Wittenborg Welcomes More Than 80 New Students for September Intake

Students from 25 Countries Join Wittenborg’s Global Community

As summer draws to a close across Europe, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has welcomed over 80 new students for its September block. These students will be based across the institution’s Apeldoorn campus, as well as study locations in Amsterdam and Munich.

Reflecting Wittenborg’s commitment to internationalisation and diversity, the new students hail from 25 different countries, including Norway, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, South Africa, Zambia, Japan, Spain and more. They bring with them diverse academic interests, having chosen specialisations across the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Management (MBM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes.

Wittenborg’s six annual intakes are designed to offer flexibility for students, with additional enrolment opportunities scheduled for October and December 2024. Looking towards 2025, prospective students can plan for intakes in February, March and beyond – ample opportunities to join  Wittenborg throughout the year.

This September intake kicked off with Wittenborg’s traditional Introduction Week, starting on 26 August. The week was packed with sessions designed to familiarise new students with the school's staff, infrastructure and facilities, while also immersing them in the vibrant atmosphere. The programme included workshops on academic writing, immigration procedures for those studying in the Netherlands and Germany (in the case of Munich), career development, and a Support English assessment for all master’s and bachelor’s students. The week culminated in an Introductory Lunch at each location, giving students and staff the chance to meet and connect.

Welcoming students to the Apeldoorn campus, Fahad Shakeel, Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of the Business School, reflected on his own experience as an international student. "On behalf of my colleagues and the management team, I would like to welcome you all. Around eight years ago, I was an international student just like you when I came to the Netherlands to start my PhD in Nijmegen. I know there must be so many things on your mind right now—trying to acclimatise to a new environment, learn a new language, build your social circle, and at the same time, focus on your studies. Too many things to do and too little time to do it in. This is where we come in! Here at Wittenborg, you get a very diverse environment, which gives you a unique chance to learn not only from your teachers but also from each other, by understanding, respecting, and celebrating the differences in your cultures and appreciating your common ambitions and goals. We are here to support you, but it will be up to you to explore all avenues and make the most of this time."

For many of the new students, the decision to study at Wittenborg was influenced by a combination of factors.

Kendal Beffre, from Rhode Island in the United States, is pursuing her bachelor's in Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing. She shared her reasons for choosing Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location: "I was in Amsterdam for an internship before, and I decided to come and study here. I really liked it, so I thought, okay, I'll study here and then eventually get a job. Wittenborg offered the major I wanted, which was digital marketing, and a lot of other schools didn’t."  

Adjusting to life in a new country can be a challenge, but Kendal has found some surprising perks: "Grocery shopping here was like a little game the first time I came. I would take pictures of my groceries and send them to my friends, and they would guess the price. I sent a picture of €20 worth of groceries, and they guessed $60. I was like, no, it was only €20! It’s so much cheaper here."

Kendal is also enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead: "I’m looking forward to experiencing new things and learning. I’ve always been someone who loves learning. When I was ten, I spent two years writing a book and got it published at 13. Now, I’m excited to dive into digital marketing and make the most of my time here."

Chidera Peter Asika and Henry Olamide Adebisi, both MBA students from Nigeria, expressed their enthusiasm for Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location. "We are very happy to be here and to see so many students from different backgrounds," Henry said. "The introduction week shows how intentional the team is about ensuring we have everything we need to succeed, which is very helpful."

In Apeldoorn, Dilan Capan, a pre-master’s student from Nizip, Türkiye, specialising in Digital Marketing and Communication, shared her thoughts on why she chose Wittenborg: "When I first came to the Netherlands, I loved the people – they are always cheerful and respectful. I researched business schools, and Wittenborg was the best option for me because of the range of master’s classes and the supportive teachers. The diversity at Wittenborg is amazing; I’ve already met friends from Korea and China."

Dilan also praised the practical benefits of life in the Netherlands, highlighting her positive first impressions: "The bikeways are the best! When I first got a bike, I rode for an hour and a half without getting lost because the paths are so well-marked, and the car drivers respect cyclists. It’s the best thing I’ve seen here."

WUP 06/09/2024 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press