Lowering barriers
Fourth year student Josh Doromal developed a digital platform that allows users not only to reserve the OBA Next Lab space, but also to explain what kind of event or activity they want to organise. “It’s more than just a booking system,” Josh explains. “The platform provides information about the OBA Next Lab and shows what’s possible there. It also serves as a space where people can connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired.” Josh’s goal is to lower the threshold for use and make it easier to bring the lab to life.

The platform is currently in a testing phase. Users who make a reservation now are asked to provide feedback, which Josh is using to improve the system. In the coming months, the platform will be optimized so it can function independently, allowing users to organise events without staff involvement.

Visualising with AI
Along with five fellow second year students, Given Klemann is working on an innovative book club concept. “We want to start a book club in the OBA Next Lab where AI plays a role in how people perceive a story,” Given says. “For example, you read a page from a book, and then our AI tool helps you visualize how you imagine the characters. You then compare that with others and discuss why your interpretations differ. That leads to some really interesting conversations.”

Their AI generator is still in development, but on April 23 they will test the first prototype during a co-creation session. Participants will read a page from a book, describe how they envision the story, and see a visual representation of that interpretation. These images will then be used to spark discussion within the group. According to Given, it’s a playful and low-key way to reflect on literature and share different perspectives.

Connecting with the city
Laura Brongers, one of the OBA Next Lab’s coordinators, says these are exactly the types of projects the lab was meant for. “We don’t just want the OBA Next Lab to be a space for activities, but a real third space – a place that people see as their own and can help shape,” she explains. “We can think up all kinds of ideas, but it’s much more powerful when people come up with things they care about. These student projects really help us make that happen.”

With their book club concept, the students are not only exploring ways to make reading more appealing, but also how AI can be used to create deeper connections between readers. Laura: “It’s great to see students thinking creatively about the library of the future. They’re helping us innovate and build stronger ties with the city. And the same goes for Josh’s platform: it helps to increase the visibility and use of the OBA Next Lab – by students, staff, and Amsterdam residents alike.”

The Student Success Centre Amsterdam introduces a meditation innovation: in the brand-new simulation lab, you can let your daily worries slip away from you even better, as you are completely immersed in a different environment.

A crowing rooster, a moped in the distance, a gong, views of a volcano, a subtle citrus scent. You imagine yourself in Bali. Meanwhile, a quiet voice guides you through a meditation and 15 minutes later you are back outside relaxed, recharged for the rest of your day. The first meditation sessions in the simulation lab during Mental Health Day were a great success. Reason enough to repeat them monthly with different themes and meditation facilitators.

Where do we go?

• On Monday 25 November, we will revisit Bali, for some summer vibes in this bleak month.
• During the Christmas party on Tuesday 17 December, you can unwind at one of three sessions - including one at the North Pole (the rest is a surprise 😉).
• Monday 20 January we dive into the underwater world during Blue Monday.
• Thursday, 13 February, you ca feel the love while enjoying a Thai sunset (because: almost Valentine's Day).

Practical

•        For whom                                            Students and teachers of Inholland UAS
•        Dates                                                     25/11, 17/12, 20/1, 13/2
•        Time                                                       12.00 & 12.30 - except on 17/12 then 16.30, 17.00, 17.30
•        Location                                               Simulation lab 03.150
•        Meditation guides                          Karin Hoens, Natalie van Gils, Kristel Hartog.
•        Language                                             Depending on participants: Dutch/English
•        Experience with meditation     Not required
•        Registration                                       Not necessary, you can just walk in!

Treat yourself to this experience, see you then!

The Leisure & Tourism Lab (ULTL), with locations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, has been accepted as a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). This makes them the first lab focused on tourism and leisure to be admitted to this network, a remarkable achievement! ENoLL is the international, non-profit, independent association of benchmarked Living Labs. Their objective is to foster the global development of Living Labs as open innovation ecosystems based on co-creation and cross border & cross-sectoral collaboration. In their assessment of the ULTL, ENoLL says: “ULTL shows a strong and inclusive governance model, engaging a wide range of stakeholders effectively. Also, a solid track record in running living lab projects, with a focus on urban leisure and tourism is presented and it demonstrates as well a clear interest in regional and international innovation. Their considerable experience in living lab operations is supported by compelling proof.

