Nina Chamanel Costa

nina-chamanel-costa-itess
“This is without a doubt just the start of my growth into the person I aspire to be”
Nina Chamanel Costa
International Teacher Education for Secondary Schools (ITESS) student

After finishing secondary school in Spain, Nina decided it was the right time to explore more of the world and follow her dream of learning about other languages, cultures, and people. Nina chose International Teacher Education for Secondary Schools (ITESS) programme at NHL Stenden because it blends her passion for science and education while offering an international qualification that lets her work across borders. One surprising aspect of the programme for Nina is the strong focus on practical experience – it makes everything feel real and relevant. 

“The ITESS programme offers a unique, four-year experience of applied learning in both the Netherlands and abroad. What really sets it apart is the strong sense of collaboration among students, mentors, and lecturers in a truly welcoming atmosphere. And the emphasis on teaching practice really brings the theory to life. I've found it inspiring, challenging, and rewarding to work in such a diverse educational environment. A personal highlight has been seeing how education changes across different contexts – it’s incredibly enriching to learn about how we can adapt our teaching to any scenario that’s presented to us, whether that's in Germany, Switzerland, or Argentina.” 

Learning on the job 

 “I'm currently doing my internship. We have an internship in each year of study and for this one I've been working alongside my mentor teacher and other staff at a school over several weeks. I do various activities like teaching, attending meetings, and joining school events. For the first two weeks, I was observing lessons and getting familiar with the school's environment and IB curriculum, which really helped me build a foundation. After that, I began co-teaching and gradually took on more responsibility, eventually teaching independently in the final weeks. This approach has definitely helped me ease into the role. Plus, it's helping me grow and develop the necessary skills to become both a successful international teacher and a well-rounded person.” 

  

“NHL Stenden helped my get my internship by providing a list of schools I could contact for placements. Once I was accepted, I was assigned a mentor teacher – it means you’re never on your own. One of the toughest parts, though, has been adjusting to a new school culture and teaching style. But it’s pushed me to become more adaptable and confident.”   

What the future brings 

“One thing I’ve learnt is that internships are super important in teaching because they give you the chance to apply your knowledge in different classrooms. They help build confidence and show you where you can improve. It can also get pretty intense, especially when you're juggling responsibilities with your studies – but the hands-on experience makes it all worth it.” 

  

“Right now, I'm not entirely sure what my future holds after finishing ITESS, but something I'm certain about is my strong interest in human brain development, especially during adolescence. I'm also really curious about the impact of AI and how we can effectively integrate it into education. I'm excited to explore these areas and see where they might take me. This is without a doubt just the start of my growth into the person I aspire to be in the future.” 

 

Find out more about ITESS on the programme’s website. 

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