op Zoom It is going well: the hotel is fully booked both tomorrow and the day after. What I love most about Tio’s Hotel and Event Week is that you get to experience what working in this industry is really like.

You learn so much in such a short time.

Student Mika

We had a wonderful time here! Our stay at the hotel was very pleasant.

The food was great and we were well taken care of. It was great fun to stay in this hotel. The students are doing a fantastic job!

Guests Rob and Andrea from Zwolle

I am having the time of my life here!

Student Nina

We attracted many sponsors. For example, we made a deal with Jumbo supermarkets to get a 50% discount on everything and Bavaria is supplying our beer.

Student Cato

Château Noordwijk Arnhem

NOVEMBER

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Event week How can you set up the customer journey for The Next Event in a way that guarantees more visitors will come to the event? That is the question Tio’s second year students of Hotel and Event Management (HEM) will try to answer during the Event Week. Throughout the week, which will be organised in collaboration with EventBranche, the students will be assisted by professionals from the industry who will give them invaluable practical tips.

The fact that the students know how to handle this challenging case becomes clear during the exciting finale in Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht. With powerful pitches, students from all six Tio campuses compete to see who can persuade the judges. As the thirty-seven teams present their original ideas and convincing presentations, their promising concepts raise the bar sky high!

This week is a great opportunity to acquire some entirely new insights about events.

Student Noek

I am very proud of what the students achieved.

They seem to be getting better year after year!

Tio lecturer Gebert Jansen

NOVEMBER

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Everyone worked together very well and very hard. I think we have a real chance of earning a high score.

Tio lecturer Gea van der Spek

We are so excited that we won! The other teams’ ideas were excellent as well, of course. We believe we stood out because of our use of augmented reality. As the week went on, we started to believe in this idea more and more.

Students of the winning team

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Stocks & Bonds and Trading Securities There is hardly a more fitting location for the finale of the Stocks & Bonds and Trading Securities projects for the International Business Students (IBM). The finalists from different study programmes and campuses get to compete against each other in the Rabotoren in Utrecht. Stocks, investments, bonds, options and securities: the participating students know all the ins and outs of the stock market!

NOVEMBER

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Within your rights During the project week ‘Within your Rights’, Law students (HRE) will be working on a real criminal case.

Students in the role of Public Prosecutor will bring a charge and formulate an indictment (what they are going to say during the trial). Students in the role of lawyers will prepare a plea. In the nail-biting finale at the end of the week they will battle it out against each other in a moot court: a training trial.

Who will win the case?

NOVEMBER

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E-commerce week What is the most effective way for fashion brand G-Star to communicate with consumers from other countries and cultures? During the E-commerce week, the second-year students of Commerce Entrepeneurship and Organisations (CEO) get to tackle this challenging case.

Brimming with excitement, the students get to work on the case. After an inspirational company visit to G-Star, which includes a tour and business presentations, they are off to the races. During the exciting finale in Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht, it becomes clear just how hard the students had worked. The judges have their work cut out for them after listening to the students’ original ideas and professional presentations.

The winning recommendation came from team Southern Europe! They opted to introduce a different fit in Spain (after all, Spaniards have a different build from Dutch people), focused more on emotions in countries like Italy and used a rapper in France.

NOVEMBER

TBI Boot Camp How can we get more out of member benefits? To answer that question, ANWB Reizen brings in the help of Tio students: during the five-day Tourism Business Innovation boot camp, Tio’s second-year students of International Tourism Management (ITM) immerse themselves into the world of tourism innovation.

The project week is entirely dedicated to learning by doing.

The assignment: develop a member benefit concept for the products of ANWB Reizen that makes members feel valued and which will also attract new members. During a tense finale on the last day of the project, held in Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht, it becomes clear just how many excellent and creative ideas the students have come up with. The best idea ultimately comes from students from Tio Amsterdam and Tio Utrecht. They came up with a plan to reward members for the activities they undertake with ANWB Reizen: members collect footsteps using a wander coin.

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Sales week Things get exciting during the finale of the Sales week.

In Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht, the students of Commerce Entrepreneurship & Organisations (CEO), Commercial Business Management (CBM) and International Business Management (IBM) deliver their finest pitches and engage in fierce debates. The judges are impressed!

Every aspect of the sales business is covered during inspirational and practical training sessions. The pitching, debating and sales finalists from all six Tio campuses compete against each other during the finale, where each student shows off their well-honed sales skills. How do they do it? The pitching finalists are given one minute to persuade the judges with their pitch, the debating finalists take part in a debate and the sales finalists compete against each other behind closed doors during exciting sales meetings.

It is great that Tio organises a project week like this for its students. When you embark on your professional career, you will be one step ahead of everyone else as a Tio student.

CEO-Student Emma

It was a close call, there was so much talent on display! It is amazing to see what the students can achieve and how much they can learn by focusing on sales for an entire week.

Members of the jury during the finale

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I have never seen a school set up a project week on this scale before!

Debating trainer Jan-Pjotr Komen (DebatUnie)

I am so thrilled to have won! Sales is definitely my cup of tea, but the other finalists did not make it easy for me at all.

I learned so much this past week. It was very special and I was truly able to bring out the best in myself!

IBM student and winner Eveline

The pitching, debating and sales training sessions that we took part in this week were very exciting. They tied in very well with the rest of our study programme and we learned how to put theory into practice. I found it to be very educational!

CEO student Romanie

Minor Sales Make sure the British energy drink Tenzing gets off to a flying start on the Dutch market! That was the assignment given to students of the Minor Sales. Eight finalists competed against each other in the finale.

In the end, students from Tio Amsterdam were chosen as the winners. Their thorough plan and attention to detail gave them the edge they needed to win, said the judges.

NOVEMBER

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Finance week Give ambitious Tio business students a day full of inspirational lectures and practical masterclasses and they will eagerly seize any challenge with both hands.

During the kick-off of the Finance week in Pathé Leidsche Rijn, the case the second-year students of International Business Management will be working on will be revealed: develop a pitch deck to bring in investors for an existing tech startup.

Because the students are working together with real businesses, the learning effect is incredibly strong. The students learn what it takes to launch your own company and search for investors. This Finance week is a fantastic tool for students who want to start their own business after graduating.

Tio Lecturer Hans van de Ven

The bar is raised high during this first-ever Finance week.