Peggy van Schijndel, managing director of the Creative Business Research Center: “This accreditation by ENoLL is a wonderful recognition and appreciation by external partners and experts for the way of working we have built up over the years: not just doing quick research, but making long-term contributions to an area and an issue. Not thinking in quick fixes for complex problems, but developing interventions that increase the involvement of all stakeholders and their understanding of the complexity. This is also how we learn about methods of co-creation and participation. Last week, two more groups of young professionals started in these labs, bringing in knowledge from their discipline, from experience in the field, from their personal experience as visitors or tourists - and very valuable: often also local knowledge as residents.”

The Leisure & Tourism Lab (ULTL), with locations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, has been accepted as a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). This makes them the first lab focused on tourism and leisure to be admitted to this network, a remarkable achievement! ENoLL is the international, non-profit, independent association of benchmarked Living Labs. Their objective is to foster the global development of Living Labs as open innovation ecosystems based on co-creation and cross border & cross-sectoral collaboration. In their assessment of the ULTL, ENoLL says: “ULTL shows a strong and inclusive governance model, engaging a wide range of stakeholders effectively. Also, a solid track record in running living lab projects, with a focus on urban leisure and tourism is presented and it demonstrates as well a clear interest in regional and international innovation. Their considerable experience in living lab operations is supported by compelling proof.

From the Creative Business Research Center, the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab was the first to apply for accreditation by ENoLL with the aim of gaining experience with membership of the network: what can we contribute to the network and how does it benefit us? With this experience, we can see if it could also make sense for the other labs within our faculty to apply for membership.

Peggy van Schijndel, managing director of the Creative Business Research Center: "I am proud of the colleagues and partners who, for years, have allowed these living labs to become beautiful places for learning and development, of the students who, year after year, demonstrate their valuable contributions, and of the unique blend of expertise that we as Creative Business Research Center bring to the research in these living labs: in the field of systemic co-design as well as regenerative placemaking and sustainable tourism. The issues are big and complex, and we feel the urgency to contribute to them though practice-based research every day. I am confident that membership of ENoLL is going to help us grow to the next stage!"

DigiQuest is organized by Inholland University of Applied Sciences and IBCOL. The student-focused event is scheduled for November 17 at the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. In this impact-driven gathering, students and professionals will explore together how developments such as blockchain, AI, and big data can contribute to solving the big challenges society is facing today.

Blockchain Olympiad
In 2020, Inholland University of Applied Sciences participated for the first time in the International Blockchain Olympiad, an annual competition for students. Participants are challenged to solve social issues using emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Inholland came in third that year. That stage award in the prestigious competition got attention and sparked conversation. This is how the idea was born to bring the Olympiad to Amsterdam.

Project leader Richard John: "We were keen to collaborate with the Olympiad to find even more creative answers to the big problems we face today. It was our wish to set up a bigger event around the Olympiad. We are proud that this year's Olympiad is taking place in Europe for the first time, having previously been held in Hong Kong, Canada, and Bangladesh, among others. On November 17, students and partners will immerse themselves in the Nemo Science Museum, Amsterdam, to learn how you can use technology to influence the future."

Leap forward
Initiator Peggy van Schijndel: "Beyond just showcasing the role technology can play in social innovation, the initiative is focused on making a tangible contribution to society. This is achieved by having students work on real social challenges presented by our partner organisations, including companies like Deloitte, The Next Web, and OpenAI, as well as non-profit organisations like Oxfam Novib and The Rainforest Alliance. They will pitch diverse challenges during various workshops that will be taken up by students. We are in an important phase of technical development and innovation. It is a leap forward that also makes us face new challenges, for example, in the areas of rights, inclusion, privacy, and data ownership. These issues will all be addressed."

During the event, there will be panel discussions and active workshops, for example, on education for Generation Z and the societal side of this development, such as privacy and human rights. Richard: "Digital space is going to play an important role in education. That's why Inholland already wants to embed it as much as possible in tuition. It is very nice that we can explore this development together with so many partners from the field. The international aspect of the event, with participation from students around the world, adds a valuable global perspective to the discussions. It's fascinating to hear how students from different cultural backgrounds perceive and adapt to these digital advancements.”

