Adam Žovinec
Drawn to the Netherlands for its ideal location in Europe and bike-friendly cities, Adam knew NHL Stenden would exceed his expectations in more ways than one. He’s loved the multifaceted International Business degree and the chance to travel abroad on Grand Tour to South Africa and also for his internship in Dubai. The international experience has helped Adam discover things he didn’t know about himself, and he's excited for what the future brings.
“The International Business programme has been exactly as I imagined – I’ve studied all kinds of areas within business, like accounting, finance, and supply chain management. Before coming to NHL Stenden, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do professionally afterwards, but I knew that having such a broad range of topics would give me a chance to explore my interests and then choose for myself. One thing I’ve come to appreciate, despite my initial scepticism, is the group projects. Almost every project throughout the semesters and modules is done in groups. At first, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about working so closely with others as I usually like doing things my way and at my own pace. But over time, I realised the importance of project work because it prepares you for your professional life, where teamwork is essential. Plus, working with friends definitely makes the experience better!”
Learning the ins and outs
“In my third year, I had the opportunity to do an internship, and fortunately, I had multiple offers, so I got to choose the one that felt right for me. I ended up going with Jumeirah in Dubai – an incredibly diverse company with employees from 87 different nationalities! A friend who had also started his internship there recommended the company to me, and I landed a role in HR. I was excited to work in a multinational company and get firsthand experience of how the company operates, how decisions are made, and what day-to-day communication looks like. My main responsibilities included overseeing the visa processing for employees coming to work in Dubai, assisting with the recruitment process, as well as other HR tasks. My time at Jumeirah was a fantastic opportunity to build my professional portfolio, and I’m so glad I did it.”
Figuring things out
“Internships are a great way to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. They can also teach you what you don’t like, which is equally valuable! For me, I now know I don’t want to work in the service industry, but I do know I want to work with people from different countries as they bring new perspectives and therefore amazing opportunities to learn. Both my studies and the internship have helped me improve my communication and interpersonal skills, which I know will be a huge asset in the future. For anyone considering an internship, I’d highly recommend embracing the challenge – you never know what you might learn about yourself!”
Find out more about International Business on the course website and read more info & other stories about internships.