Afbeelding
Not just another ‘crazy idea’
"Both my teacher and my old boss supported my decision to study abroad. Back in Poland, I worked at a restaurant, starting as a hostess and moving up to assistant manager and eventually as a customer service employee. It was there that I fell in love with marketing & sales. Always coming up with new ideas to help the company grow, is what I like most. I am very goal driven and do not shy away from a challenge. My English teacher and former boss saw my entrepreneurial side and encouraged me.
When I began searching for opportunities to study abroad, the educational system in the Netherlands caught my attention the most. I was drawn to the prospect of gaining practical experience right away. NHL Stenden University gave me an immediate good feeling. Initially, my parents thought it was just another one of my 'crazy ideas,' but once I was admitted, I reassured them: "I am really going for this."
The beauty industry
"As a child, I dreamed of becoming a makeup artist. Even in high school, I spent a lot of time experimenting with makeup. Now that I’m older, I’m still interested in the make-up industry, but not as a make-up artist. The International Business programme is preparing me for any kind of job in the beauty industry.''
“I used to be a 'people's pleaser', but this course taught me to rely on myself and hold others accountable for their own responsibilities. Now, I'm brave enough to delegate tasks and lead projects. This will surely benefit me during my internship, hopefully at a cosmetic company. I have also become more confident, especially when it comes to presenting, although it still intimidates me at times. However, with practice, I'm improving. The programme has also made me more culturally aware. Thanks to my international classmates, who are now my friends, I have become much more open-minded towards other cultures."
My second home
"I really feel like I have two homes now. During holidays, I enjoy visiting my family and friends in Poland. My four-year-old sister lights up when I’m there, but it’s tough for both of us when I have to return to the Netherlands. Thankfully, we stay in touch a lot through FaceTime. My friends here understand these feelings well, which makes it comforting that we can empathize and support each other. I also receive tremendous support from my teachers and especially my study coach. I can talk to him about anything, even these struggles. He's always just a message away.”
New challenges ahead
"After graduating, I would like to work in the marketing industry and most likely in the beauty or skincare industry. Hopefully I'll find something in the Netherlands. I don't want to go back to Poland yet because I want to keep challenging myself. International Business has pushed me to embrace working with these diverse cultures and in different countries. Even though Poland will always be my safe space, I don't feel like there are enough challenges for me there. With all the new friends I've made here and everything I've learned so far, I don't regret choosing to study here, not even for a second!"