Intersection between technology and society
Peggy: "DigiQuest is open to anyone who recognizes the importance of incorporating technology to address significant societal challenges. While the event welcomes participants with technical expertise, it particularly emphasizes the inclusion of students from a variety of fields, such as Creative Business, innovation, care and welfare. They may have less knowledge of technology, but they are aware of the social issues at stake. It's really about that intersection between these technical developments and pressing issues."

The event thus targets a wide audience, including students from other educational institutions who are participating in the Olympiad. The municipality of Amsterdam will issue a challenge for secondary school students. They will investigate how technology can be used to solve a typical urban issue. "That way, there is something for everyone," Richard says. "For a start, it's a great opportunity for our students to get to know the business community and future employers. Furthermore, during DigiQuest you will learn how to use AI and blockchain for your own future, both professionally and personally. And finally, it's just a fun day where you meet students from all over the world and have free access to Nemo."

Learn more and register now!

ITEA is a career day for (international) students and graduates who are looking for a job or an internship in the Amsterdam metropolitan area. The event creates an opportunity to meet interesting internationally oriented start-ups, scale-ups and corporates. ITEA is a joint cooperation of Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the University of Amsterdam, VU University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Focus on circular economy
All took place in an informal and playful environment that is perfect for networking. During the job fair the actual companies could meet students through interactive sessions. Several workshops and pitches were given by companies such as Waldom, AB InBev, Henckel and Gartner on multiple topics.

This year’s focus was on circular economy. It showed how companies in a changing world deal with the growing impact of sustainability to eliminate waste and to re-use natural resources. Panel discussions allowed to dive deeper into this subject.

Key-note speakers such as Herman Mulder (Chair SDG Impact Economy Foundation) and Jos Akkermans (VU Associate professor Sustainable Careers and Organizational Behavior), and a workshop on the best ways to apply by Adams Multilingual Recruitment made it look like a live event.

Personal career advice
An interesting extra feature of ITEA is the personal career advice by professional career coaches in one-on-one sessions. Many Inholland students benefited from this free coaching. Inholland students represented 20% of all attendees, a new record!

One of the highlights was the panel of three international alumni of Inholland who were interviewed about their experiences after graduation.

Students who took part in the Creative Growth Initiative (CGI) SLUIS Lab, the Creative Growth Experience (CGE) SLUIS Lab and the CGE ULT Lab minors delivered amazing, sustainable connective concepts, as shown by the various online final presentations. Many of the student teams focused on issues relating to the Sluis neighbourhood on Zeeburgereiland, to which Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam/Diemen will relocate in a few years’ time.

Social function
Good access is extremely important not just for Inholland students and colleagues, for instance, but also for neighbourhood residents and businesses planning to set up operations in the new district. It all starts with a ferry that will provide a temporary connection between the Eastern Harbour Docklands and Zeeburgereiland. The municipality of Amsterdam is already studying the possibilities for installing a temporary ferry line and the related infrastructure measures and products. But how great would it be if the ferry had a social function as well? Where neighbourhood residents can connect with each other? Two student teams mulled over this in the SLUIS Lab.

Team 1 consists of Nancy, Celine, Annemieke, Linda, Daniela, Bodil and Volkan, from the following degree programmes: AD Event Facilities Management, Tourism Management, Creative Business and Business IT & Management. They devised a concept consisting of two elements: a digiboard on the ferry, on which people can post a notice using their smartphone and a QR code, plus an interactive map on the floor of the ferry.

Notices
Annemieke explains what the concept is all about: 'All kinds of notices can be put up on a digiboard. A notice from a group of women, for instance, who are planning to set up a singing club and are still looking for members. Or a notice from a single mum who needs a babysitter for her little boy. People can post notices using their smartphone, but they can only be read on the digiboard because we don’t want everyone to be glued to their phones all the time.'

'We’re looking for a longer connection between people than a fleeting conversation on the ferry', Celine adds. 'That’s what we’re aiming to achieve with the notices on the digiboard. If people respond and make contact with each other, a sustainable connection will be created. We’re just giving them a little push.'

Drawing inspiration from museums, the group also came up with the idea of integrating an interactive map into the floor of the ferry. 'People can stand on a dot to find out more information about things they find interesting.' What does Zeeburgereiland have to offer? What are the best local restaurants? People will also see interesting facts about the neighbourhood or a piece of history.

