Career Event: working on your future

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

A good start is half the work

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

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! •

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

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.

Akkemee (Make-a-Wish)

Ynzo van Zanten

Chief Evangelist Tony’s Chocolonely Twan Huys Tv-presentator Atilay Uslu CEO Corendon

Twan Huys in interview with Corendon-CEO Atilay Uslu

Rolf Schrama Econoom en topsporter

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!

Student Yash

Rolf Schrama over doorzetten

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

Eindhoven

Students sit down with staff

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

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. •

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 Tourism Thesis Award 2019

Jessica Hendriks, Li Ye Eefting, Merel Wensink, Kevin van der Sloot and Maxime Voorthuijsen EMCup 2019

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!” •

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. •

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-todate 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.

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’. •

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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.

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

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.

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

TIO FINALS SALES WEEK! 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!

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 Sales

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

Minor Stocks & Bonds

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!

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!

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!

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

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 Nancy

Student Lidiya I also got some job application tips from the talk.

Student Emily

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!

Student Sem

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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!” •

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!

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

2. 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.

3. 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. 4. 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!

5. 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. •

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!

1. 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!

2. 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.

3. 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. 4. 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.

5. 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. •

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: Spain. Overall, students had the highest opinion of New Zealand. • CHECK THIS!

“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.”

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.” “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 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.” •

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.” •

gradua n

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! •

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!

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.

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!”

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!” •

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.