More Than 100 Students from 28 Countries Join Wittenborg for October Block

New Students Start Academic Journey with Introduction Week

As autumn settles in across Europe, Wittenborg has welcomed over 100 new students for its October block. These students will be based at the institution's Apeldoorn campus and its study locations in Amsterdam and Munich.

Reflecting Wittenborg’s commitment to internationalisation and diversity, the new students hail from 25 different countries, including Latvia, China, Sri Lanka, the United States, Vietnam, Ghana, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Afghanistan, South Africa and more. They bring with them a wide array of academic interests, having chosen specialisations across the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), MBM (Master of Business Management) and MBA (Master of Business Administration) programmes.

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

This October intake kicked off with Wittenborg’s traditional Introduction Week. The week was packed with sessions designed to familiarise new students with the school's staff, infrastructure and facilities. The programme included workshops on academic writing, immigration procedures for those studying in the Netherlands and Germany (for those at 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.

Lasantha De Silva, Head of Operations, welcomed the new students to Apeldoorn, emphasising the importance of focusing on their studies. He advised, "Make sure you keep in touch with your process tutors, and then everything is going to be fine." Acknowledging the challenges of being in a new country, he assured students, "If you feel confused or lost, we are always there to help."

De Silva highlighted the significance of integrating into a new culture and taking advantage of Wittenborg’s diverse international environment. "You have to learn how and what they do in these countries," he said, noting that Wittenborg operates on three pillars: internationalisation, diversity and ethics. With over 112 different nationalities among students and 65 among staff, students have a unique opportunity to forge connections that will benefit them in their future careers.

"Don't try to stick to your own people," he advised. Sharing his own experiences, he mentioned two students who went on to create a successful business, illustrating the importance of networking. He urged students to mingle, stating, "Your next venture or business plan could start from your own class."

De Silva also encouraged students to create LinkedIn profiles and share their learning experiences online. "You show to the rest of the world what skills and knowledge components you gain," he explained, highlighting that this visibility could lead to future opportunities. He concluded by reiterating, "Education is the priority, and the rest will follow."

Some students shared their thoughts:

Wegner Chidocoro, a BBA student from Mozambique enrolled in Munich, said, “In the heart of Europe, where tradition meets innovation, the new European College stands as a beacon of academic excellence. Munich, with its vibrant culture and rich history, provides the perfect backdrop for young minds to explore the world and shape its future.”

Joining the Amsterdam study location are BBA students Elliot Eans, originally from the United States and Yentle Lorandi from South Africa.

Elliot Eans, an 18-year-old originally from Atlanta, Georgia, shared his journey to Europe, highlighting the opportunities that accompanied the move. “My parents moved to Valencia two years ago, both being chefs, and I grew up in the restaurant industry,” he explained. Now living in Amsterdam, Eans is embracing this new chapter of his life as he studies business at Wittenborg. “For an American, it’s pretty wild to be going to be studying in Europe, but I like it here,” he said. He described his experience so far as positive and expressed excitement about learning more about business and exploring the Netherlands, all while enjoying the comfort of being able to speak English in a European environment.

Yentle Lorandi, a 20-year-old student who moved to the Netherlands two years ago to work as an au pair, feels at home in the country. "I know the Netherlands very well," she said, adding that Wittenborg’s introduction week was a learning curve but that she's enjoyed getting to know new people. Lorandi particularly values the practical aspect of her studies. "It opens up a few doors if you have a bit more practical experience," she noted. With a positive start to her studies, she's now looking forward to her classes as well as social events, such as Wittenborg's upcoming annual Halloween party in Amsterdam.

Dilnozakhon Abdulloeva, from Tajikistan, recently arrived in the Netherlands to pursue a bachelor's in Marketing and Communication. "I arrived about a week ago, and it's my first time in the Netherlands," she shared. What stands out to her most about the country is how green it is and how friendly the people are. Abdulloeva chose Wittenborg as the perfect match due to its international environment and her chosen major. She has already made friends and aims to successfully graduate and find a job. During the introduction week, she learned useful information, including tips on finding part-time jobs and understanding work hours.

WUP 25/10/2024 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press