The business students get to work with real companies. In just five days, the groups of students have to go on company visits, gather relevant information, develop an investor pitch deck and present their pitch to an audience of real investors during the finale in Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht. The stakes are high, because the teams are competing for a cash prize of €750! The students of the MindMansion team are victorious: they use VR technology to help people overcome their anxiety disorders. •

Share your entrepreneurial ideas with others, listen to criticism and use the feedback you receive. And don’t wait. Just do it!

Entrepreneur Ronald Kouvelt (who managed to turn his startup into a multi-million-euro company) during his masterclass

NOVEMBER

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I have some concrete ideas for my own business, this Finance week is incredibly useful for me.

It is so cool to be working with a real startup.

During a project like this, you learn to work together in a professional manner. Everyone has to give it their all and do what they do best.

IBM student Sem

IBM student Boy

I believe we won because we kept our pitch short and concise to make it clear to investors what we need. It is incredible to win this prize!

IBM student Brent, member of the winning team

We learned to think strategically and look at a tech company from the perspective of an investor. It was a very interesting week; the fact that you are dealing with a real company makes it all the more educational and fun!

IBM student Laure

NOVEMBER

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The world at their feet During a study trip, Tio students visit (A-class) companies. To learn from experts in the field, to conduct case studies and to become more acquainted with the international field. From Prague to Lisbon: Tio students can be found all over Europe. Several tourism students have also designed their study trip from A to Z and are allowed to implement it themselves. Learning from practice! Watch the fantastic films from the study trips on page 102. •

Belgrade ITM

Latvia IBM

NOVEMBER

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Tallinn CEO

Lisbon ITM

Vienna ITM

Prague HEM

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Team building in Winterberg Tio’s first-year vocational-education students get to go on an adventurous trip to Winterberg, Germany.

For the students the three-day trip was all about awesome team-building exercises, including GPS excursions, go-karting and hiking in nature. Of course, there was also plenty of time for celebrations in the evenings. •

We have fun, which is what it is all about, right?

Student Sanne

Really enjoyable, great atmosphere, you meet people from all the programmes and you make great friends.

Student Eva

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I would happily stay another week.

Student Remco

Working together.

That’s what I’ve learned.

Student Bruno

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DECEMBER

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Masterclass by senior consultant Eurovision Song Contest Ruurd Bierman Event Management lecturer Gea van der Spek is quizzing Ruurd about organising the largest live event on Earth, the Eurovision Song Contest. Fun, interesting, complicated and educational, according to the students’ feedback.

When it looked like Duncan Laurence would win the Eurovision Song Contest with Arcade, panic broke out in broadcasting land. There had to be a plan as soon as possible, just in case. And whether Bierman wanted to do that. “A complicated job,” he says. “It is a complex event.

And since it is 45 years ago that the Netherlands won the Eurovision Song Contest, there was little knowledge available. You have to deal with all kinds of parties (EBU, NPO, Avro/Tros, the government, Rotterdam) and there is the big question: how are you going to finance the 26 million Euro it costs?”

Students are curious to find out how sustainability is consciously incorporated into the organisation. “That is an important issue, but difficult to achieve. Just think

about the generators running for weeks on end, and about all the flights. We do really want to change the catering, we want to move away from fast good, plastics and energy waste during preparation. The problem is that sustainability is not the top priority. Top priorities initially were finance and location. On the other hand, our current head quarters in Hilversum have been built entirely from temporary and waste materials, such as scrap timber.”

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

The night is not over yet, though. Student society Cognatio hosts a karaoke night. Together with a few others, Bierman is up first. Their song of choice is, you guessed it, Duncan’s Arcade! •

DECEMBER

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The catchbox allows students to ask questions.

It’s time for karaoke

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Exams incoming In December, it is once again time for exams, which means students have to get to work. Together or alone, they are studying as hard as they can! •

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

Happy new year!

Our Tio students from all over the world wish you a happy new year.

Curious about their festive Christmas greeting? You can watch the video via the QR code! •

CHECK THIS

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JANUARI

Wintery welcome for international students We are happy with our international students. That is why we like to give them a warm welcome, especially in the middle of winter. The morning starts with an informative morning at the campus, including a tour, student web explanation and Blackboard tips. Then we step on the ice to show what we got. A pleasant afternoon full of stroopwafels, ice skating and Dutch snacks. •

JANUARY

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JANUARY

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Tio annual party!

The student society Cognatio organises the student party every year, and with great success!

The halls of the venue Melkweg are filled with the colours of Tio and Cognatio. In no time, the Melkweg was completely turned upside down. Thanks to Lukas Vane, Lady Bee, Jonna Fraser, Chocolate Puma, LNY TNZ and all the students present, it was a party to remember! •

Jonna Fraser

JANUARY

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Snollebollekes

Sjaak

Jonna Fraser

Freddy Moreira

LNY TNZ

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Introducing a flying car to the market Flying cars: if you think they belong to the distant future, think again. The first models may be in use sooner than you had imagined. Tio student Boy Masius is doing his internship with the first company in the world aiming to market flying cars: PAL-V. Boy: “Super cool to be working for such an internationally well-known company and to contribute to a totally new product like a flying car.”

The idea behind the flying car is simple: you drive to an airport, you take off, fly to another airport and from there continue driving it on the road to your destination. The car will have a propellor and foldable rotor blades. The Dutch company PAL-V International B.V. has already sold the first flying cars and they are nearly ready to be used. It is just a matter of passing the final inspection. So don’t be surprised if you are overtaken by a flying car on the public road very soon!

Tapping into a new market “Being part of producing a totally new product is really cool”, Boy continues enthusiastically. “And it is very special to be asked to create a completely new market, it’s not something that happens very often. It is very instructive to see it all unfold before your eyes, including everything connected to building the actual flying cars, tests, inspections, certifications and aerospace requirements that need to be met. It is super interesting.”

Who would be interested in a flying car?

“A flying car is a totally new product, which means you are dealing with a new market”, Boy explains. Boy is doing his internship in the Marketing and Sales Department of PAL-V. “But who exactly are our customers? And what are their motivations? I have researched precisely that: our buyer personas. It is a very specific target group: not many people will be able to afford a flying car. So I ran surveys, held interviews and studied customer data. I will present my findings to the management.”

Best business training Boy knows what he wants and what is required to get there. Tio’s International Business Management (IBM) matches his ambitions perfectly. He explains his choice.

“It is the best business programme in the Netherlands and that opens doors. It looks great on your CV. The practical training at Tio is an excellent way to prepare for the world of work. In addition, Tio lecturers have a lot of practical experience. It is really cool, for instance, to be taught by Marketing Consultant Peter de Lange, of the Rolo elephant commercial!” •

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Trial study days at Tio During a trial day you get good insight into your intended programme. Mark initially came to Tio for a trial day and enjoyed it so much that he registered. Now as a student Hotel and Event Management he regularly shows other trial students around. Mark: “It’s fun to give school pupils a glimpse of our university.”

