Successful first Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme

For the first time the Faculty of Business, Finance & Law organised an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, hosted in The Hague; this programme focuses on sustainable banking and finance. After years of coronavirus-related measures, students from seven research and applied universities were finally able to meet up physically to work together on this theme. It turned out to be an insightful and unforgettable week, full of intercultural cooperation.

The students who took part in the programme, which ran from 14 to 18 March, learned to respond to their intercultural differences as they worked together in projects and developed their international competencies. Six students from Business Studies at Inholland Alkmaar, The Hague and Rotterdam collaborated with students from Zaragoza, Madrid, Nantes, Prague, Katowice and Gent. No less than fourteen different nationalities were involved, because students from other countries such as both Russia and Ukraine took part as well.

Cancelled in 2020, online in 2021 
Prior to the week itself, the Dutch and international students had already been able to get acquainted a little during the six-week online programme. The Erasmus+ programme itself had been cancelled due to the coronavirus-related measures in 2020 and was held completely online in 2021, so it was great to meet up in person this time.

Masterclasses, collaboration – and fun 
In the online component the students researched sustainable indexes, fiscal tax policy, sustainable reporting, financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), fintech and socially responsible investments (SRI). Then, in The Hague the students took part in a programme with a mix of lectures, masterclasses and workshops. Above all, the students learned by discussing issues with each other. And of course, time was set aside for social events too, such as a boat trip from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk and visits to Delft and The Hague.

Educational and enjoyable
On the first day, the students presented their policy papers, after which they approached the themes from a new perspective each day. On Tuesday, they held debates, on Wednesday they worked from national perspectives and on Thursday from personal perspectives. On Friday, students held the individual presentations, and it became clear this had been a highly educational and enjoyable week.

Positive student responses 
The students experienced the week as a real highlight, as indicated by the positive responses after returning home. One of the students had a great summary: ‘The more people you get to know, the more opportunities you get to learn in your life.’ Other students too were happy to share their insights into this international collaboration. 

Said: ‘It was a really nice experience to meet new people and work together with different cultures. The organisation was perfect: it was hard work, it was challenging, but there was enough free time together as well. It was fantastic!’

Bas: ‘Thanks to the programme I really felt at home. Because home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling!’

Lev: ‘Always watch out for the bikes!’

Krzystov: ‘During the first presentation my voice was shaking from nerves. After this I learned to improvise and became more self-assured.’ 

Paula: ‘I’ve learned to speak in public, to improvise in debates and to work together as an entire group instead of sticking together in smaller (national) groups.’