New Students from 15 Different Countries

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences welcomed its latest group of students at a virtual get-together last Friday, which was also attended by members of staff, including the CEO, Maggie Feng, and Sasha Liebhardt, managing director at Wittenborg's partner institute in Munich, New European College.

While some of the new international students already find themselves at Wittenborg's locations in Apeldoorn, Amsterdam and Munich, others logged in from their home countries as they wait to travel to Europe. What was indisputable, however, was everyone's enthusiasm to start their studies at one of the Netherlands' most international institutions of higher education.

Feng also shared some great news with students, namely that Wittenborg will possibly be able to start with hybrid education again by the end of April as the Netherlands has been in lockdown since mid-December and all education moved online. Feng said she hoped to see everyone face-to-face again soon.

"Welcome to all new students. We are a very international, diverse country and that requires a big, open heart. Many of our professors are international and have done a great journey themselves. Please know we are here to support you and feel free to connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc." Feng told students she came to the Netherlands as an international student herself in 1999 from China and 20 years later she is still here. "Like they say, life is like a box of chocolates, you never know where it is going to take you."

The new students are from Vietnam, Nigeria, the US, Pakistan, Germany, Tanzania, India, Iran, Ghana, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Sierra Leone. The past week they were involved with various Introduction Week activities.

Liebhardt says students are joining a truly European academic institution with staff from an international background, favouring students' future employability prospects in an increasingly global world.

Ndbuisi Isaac, a Nigerian student who will do an IBA in Information Management, said he has been in Apeldoorn for a bit now and loves the way of life here. "Life is very simple and people are friendly. When I don't understand something at the supermarket, for example, they will explain it to me in English."

WUP 1/4/2021
by Anesca Smith
©WUAS Press