“I chose Tio at the time, because it is small scale and able to give students a lot of personal attention”, Mark says.

“Because of its small scale, most students know each other and there is a great convivial atmosphere. In addition, Tio is known as one of the best private applied sciences universities in the Netherlands.”

Sampling the atmosphere Before Mark made Tio his definite choice, he came and did a trial day. “I followed a trial day in Hotel and Event Management and this gave me a clear picture of how the study was taught at Tio and of the study material itself. The day gave me an accurate impression of the university and what it would feel like to be there.”

A clear impression of the classes Student Laura also attended a trial day at Tio: “I really enjoyed the open day and it gave me a good impression of the university and the study. I then came for a trial day and that was a positive experience, too. I was offered a number of different classes throughout the day in order to really get a feel for the study. After that I knew this was the place for me.” •

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“Do what you enjoy most”

And other inspiring lessons by Ramon Beuk during a master class at Tio Entrepreneur, presenter, author and (television) chef Roman Beuk gives students at Tio Eindhoven ‘a glimpse into the kitchen’ of his career at a masterclass. He talks about how his passion for creating things - from culinary concepts to business concepts - runs through his life like a central theme. Ramon: “Developing and creating things is the most beautiful thing you can do. Creating, sharing and receiving back (joy).”

The masterclass in Eindhoven is exclusive to Tio students and alumni and attracts a great deal of interest. Ramon recounts in colourful detail his ambitions and how they got him to where he is now. An exciting story about discovering what you enjoy most and then to just go out and do it.

How it all started “When I was little, I always wanted to do what my mother was doing. And she is a great cook”, Ramon explains. He decided to train to be a chef and started his career. But once he was working in a kitchen, busy preparing food day in day out, he realised he was not happy. There was some-thing missing. “I started to think. What do I want?

And in particular, why? My mother didn’t just cook, she created something, she shared something and received some-thing in return: joy. That is what I wanted. I wanted to be close to people, not just be invisible in the kitchen.”

From TV chef to restaurant owner Once Ramon realised what he really wanted, there was no stopping him. He decided to study Pedagogy and Marketing, which enabled him to combine his passion for creating with direct contact with people. “For instance, I started working as a chef at the tv show Koffietijd, opened an events bureau, a cookery school, a restaurant and I wrote cook books. I just love developing things.

Creating unique things and sharing them with people.”

Secret Project And after every project, Ramon is always asked: So what will you do next? “I am going to do what I enjoy”, is Ramon’s unvariable answer to this question. “Developing and creating is the greatest thing there is.” There is no lack of inspiration, because he already got stuck into the next project. Although the project is still strictly under wraps - and can therefore not yet be discussed in the media - Ramon’s enthusiasm allows him to lift just the tip of the veil for his curious audience.

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Instructive lesson: remain true to yourself Ramon is able to inspire his audience with his story.

“Super informative”, Marketing student Jean says. “I admire how he has approached things in his career. What have I learned? That you should stay true to yourself in what you do. This was the first Tio masterclass I have attended, but I will definitely come to more of them.”

Tourism students Olivia, Vivian and Babette are equally impressed. “An instructive and interactive story about staying true to yourself. This was definitely one of the best speakers!”

Ramon in turn is just as enthusiastic about the students.

Before a rapturous applause, he concludes the masterclass with the following words: “You were definitely the best audience I’ve had!” •

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There are a lot of interesting companies present today. Right now I’m having my picture taken for my LinkedIn profile. It’s also possible to make a digital video CV or to fine-tune your resume. After today you’re ready to apply!

CBM student Jan-Willem

Networking and looking for dream internships

The Career Expo with 150 companies

Career Event: working on your future January will see the Tio Career Event. Guest speakers and businesses from the industry will inspire students for their courses and internships. After one of these days students return to the remainder of their study, internship and their career full of new inspiration and in possession of new contacts.

Internship and graduation companies are very happy with Tio students The internship and graduation companies that partner with Tio are very happy about Tio students. This is shown by a survey held at those companies. Nearly 300 internship companies completed the survey about bachelor students.

Tio students score particularly well in their ability to perform: 91% of internship companies are (very) satisfied about the performance of Tio students. Vocational

students also score well with the internship companies: of the 124 companies who completed the survey about vocational students, 81% say they are (very) satisfied.

Graduation companies are satisfied, too: in their evaluation of the student and the thesis research, the companies indicate that they are very satisfied about the added value of the research and the analytical abilities, independence and professional attitude of the students. A great result to be proud of! •

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For Tio to organise something like this is truly unique; I don’t believe any other university of applied sciences does this. You can also see just how large Tio’s network is. It’s awesome to see so many businesses here!

Student Job

Twan Huys

Atilay Uslu

Tv-presentator

Today’s Career Event was organised very well.

Make-a-Wish offers a wide range of internship positions for students. Interns can learn a lot at our company and we give them a ton of responsibilities.

CEO Corendon

Akkemee (Make-a-Wish)

Ynzo van Zanten Chief Evangelist Tony’s Chocolonely Twan Huys in interview with Corendon-CEO Atilay Uslu

It was very inspiring to hear how Tony’s Chocolonely strives to produce 100% slave-free chocolate. I also hope to be inspired at today’s Career Event; there are so many big companies here. I love it!

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This is the largest internship event I have ever seen! I think it’s great. We have already met with quite a few interested students at our stand and even received some CVs. Melissa (Soho House)

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Cognatio heads for the snow

Cognatio’s skiing trip is just like the introduction days in the Ardennes for our first-year Tio students: you leave as a group of strangers and you return as one big, close-knit Cognatio family.

Student society Cognatio organises many refreshing activities, such as going on winter sports together!

Friendships and unforgettable memories are formed between the students of the various Tio campuses. Always a very successful party in the snowy mountains. •

I am missing carnival for these unforgettable ten days of skiing with Cognatio!

Amsterdam

Students sit down with staff Eindhoven

In February, student representatives from various study programmes, years and campuses get together for the second time this year for the student representatives’ meetings (SRM). They proved to be fruitful discussions, during which the students, campus managers and Tio’s director bring up, discuss and evaluate a great many issues.