Saving coffee points
Nicole, Kylie, Jennifer, Sven, Benthe, Manon and Roni in team 2 also came up with a digital platform in the form of an interactive screen, but the way in which it works is completely different. ‘Smart Together’ offers people the opportunity to play contemporary and old Dutch games with fellow passengers using free WiFi and their own smartphones in the middle of the ferry. People can also save coffee points, read the newsletter, look at hotspots in the neighbourhood or take part in neighbourhood opinion polls. Roni and Berthe provide more details: 'Even without a mobile phone, people can still play games in an analogue way. And locally run coffee stalls are located on both wharfs.' The team encourages passengers in a playful manner to deposit their empty coffee cups in the rubbish bin.

Peter Blummel, environmental manager at the municipality of Amsterdam responded enthusiastically: 'Your idea of making the ferry a place where people can drink coffee is really great. It will create a moment of relaxation and will indeed bring people into contact with each other. And you can do many different things using the platform. Things like saving coffee points: it’s the small things that will contribute to an enjoyable ferry experience.' He also finds the digiboard and floor map created by team 1 interesting ideas: 'Many people in such a new district are in the process of discovering who the other residents are and how they can help each other. I believe that a floor map is a good talking point on the ferry.'

Temporary settlement
Aside from the above, many more great experience concepts were developed, which will contribute to building a pleasant and liveable Zeeburgereiland. One such concept is SluisBox, an intergenerational jukebox that will play the collective music tastes of the islanders, which people can listen to in a park together. And Sluisdorp, a temporary, movable settlement offering music, food trucks, a playground, games, an interactive wall, a market, a stage, a pub, a book corner where workshops will also be held and a sports corner. Plus Waste = Food, a sustainability experience accessible to the public featuring ‘edutainment’ for and by residents of North Amsterdam, where people can learn from each other how to recycle food. The latter concept was developed by the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab (ULT Lab).

Sharmilee Jayakkumaran, urban designer at the municipality of Amsterdam, is eager to implement a number of ideas. 'What I really appreciate is that we’ve learned a lot from each other during this process. This educational concept is so valuable.'

The FM degree programme contacted the service organisation a few months ago: 'We talked to Facilities Management to see whether we could carry out any experiments that would be beneficial to us later in the Sluis neighbourhood', explains Elze Reitsema, lecturer in Workplace & Real Estate Management (minor). 'I saw the Creative Growth Initiative programme as an example. A dedicated space was designed especially for project-based working under that programme but I just wanted to go the extra mile in creating a dedicated project space for our students.'

Design freedom
No more classes, but all eighty first-year students in one learning landscape, with lecturers in their midst to offer them support every day, where necessary. That was the idea. 'For such a large number of students, you would now need to break open an entire wing, ha ha!’ Within the Workplace & Real Estate Management minor, where third-year students focus on accommodation and the use of space, eight teams designed a learning space for their future fellow students. Each group came up with their own solution. Elze: 'The space on the first floor (A1.18 and A1.20) had already been designated and we also set out a number of framework conditions, but they were given complete design freedom within those constraints.'

Myrthe Dortants, whose work in the service organisation involves facilities management and accommodation, has been appointed project leader of the refurbishment of the two former classrooms, together with Merel de Boer. 'I’ve seen proposals containing really exceptional and creative ideas. We had a clear top 3 of best designs, but we ultimately selected the best elements from among all eight proposals, which actually closely matched the image that we ourselves had envisaged. We are currently fine-tuning the ideas, to determine, for example, especially during this coronavirus pandemic, which audiovisual media we can additionally use to create a good connection with students at home, so that we can work together in that way. We will give the green light shortly and start with the refurbishment and furnishings and fittings this summer.'

