Hidde Plaatsman
“Hospitality has been part of my life from a very young age. My mother owned a restaurant, and I still remember being allowed to serve a cup of coffee as a child and I absolutely loved it. Even so, I initially chose a different path. I thought: I’ll become an engineer. It sounds impressive and it pays well. But I quickly realised it didn’t give me any real sense of fulfilment."
"In the end, I started working in hospitality full-time. Straight away, I felt: this is where I belong. I progressed into a management role, but at a certain point I began to wonder: what’s next? Without formal qualifications, it becomes harder to progress. And what if I want to do something different later on? The decision to return to studying felt daunting, but this format really suits me.
What surprised me most is that it’s not a traditional course. You’re not cramming for exams; instead, you’re working on your own professional practice. I’m currently working on a project that we genuinely use on the work floor, which makes it incredibly valuable. Of course, it can be busy at times, and planning is absolutely essential. But because it aligns so well with my job, it doesn’t feel like something extra.
Thanks to this programme, I now see far more opportunities. Are you unsure? I was too. But if you want more, it's possible.”
More info?
To find out more about AD Work and Study Hospitality Management? Check out the opportunities NHL Stenden offers or request the programme brochure.