From the exam schedule to the number of power outlets per classroom, from the temperature inside the classrooms to the foosball table and from TOPdesk to an empty vending machine: nothing is left unspoken. Tio will start making the necessary improvements as soon as possible! •

Hengelo

Rotterdam

Utrecht

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A glimpse behind the scenes on company visits Tio students go on company visits all year round. These might include visits to Waldorf Astoria Hotel, E&R Classics, Vesting Finance or Bavaria.

During company visits, the students will see presentations by managers and glimpses behind the scenes. •

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Winners year in and year out Tio students do not shirk a bit of competition. Every year, Tio students enter the various student competitions. Below you see several prize winners. Melissa van Rooij’s story is on page 98. •

Lotus van Cooten Travel Talent 2019

Donné Verhoef TUI-CELTH Sustainable 9 Tourism Thesis Award 201

ting, Merel Wensink, Jessica Hendriks, Li Ye Eef xime Voorthuijsen Kevin van der Sloot and Ma 9 201 p EMCu

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Festive graduation ceremonies In February, many Tio students have cause for celebration. They get to receive their well-earned propaedeutic certificate, vocational diploma or bachelor’s degree! During the ceremonies at all Tio campuses, there are speeches for the students, brief reflections on their time as Tio students, heartfelt congratulations and - of course - the diploma they worked so hard for. Here’s to you! •

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“Putting together a schedule can be like solving a Rubik’s Cube” Tio Assistant Campus Manager Nadja talks about her work As an Assistant Campus Manager for Tio Rotterdam, Nadja Hilderink resembles a spider in its web.

From student affairs to organising campus activities and from responsibility for reception to arranging logistics, she does it all. But what’s the biggest challenge in her role? Undoubtedly scheduling. Nadja: “It’s lucky I love puzzles!”

The activities of an Assistant Campus Manager My main tasks are in principle scheduling and student affairs”, Nadja says. “My fellow Assistant Campus Manager is responsible for events. But many tasks run into each other, we are always helping each other where necessary.”

Personal student contact Nadja really enjoys her personal contact with students.

“Previous to this role, I worked at Tio as a lecturer, mainly teaching Tourism classes, working with some of the students. Now, in this role as Assistant Campus Manager, I get to know all the students, quite often this will be fairly intensive contact, which is really fun. The same with the lecturers, by the way.”

“Because Tio is so small-scale”, Nadja continues, “I will know many students by face and name. The small size and personal nature of Tio is appreciated by the students as well as by us, the staff.”

From exam timetable to lesson timetable One of the biggest challenges in Nadja’s role is timetabling. “Twice a year I draw up all the course schedules for students and staff of Tio Rotterdam. In addition, I put

together the exam timetables five times per year, which are supracampus, in other words for all campuses together”, Nadja explains. She laughs: “But it’s the course schedules that are the biggest job every time”.

One thousand teaching hours into one schedule “You are talking about around 1,000 teaching hours, approx. 350 students and 65 staff, who each have their personal preferences”, Nadja explains. “You are dealing with so many different factors: the availability of lecturers, combinations of classes, variations in elective courses, students with difference language competence levels, minors, several enrollment times during the year, etcetera.”

A complicated puzzle Not an easy job, in other words! “Absolutely not. We always get there in the end, but it’s a big job each term.

The aim is to arrive at a schedule that is as tight as possible, with as few in-between periods as possible, a maximum of five per week. You are dealing with so many factors, which makes it really complicated. It is a puzzle every time”, Nadja concludes. She winks: “Mind you, not a jigsaw puzzle, but a Rubik’s Cube!” •

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Students provide input on Tio’s policies In March, Tio’s Education Committee gathers for the second time this academic year. This central education committee gives students from all Tio campuses the opportunity to advise Tio’s management and directors about ways to improve its education even further. Among the topics discussed this time were social media, the study guide, the honours programme and the MyTio App. •

The MyTio App

Further educate yourself within Tio? Definitely!

It was always her dream to run her own hotel. When Tio student Melanie Moesman completed her intermediate vocational course in Stewardess Receptionist Hostess (SRH) with distinction, she decided to pursue that dream. She continued her education with the bachelor programme Hotel and Event Management (HEM) and is really happy there. Melanie: “I would definitely recommend it to other students. The move up has worked really well for me.”

Graduating and further education Melanie Moesman did the vocational programme SRH in Eindhoven. “I’ve always wanted to run my own hotel”, Melanie explains enthusiastically. “But because I had to work very hard to get my secondary school diploma, I wasn’t sure whether I could manage a bachelor degree course. Aviation also appealed and that’s why I decided to follow the fligh attendant programme at Tio.” Melanie turned out to be quite a talent and was able to conclude the accelerated programme last year with a great grades. “When I graduated with a distinction, I had built up enough confidence to enroll for the bachelor programme Hotel and Event Management and I am really enjoying it! The teachers have practical experience and know a lot about the latest trends and developments.

This makes it extra fun and interesting!”

From vocational education to bachelor The transition from vocational to bachelor was easier than

expected. “I realised quite quickly that there is much more theory involved with a bachelor programme than with vocational. I also noticed a difference in the material taught, but after the first exam week, I felt it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. I would definitely recommend moving on to a bachelor programme to any other students who are considering it. For one thing, your student days are the best time of your life. And in addition, a good education gives you better chances in the business world. So it’s a win-win!”

From dreams to action “For me it was absolutely the right decision to come to Tio”, Melanie says. “It is a small-scale, personal institution. Everyone knows each other and there is a great atmosphere. The lecturers come from the real world and provide enjoyable lessons. I also like the fact that Tio in Eindhoven is quite central.” Starting the course of Hotel and Event Management means Melanie’s dream is getting closer all the time. •

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NSS 2021: Students very happy with Tio Tio once again earns top marks in the National Student Survey Every year, bachelor and scientific education students in the Netherlands are invited to complete the National Student Survey (NSS). The outcome of the 2021 survey is now known, and we are incredibly proud, because once again, the bachelor programmes at the various University of Applied Sciences campuses of Tio score extremely high. The personal eductional touch, the strong link with professional practice, teachers with a background in the industry and the excellent atmosphere come to the fore in the survey results.

For University of Applied Sciences Tio, the NSS is an important yardstick for the quality of the education at our campuses. Our students evaluate their education generally as good to very good, with an average score of 4 on a scale of 5.

Small-scale and a personal education The Tio studies are run on a small scale - students are taught in small classes of on average no more than twelve students.

Lecturers will know the students by name and there is a lot of personal contact. That is what gives a Tio education its personal character, which is much appreciated by students.