Shared experience
The focus is on first-year students, especially given that the 1.5-metre society will be maintained in the Netherlands for the time being: no more than 20-25 students are allowed to be in the room at the same time. Myrthe: 'Senior students should also be given the opportunity to share the experience and feel invited to work together. We have therefore incorporated the lobby and other nearby work spaces. This will make the entire floor an attractive space for studying. It is also rewarding to instantly recognise that this is the location of the FM degree programme.' Elze adds: 'Moreover, the learning space will not be locked. I expect that it will almost always be occupied. For the rest, you would need a crystal ball to predict developments in the coming months. I believe it is important to engage with first-year students. You won’t achieve this with a computer screen. I don’t believe in that. That’s why it’s positive that a relatively large amount of on-site time will be reserved for first-year students in Diemen.'

What design ideas will now actually be used for the learning space? 'We will start working with zones, for example, each of which will be assigned their own colour', Myrthe explains. 'The leisure space will be green and the focus space yellow. Group work will take place in the blue zone. We will use those colours on the furniture and walls. Furthermore, we have selected a diverse range of furniture: alternating between high and low, project tables, train seating and a gallery for presentations. A cork wall will be installed where students can go wild and hang up all kinds of things, so that they can be easily visualised. It should actually start feeling like their own space.'

New building in the Sluis neighbourhood
'I see a shift in the use of space', says Elze. 'To be able to focus, you work from home, whereas you meet up and work together in a building. A different division of space is increasingly being used in education buildings, with sloping floors and large galleries often integrating seating areas.' Myrthe chips in: 'In our new building in the Sluis neighbourhood, the entrance hall has the form of a gallery. It wraps around the floors. The gallery form can be used not only for events, but also for meeting up and working together. Many more learning spaces will be created in addition to theory rooms. That’s why it’s really beneficial that we’re now already working with this in Diemen.'

Elze: 'Our education will be designed around practical issues. The beauty of it is that we immediately dealt with this practical issue. The collaboration between the Inholland FM degree programme and the FM department really is a win-win situation. We have also been helping each other in other areas in the recent period. A group of students, for example, took it upon themselves to work on coronavirus measures in our building. That’s a welcome development, in my view.'

The coronavirus has a huge impact on the tourism and cultural sector worldwide. For the first time, the streets of Amsterdam are empty. No more complaints about Airbnb taking over neighbourhoods or the constant crackle of suitcase wheels on the pavement. Hotels, museums and tourism companies however, are facing a difficult future.

In this LIVECAST Inholland University of Applied Sciences and Pakhuis de Zwijger will focus on the impact of the crisis on the tourism and cultural sector. We will also zoom in on the possibilities for innovation and digitalization of the cultural sector. What can be learned from this crisis and how can we use this time to rethink the tourism sector?

We will do this together with the following speakers:

• Ko Koens, Professor of New Urban Tourism (Inholland University of Applied Sciences)
• Claudio Milano, Researcher, lecturer and consultant in tourism (Ostelea & Autonomous University of Barcelona)
• Maaike Verberk, director at the DEN institute for culture and digitalisation
• Rudolf Buurma, Managing director Stichting Bezoek Amsterdam

Watch Fair Tourism #2 The Future of Tourism for free through the LIVECAST or participate in the Zoom webinar. Make sure to register here to guarantee your online spot.

We hope to see you online this Monday evening the 20^th of April at 6:30 pm!

This is the second program in the Fair Tourism series, which Inholland University of Applied Sciences and Pakhuis de Zwijger jointly organize.

Amsterdam is grappling with the repercussions of mass tourism. In fact, the city is suffering from a 'tourism surplus', with large numbers of tourists causing annoyance to local residents. Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the North Amsterdam Tourism Industry Platform (TOP) and Pakhuis de Zwijger decided it was high time to exchange knowledge. The partners joined forces to organise the Fair Tourism Urban Conference during the WeMakeThe.City (WMTC) festival in Amsterdam.

Sustainable co-creation innovations from cities throughout Europe will be presented at the Fair Tourism conference in the afternoon of Tuesday 18 June. The event will explore Amsterdam – and, more specifically, Amsterdam-Noord – from an international perspective. Amsterdam will need all its stakeholders to take responsibility and develop more inclusive and sustainable forms of tourism. How can local businesses, local government agencies and residents work together to change the way tourists spend their time and money in the city?

Digital nomadism
The day's first keynote speaker Claudio Milano, lecturer and researcher at the Ostelea School of Tourism & Hospitality in Barcelona, sees the boundaries between tourists and local residents blurring: we are seeing the rise of digital nomadism, whereby new, temporary residents flow into our cities and countries.

