Jildert Roubos

“If I had to describe myself in three words, I would choose sporty, social and adventurous. These three traits are very useful in the Tourism Management programme. Every day, I get to immerse myself in different cultures, countries and regions, and discover the impact tourism has on our world. And the best part: I mainly do that by getting out there and experiencing it myself.”

A feeling of coming home

“From day one, the Associate Degree (AD) programme felt like coming home to me. That is mainly because we have a small, close-knit class of just ten students. There is also another AD group with around ten students. We often have classes together, but there is also plenty of individual attention. Everyone knows each other, and you can always walk into a lecturer’s office with a question. That small-scale environment suits me perfectly.”

Learning by observing

“Learning by doing: that is the best way to describe the AD programme. We regularly go out into practice for assignments. For example, I analysed the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. By focusing on specific points, I was able to connect theory and practice. These interactive assignments are, for me, the best way to truly understand how theory works in real life. It makes learning not only educational, but also incredibly enjoyable.”

Study trip to Slovenia

“We don’t just go on trips within our own country; a study trip abroad is also part of the programme. This year, we went to Slovenia, a surprisingly beautiful country. Every day was packed with visits to cities, guest lectures at universities, and practical assignments. Together with classmates, I created a promotional video for the city of Piran. Working on a video like that helps you discover the most unique hotspots in the city.”

Enjoying the journey

“My first year of study has flown by. ‘Time flies when you’re having fun’ really doesn’t only apply to holidays, but certainly also to studying. My original plan was to complete this two-year AD programme and go straight into work afterwards. But now that I’ve discovered that studying can actually be enjoyable, I am seriously considering continuing for another two years to obtain my bachelor’s degree. My dream is to one day start my own company and organise active holidays to Scandinavia. That is still a few years away, but I am fully enjoying the journey towards that goal.”