They generally score teaching at 4 out of 5.

Taught by lecturers from the industry Tio lecturers are highly practically experienced in their field and prepare the students well for their professional practice. This is shown by the scores in the NSS: students evaluate their lecturers’ knowledge of professional practice at 4.5, their content expertise at 4.3 and their availability for questions at 4.2. Because the lecturers still have one foot in professional practice, they pass up-to-

date knowledge on to the students. This means that for the link between the course and current developments, students score Tio at 4.2.

A good atmosphere Finally, the great atmosphere at Tio stands out in the survey results. Most programmes and campuses still scored between 4 and 4.6. The Commerce Entrepreneurship and Organisations students at Tio Hengelo score the atmosphere at a whopping 4.9!

Tio believes in continuous improvement At Tio, we work extremely hard to make sure our students are happy. We appreciate their enthusiasm and honesty, and want to thank them very much for their participation in this survey. •

The NSS is carried out under the auspices of Studiekeuze 123.

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2021 Higher Education Guide: Tio is the best small University of Applied Sciences Tio leads the field for the tenth year in a row Tio University of Applied Sciences has been declared the best small University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands by the 2021 Higher Education Guide. This Guide provides independent advice and assesses and compares the quality of over 1,100 higher education programmes. Tio has the highest score of all Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and all four of its assessed higher education programmes are at number one, which makes Tio the proud provider of the best courses in the Netherlands for the tenth year in a row.

Best Hotel School The Tio programme of Hotel and Event Management scores a magnificent 93 points (out of 100) for a shared first place, jointly leading the field for the seventh year in a row.

Tio student Annouk van Bentem is enthusiastic: “I am really enjoying the programme. Tio is small and personal. In addition, the teachers are all drawn from the industry, which means theoretical knowledge is always linked to personal stories. This means it’s extra interesting!”

Best programme The Tio programme of International Business Management scores 90 points and is the best within its field for the seventh year in a row. The programme of Commerce Entrepreneurship and Organisations at Tio is number one in its field for the fifth year in a row. Within the subject of Tourism as well, the Tio programme of International Tourism Management scores highest by far. Its 86 points position the course in first place for the tenth year in a row. • Source: 2021 Higher Education Guide

2021 Vocational Education Guide: Tio leads once again The vocational programmes by Tio lead the 2021 Vocational Education Guide once again and have been declared the best programme for the seventh year running! The programme of Commercial Business Management at University of Applied Sciences Tio has even been declared the best vocational education programme within its field. The Guide provides independent advice and assesses and compares the quality of over 450 vocational educational programmes in the Netherlands.

Top business programmes The results in the Guide show that Tio is head and shoulders above other business programmes. Tio students can achieve their vocational education diploma within 1 to 2 years. Many students are attracted by the option of an accelerated programme. Tio’s vocational programme in Hotel Management also scores highly in the Vocational Education Guide: its score of 76 points secures its third place and for the seventh year running the designation of ‘top programme’. • Source: 2021 Vocational Education Guide

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The finals were held entirely online, which worked very well. An online finale is easy, saves travel time and is cost efficient. It is truly a very good solution.

Judge and director of Digitale Publicatie Makers Edwin van der Horst

Plenty of innovative ideas at the finals In May, various courses, projects and minors will be concluded with exciting finals after weeks of hard work.

Students from all six campuses are enthusiastically competing with each other. A week full of healthy tension, tight pitches and impressive concepts ahead. Students ready? Just present! •

Branding Project In the finals for the Branding Project, Commerce Entrepreneurship & Organisations (CEO) students pitch their ideas to invent, profile and promote a new brand. “I have just one question: would you like a job?” is the jury’s response to one of the pitches. The first prize goes to the product Concentrate Energy: a sugar free, natural drink to maintain focus and concentration.

Digital Student Company For the Digital Student Company project, second-year Commerce Entrepreneurship & Organisations (CEO) students develop a new product as a team. They carry out market research, formulate a business plan, sell shares and actually sell their product. The exciting finals are won by students from Tio Amsterdam. Their product: an eyeshadow palette that can be assembled personally by the customer.

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Food & Beverage Management All second-year Hotel and Event Management (HEM) students work on their hospitality business plan. For the Food & Beverage Management finals they come together in the NBC in Nieuwegein to present their plans. Tio Hengelo students invent a concept where guests can lounge, dine and dance a hundred metres above the river Meuse, including a view of the iconic Erasmus Bridge.

They win first prize for their concept and are treated to dinner in a starred restaurant!

The Food & Beverage Management classes were very interesting and inspirational. We were challenged to think outside the box and get in touch with our inner entrepreneurs.

Student Albertine

Incentive & Event Travel The assignment: create a unique and sustainable incentive trip for a group of lawyers. Five groups of first-year International Tourism Management (ITM) students present their ideas in the beautiful FOX theatre, from a culinary tour of Andalusia to a de-stress package in ‘Destrestonia’. The winners: Tio Rotterdam students with Winter Prison Island. They will be allowed to actually arrange the trip!

Hats off to the students’ presentation skills. The visual transitions were flashy, the stories were clear, the concepts were surprising and the judges’ questions were answered with conviction.

Tio Lecturer Len Groot Zwaaftink

Amazing restaurant concepts A rolling bar, Argentinian grilled dishes, business food and work, home-grown vegetables - during the exciting finals for the Mijn TopTent project, a range of widely varying ideas for a new hospitality business are presented.

Hotel Management (HMA) student Julia of Tio Rotterdam takes top prize amongst all finalists drawn from second-year and fast track Hotel Management students.

She put together a business plan for restaurant Pluk which grows its own vegetables in a vegetable garden next to the restaurant.

This class is very educational and really shows you what running your own business is like in practice. It was a lot of fun to come up with a concept of my own and develop it in detail.

Student Britt

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Mini company Students become entrepreneurs for the Mini Company project! Commercial Business Management students present their ideas for their own business to the jury. CBM student Simon is the winner. He invented a Slafeteria: a combination of main course salads and air fryer snacks.

TIO FINALS SALES WEEK!

We were able to present our idea well. Tio gave us the opportunity to start a new company from nothing. We have learned so much.

Student Jesse

Minor Entrepreneurship The students in the minor Entrepreneurship work hard to start their own business. In the finals, the students present their companies to the professional jury. The jury declares Pay-Let the winner for innovation and ease of payment. Pay-Let is a lovely bracelet developed by Charlotte and Danique (HEMe) of Tio Amsterdam, which you will soon be able to use to pay anywhere!

