Aniek van den Ouweland
“I’ve always been fascinated by other cultures, nature and the feeling of freedom. When I was younger, my family and I moved to Sweden, and that experience sparked my interest in other countries. I knew I wanted to work in tourism, but I wasn’t sure if I could handle higher professional education. That’s why I decided to start with the Associate degree (AD) Tourism Management.”
Taking the next step
“The two years of the AD gave me the confidence to continue. Some subjects, like business economics, were challenging, but with extra support and a lot of practice, I managed to pass them. My family, friends and lecturers encouraged me to continue with the Bachelor’s in Tourism Management. The practical experience I had gained during my AD made that step feel possible. After four years of studying, I proudly received my Bachelor’s degree.”
From an library in New Zealand to a Master's
“After graduating, I went to New Zealand on a working holiday. I often ended up in libraries looking for Wi-Fi, somewhere to charge my phone and a comfortable sofa. Seeing all those students studying made me think: I’ve completed VMBO, MBO, an AD and a Bachelor’s degree. Why wouldn’t I be able to do a Master’s too? Sitting in one of those libraries, I decided to enrol in the Master’s in International Leisure, Tourism & Events Management. For now, I want to gain more experience in tourism and keep travelling. One day, I hope to return to NHL Stenden as a lecturer, with a backpack full of experience.”
Ready to take the next step?
Want to find out if the AD Tourism Management programme could be your next step? Explore the programme and discover where it could take you.