Minor Sales Beer and students are the perfect combination, which is demonstrated once again by the student presentations for the Minor Sales finals. Four groups of bachelor students present their sales strategy to introduce a Slovenian beer into the Dutch market. A number of ideas are presented, from selling the beer at (foodtruck) festivals to integrating the beer into a food and beer app. The best idea is put forward by Iris and Tessa, who want to sell the beer in Lidl, Aldi, Vomar and Dirk supermarkets.

Minor Stocks & Bonds I often thought to myself: wow, that’s great! It is wonderful to see how differently this new generation looks at the world around them.

I saw some promising future entrepreneurs today.

Judge and director of Digitale Publicatie Makers Edwin van der Horst

Third-year International Business Management (IBM) - Stocks & Bonds minor students look like real stock exchange dealers as they passionately present their results to a packed audience of business students. Aisha of Tio Amsterdam takes top prize at the end of the day!

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Project Stocks & Bonds The finals show how much knowledge about the financial world first-year International Business Management (IBM) students have already gained in the Stocks & Bonds Project. Concepts such as shares, obligations, securities and portfolio are flying around the room at full pelt. Student Daphne from Tio Rotterdam wins the € 500 prize: “I have learned a lot during this project and really enjoyed getting a taste of this world!”

It is a pity that we couldn’t present to a large audience, but I tried to see it as a learning opportunity - there will be many times when in the business world we will have to give our presentations online. So this was a good opportunity to practise!

Student Boy

Student Company Invent a product, carry out market research, put together a business plan and get stuck in with your own business.

That is the assignment for second-year International Business Management students during the Student Company project. Using disco music, a stroboscope, fireworks and a smoke machine, the winning team presents their idea for a light-emitting drinks coaster, the model for which they had developed in China. Glow in the bar!

It is wonderful of Tio to stimulate entrepreneurship with the Student Company project by having students think about topics such as proposition, target group, viability and the path to success. Actually setting up your own business is quite different from simply reading about it in a book.”

Judge and director of Atthis Henry Groeneveld

Tour Operating Project During the Tour Operating Project course, International Tourism Management (ITM) students learn how to design tailor-made trips.

The winners of the finals can pack their bags and actually go on the trip they designed! Some great trips are entered for the finals, such as a digital detox trip to Cuba, a 15-day friends’ trip to Texas and Louisiana and a literal cross-border trip to Brunei and Sarawak. The bar is high, but there can be just winner: Sophie and Emily with Crossing Borders!

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The Media Nanny provides students with tips and tricks ‘Media Mastermind’ José Woldring founded PR agency The Media Nanny, which specialises in PR for the dance scene, at the age of 23. Her portfolio includes big names such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Ryan Marciano. She gives students at Tio Amsterdam an insight into her world of famous DJs, app groups and PR events.

From horse-riding enthusiast in the tiny Groningen village of Loppersum to CEO of one of the biggest PR agencies in the dance scene: how do you achieve that? By being in the right business at the right time, says Woldring. PR was virtually unheard of in the dance scene, so she started providing PR for a few DJs she knew while studying Media & Entertainment Management. That was precisely when the DJ industry started booming: the export of Dutch music doubled.

“I realised I was in the right business.” •

It is important to build a personal relationship with your customers, that’s a great tip. José Woldring is an interesting person.

It was a fun and personal master class, because José Woldring told her story herself.

I have done an internship at a PR company and she shows me a totally different side from what I saw during my internship Student Lidiya

Student Nancy

I also got some job application tips from the talk.

Student Emily

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Look at the good times in your life. Don’t get stuck if something doesn’t work (straightaway). Make sure you start work every morning with the right kind of focus. The most important things are enjoyment and passion.

Speaker Björn Kuipers

Entrepreneur Björn Kuipers about stamina and determination Björn Kuipers is a top referee and successful entrepreneur.

During his masterclass for Tio Hengelo, he explains how he can be successful in both areas. Björn Kuipers: “Whatever you do, whether it’s hospitality, tourism, marketing or business, make sure you are passionate about it.

Entrepreneurship is my greatest passion.”

“You achieve more working together”, Kuipers, who hails from Oldenzaal, explains. He has a leading role in three different environments: as captain, he leads all the other referees on the field, he is entrepreneur and owner of a Jumbo supermarket and also the ‘captain’ of his family. He is surrounded by a strong team and by having faith in each other all of these things can be achieved as a team. •

Losers have an excuse, winners have a plan.

Innovations and a changing environment demand adaptation and that is only possible when you have a winners’ mentality. Have the courage to admit to mistakes, that way you will learn from them.

Speaker Björn Kuipers

What I have learned is that when the pressure is on, you should continue to believe in yourself. What contagious enthusiasm!

Student Anne

He made the evening for me. His inexhaustible level of energy and positivity are contagious. It makes you really want to get stuck into entrepreneurship!

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‘It is a real achievement if a student is unable to contact me!’

Tio Hengelo has a particularly low drop-out level amongst firstyear students. Tio’s small size and personal approach definitely play a role there, according to Stijn de Kleuver, study coach at Tio Hengelo. As a study coach, he makes sure that he knows all his students personally. This enables him to provide the coaching they need.

Conscious choice of programme In Stijn’s opinion, the small number of drop-outs can partly be explained by the fact that students choose their programme extremely consciously. “Most students will attend open days followed by trial study days. They will often have a personal interview with a study coach, together with their parents.” Once they have arrived at Tio, the students are coached intensively, and actually, this starts even before the programme. “At Tio, we ensure that we know each and every student who wants to start a particular programme”, Stijn explains. “This means we know what their motivations are for that particular programme. We know if there are any additional needs, for instance in connection with a disability, or if they are top athletes or have their own business. This enables us give customized support where necessary.”

Room for personal guidance During the programme, there is a lot of opportunity for personal attention. “Due to the small classes at Tio, students receive a lot of attention from the lecturers”, Stijn says. “In addition, they have a weekly contact opportunity as a group as well as individual study progress discussions with a study coach. This means a relationship of trust is established between student and study coach, which is essential to guiding the student appropriately.”

The door is always open Students who have a concern can always turn to Stijn and his fellow study coaches, including outside the weekly contact opportunities. “My door is always open - students can just walk in. WhatsApp is the key contact medium for this generation, so a lot of my contact with the students is via the app.” He winks: “It is a real achievement if a student is unable to contact me!” •

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Studying for the exams In April, the students dive back into their textbooks. And whether this is at home or in the study areas on campus: hard work is the order of the day! •

Studying effectively at home: apps to boost your productivity Five apps to help you maintain your focus and eliminate distraction Are you not one of the happy few who somehow always manage to find the discipline to work on their studies at home? Do you struggle to stay motivated? Not to worry: here are five (free) apps to help you!

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Cold turkey Distractions are everywhere. The app Cold Turkey temporarily eliminates all distractions, including websites and social media.

Pomodoro-apps Give your productivity a boost! Download a pomodoro app, such as Focus Booster or Productivity Challenge Timer, enabling you to work in time blocks of 25 minutes work, 5 minutes break.

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Forest Fewer distractions, more focus. Yes please! The app Forest helps you increase your focus in a playful manner. Plant a virtual tree and let it grow by not using your phone during a pre-set period of time.

Todoist The app Todoist is an online task manager that promises more inner peace, overview and mental clarity. Say goodbye to multiple to-do lists and unfinished tasks running through your head!

Noisli Do you have trouble concentrating? The app Noisli blocks disruptive or irritating (ambient) noise and works with soothing colours and sounds. It is perfect for relaxed yet productive study sessions. •

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Five tips on how to create a nice study environment at home How can you create a good study environment where you can get your school work done in a pleasant and effective manner? After reading these tips, you’ll be studying like a pro in no time!

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Tidy desk = tidy mind Studying is better in a calm, bright place without direct distractions, so clean up first. A tidy desk is a tidy mind!

The right facilities A nice study place has the right facilities. Think of a (clean!) desk with space for your laptop and books, but also a comfortable chair, sufficient sockets, a good internet connection and a desk lamp.

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Green is good Brighten up your desk with some greenery! Plants in your workplace are good for your concentration and productivity and looking at nature reduces stress in your body.

Inform others 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.

Make sure there is plenty of light In a (too) dark environment, your eyes are more likely to get tired 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. •

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Netherlands #2 of Europe according to international students The Netherlands is Europe’s second most popular country for international students to come and study and ranks no lower than seventh worldwide. This was revealed by a survey among 20,000 international students by online study platform education.com.

Positions one and three in Europe are held by Spain and Switzerland respectively.

Dutch quality of education is high The survey shows that the high quality of education makes the Netherlands especially loved among international students. No fewer than eight Dutch universities among the over 2,000 participating universities around the world ended up in the top 100. Moreover, the Netherlands scores highly in terms of career opportunities.

“An impressive performance for such a small country,” the report says. “A lot of international students elect to study in the Netherlands and remain there after completing their studies.”

Studying in the Netherlands “an excellent choice” Fredrik Högemark, chief information officer of educations.com, states in the report: “International students have specific reasons for choosing a university or study programme. As the Netherlands has been ranked third in the world in terms of quality of education and as the government is working hard on creating career opportunities for graduates, studying in the Netherlands is an excellent choice for international students.”

The Netherlands ranks higher than Australia, the UK and the USA, among others What is striking is that Australia, the UK and the USA scored lower on the survey than the Netherlands. These three destinations are still very popular for studying, among Asian students in particular. However, the survey shows that the quality of education in the Netherlands is higher and the Netherlands scores higher in other fields as well. Out of the three, only Australia managed to reach a top-10 global position at #9.

About the survey Over 20,000 international students participated in the survey and assessed countries on factors such as quality of education, career opportunities, study costs, culture and environment. Only one country in Europe managed to outperform the Netherlands: CHECK THIS! Spain. Overall, students had the highest opinion of New Zealand. •

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“ I chose to do the Study Abroad minor in Seoul because I want an international career.”

Maurits Meiboom studies International Business Management and he wants to have an international career. He is certainly on the right path: this semester, he is studying in South Korea’s vibrant capital, Seoul. How does he like it so far? What is life like over there? He tells us all about his experiences after stopping by the Olympic village.

Why did you want to study in South Korea?

Maurits: “I chose to do the Study Abroad minor in Seoul because I want an international career. My focus is now on Asia, because it is home to so many leading international organisations. For example, I want to know how Asian technology companies such as Sony, NetEase and Samsung adjust to the Western market and vice versa. I am also interested in the Asian culture and ways of doing business. I love to learn more about that.”

“Life in South Korea feels like a non-stop rollercoaster.

The lights are never off and it is always crowded. The energy is palpable. I have a view of Seoul Station for my apartment window. More than 100,000 people pass through there every single day. In my spare time, I try to experience as much of the city’s culture as possible.”

Why did you choose Soongsil University?

Maurits: “This university offers challenging business and marketing courses that tie in perfectly with my business study. In Korea, Soongsil University is known for its excellent students, great results and the limited number of students who are admitted. Being able to study here will look great on my CV!” What is life like in South Korea?

Maurits: “This is the biggest culture shock of my life.

During the first few days, it felt like I had to learn how to go shopping and order food all over again. I have one tip for people who want to visit Korea sometime: avoid any and all red food! Everything is becoming clearer and more fun now. What has surprised me most are the major cultural differences that I did not expect beforehand, such as their unique delicacies.”

Why did you choose Tio’s business programme?

Maurits: “I want to work on an international level and the curriculum of the International Business Management programme is perfect for that. It is a comprehensive study that covers many aspects that you encounter every single day. This business degree opens many doors, because you are knowledgeable about a wide range of topics.” •

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Meet Magdalena, an international exchange student from Polen Magdalena Zaglaniczna is a student from the University Economics in Cracow. She studies at the faculty International Business Economics and before her exchange, she has been working as a junior accountant. In the Netherlands she lives with her lovely dog Lex. Her hobbies? Definitely baking, especially various kinds of cheesecakes. She really enjoys playing computer games. To get to know her, we ask her some questions.

Why did you choose Hogeschool Tio? “I really want to experience studying in a private, non-congested university. It is different than the Cracow’s University, but I like it so far. The staff impresses me how they can be open and willing to help students. Also I find it easier to make friends because the building is not that enormous.”

Which course do you like the most?

“Finance and accounting. The lecturer finds ways to explain finance and accounting topics pretty well out of standards written in the books that everybody in class could understand. Exercises are explained step by step, and I really appreciate that.”

Do you see differences between your culture and the Dutch culture?

“Oh, yes, but not that much. As a Polish girl I could say that Dutch people are less spontaneous. Of course there is a difference in amount of cyclists. I am so jealous of the really good conditions for riding a bike here. Finally I can not understand why some Dutch people put sugar sprinkles on their bread!”

What do you like about Utrecht? Have you seen the highlights?

“I am actually living in The Hague, however I have been walking in Utrecht, and I must say that I have fallen in love. The old town reminds me of Cracow, my city with all the restaurants, pubs and cafés. And the canals, they are so pretty! I am definitely going to visit places in Utrecht recommended by my classmates.”

What kind of advice would you give the Dutch students regarding their study?

“I noticed that Dutch students are good in what they do.

What I would recommend is to share their opinion more frequently.”

What would you like to do after graduating?

“I am currently studying Mandarin which is part of my plan to work for international companies in eastern China.

I am interested in finance and accounting, but I find supply chain and logistics quite interesting as well.” •

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Festive graduation ceremonies It is always a wonderful moment to see students receive their hard-won diplomas. Donning their caps and gowns, and applauded loudly by proud parents, the vocational, Ad, bachelor and master students are handed their diplomas. Many congratulations, you are all stars! •

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From student to hotel manager how Melissa gave her career a dream start Straight from school to running a successful star hotel? Former Tio student Melissa van Rooij did exactly that.

This ambitious lady has only recently graduated but has already been appointed General Manager at the Postillion Hotel Amersfoort Veluwemeer in Putten. The talented 22-year old won the NXT GM Challenge and was therefore given the opportunity to start at the top straightaway, an opportunity she grasped with both hands!

Running a hotel from A to Z “Myriad things were coming at me right from the start.

Every day is different and my planning can change by the hour!” Melissa laughs. “But the diversity makes it really fun and I really enjoy the balance between operational and office. One minute I’m in one-to-one meetings, the next it’s a management meeting or I’m concerning myself with the guests. Just now for instance, I’m busy with the annual budget planning - quite a challenge!”

Learning by doing Quite scary to be in charge all on your own. How do you prepare for running a complete hotel if you’ve never done that before? “In order to get to know the organisation really well, I started out shadowing as Assistant General Manager for a few weeks”, Melissa explains. “I was fully involved in everything to do with running the hotel. And after that, it was just a question of getting stuck in.

Making my own decisions, having the courage to make mistakes and to learn from them. I am learning new things every day!”

Dream job thanks to NXT GM Challenge Melissa took part in the NXT GM Challenge: a competition for students and alumni of hotel (management) schools to win a year-long job as General Manager of the four star hotel in Putten. Melissa took part, beat a hundred other competitors in the various assignments and was able to wow the jury at the finals with a knock-out pitch. For Melissa it was a dream come true.

The adventure begins Although the NXT GM Challenge was a rollercoaster itself, the adventure did not really start until Melissa was actually put in charge of Postillion Hotel. As its General Manager, she is now completely responsible for all processes and activities within the hotel, from sales to finance, revenue management and human resources, she explains. And how is the brand new General Manager getting on? “It’s going well”, Melissa says cheerfully. She gives a relaxed impression and talks about her first few weeks with enthusiasm.

The foundations were laid at Tio You really only learn the job by putting in the hours, in Melissa’s opinion, although as a General Manager, she is really benefiting from the Hotel and Event Management programme at Hogeschool Tio. “Subjects such as Human Resource Management, giving presentations and drawing up a balance sheet really come into their own now. I laid the foundations at Tio. Now it’s just a matter of putting it all into practice and learning by doing.”

A massive opportunity How does Melissa look back on the NXT GM Challenge?

“A challenge like that is an opportunity you will only get once. I learned a massive amount, made a lot of valuable contacts and was able to present myself to a large audience. And of course, at the end, I got the opportunity to start at the top, something I’m really grateful for - Postillion is a really great and innovative hotel chain and I am enjoying it very much here. I don’t regret taking part for one second!” •

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Tio Alumni Hogeschool Tio graduates stay in touch through Tio Alumni. Tio Alumni is aimed at maintaining contact between former students and Tio itself, as well as supporting and extending contact between the alumni themselves.

Tio Alumni is the platform for alumni where they can meet online and offline. Tio Alumni members meet several times a year for networking socials, masterclasses and events. These are focused on extending and maintaining your network. Digital networking is emphasised too: sharing vacancies, exchanging knowledge and sharing industry information. •

An alumni network is very important to me. Events allows us to make contacts easily and to exchange ideas.

Alumnus Stefan

Tio Alumni can just be that little helping hand into starting your career, a new job or a great project, for instance.

Alumnus Dignus

Alumni social Tio Amsterdam Alumni socials are held several times a year. They are quite exciting: which former students will turn up, who do you still recognise, what is everyone doing in their work? It is often one big party, getting reacquainted while enjoying some drinks and snacks! •

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Top internships at world-class companies In the summer months, Tio students do internships all over the world. (International) top companies are more than happy to welcome them, from ABN AMRO to Schiphol and from a Taiwanese events bureau to a boutique hotel on Bali. Come and have a look! •

Ardin Dekker IBMe Paragon Partners Asia, Shanghai

Myrco von Brucken Fock HEM De Vere Horsley Estate, UK

Merel Kraaijenhof ITM Corendon, Turkey

Bram Oosterloo & Lars Versloot IBMe & HEMe iron Room, New York Transamerica Ventures & The Flat

Kim Nolten CEO CoHive, Bali Hidde de Bruijn HMA De Librije, Zwolle

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Kim Teleng ITM Come2Indonesia, Bali

Roxane Demmink HMA Grand Hotel Karel V, Utrecht

Eline van Doorne IBMe ABN AMRO, Amsterdam

Nils van den Boogaard CEO Royal Schiphol Group, Amsterdam

Valerie van Wingerden CBM Ahoy, Rotterdam Kevin Naarendorp CBM Gazelle, The Netherlands

Moos Janssen HEM GIS Group Global Co., Taipei

Flip Vermeeren HEM DreamVillage,The Netherlands

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Impressions of Tio Want to know more about studying at Tio? There are a lot of new videos about Tio. Watch them all online! •

Want to study in the Netherlands?

This is Tio Amsterdam

This is Tio Eindhoven

This is Tio Hengelo

This is Tio Rotterdam

This is Tio Utrecht

Student society Cognatio

A day in the life of a Tio student

Minor Study Abroad

Dream jobs after Tio

Honours Programme

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Michelle works as an online marketeer

Introducing a flying car to the market

Practical internship minor

The most fascinating Hotel and Eventmanagement internships

Final thesis about customer satisfaction

Patrick is working as a Sales Director at Meltwater

Hotel and Event Week!

Sales week

E-commerce week

Studiereis Tallinn

Studiereis Ljubljana

Studiereis Riga