Charles Landry, an author and international advisor on the future of cities, also makes reference to a nomadic world: a growing number of people are travelling the globe. Businesspeople, refugees, students, tourists. Our notions of space, location and time are in flux. For example, public spaces are increasingly multifunctional and can no longer be pigeon-holed in terms of design or image. As a case in point, he mentions a Berlin bank designed to look like a meditation centre. These days, we also tend to spend more time in the virtual world than the physical one.

Meaningful encounters
Rather than focusing on the obvious problems of mass tourism, Landry takes a broader view: "How do we create meaningful encounters and relationships in a transforming world? What do we take from our environment, and what do we have to give in return?' Cities that currently hold less appeal to ambitious modern-day nomads can take fate into their own hands. 'Find your unique niches!' This will help ensure a more even distribution of travellers and residents. The two men both envisage a key role for governance. 'The political field isn't keeping pace with the changes around us", Landry explains.

The keynote speeches will be followed by contributions from Fairbnb and www.untouristguide.com, two initiatives that benefit the city and local economy. Ewout Versloot of Rotterdam and Partners will share his experiences with Rotterdam's new tourism policy, which is primarily focused around the city's needs and tourists' potential contribution to these goals. Various special projects have been established as a part of this strategy.

A home for creators
Everyone head for Amsterdam-Noord! Eva de Klerk of TOP Amsterdam-Noord explains: "We are a home to creators and many community-based initiatives. These ideas tend to attract various subcultures once they start to take shape." While she would also like to see new tourism policies, she feels these should be co-designed by the community. "We want a seat at the table in order to develop policies with municipal authorities, businesses and other stakeholders."

TOP assigned Inholland Tourism students to develop a profile of visitors to Amsterdam-Noord. As student Coen van der Meer explains, their research showed that visitors generally don't read up on Amsterdam-Noord before visiting. They basically come to see the IAMSTERDAM letters, A'DAM Tower and Eye museum, and have no idea about the other sights and activities. The students advised TOP to create a hotspot next to the Eye film museum, with features such as a large playground, fountain or arts centre.

IJamaze
Another group of students developed ‘IJamaze’, a platform that allows tourists and local residents to take part in joint activities. "Tourists get to experience an authentic part of Amsterdam-Noord, while local residents have a sense of ownership over the activities", explains student Kathleen Umbdenstov.

The conference ended with a panel debate on potential solutions to Amsterdam's tourist surplus: should we simply restrict tourism in certain areas? Perhaps we should make more efforts to involve residents in local activities? The issues prove difficult to resolve: plenty of room for further debate, in other words.

"I’ve given a variety of lectures to a large audience at 'Chula', also to recruit students as a boost for our own publicity", Wim enthusiastically reports from Bangkok. "Both students and staff are extremely pleased, so it’s been a success! One of my lectures was about visual and creative thinking, for example. It was three hours long, with some 90 students attending. I gave an assignment during this lecture on which, after my return, the lecturers at Chulalongkorn and I will give each other mutual feedback as a new start within our partnership."

More to come in March
Along the way, Wim received another exciting invitation. "My livestreamed lectures were so well-received that the Faculty of Communication Arts has asked me to organise a seminar on multisensory communication, together with colleagues from New York, Iowa, Vancouver and Brussels! I’ve also been asked to speak on behalf of Inholland at this seminar, where the audience will include academics and representatives from the professional field. What an honour! It’s also a wonderful opportunity for Inholland’s promotion and recruitment. The seminar will consist of TED Talk-like sessions and livestreamed workshops, with the entire Thai press invited to attend. This will have enormous appeal since Chula is Thailand’s most important national research university and has an excellent reputation both in Asia and worldwide."

Inholland has had a partnership with Chulalongkorn University for student and lecturer exchanges since 2015. To date, eight students from Chulalongkorn have studied at Inholland and eight adventurous Inholland students have gone overseas to study at Chulalongkorn.

Studying in Thailand: a ‘life-changing experience’
Wim Honders also visited Stefanie Liu, who is currently in Bangkok studying for her Inholland Communication degree and loving every minute of it. "I decided to study abroad because I want to improve my English, and the best way to do that is by being in an international setting. Thailand was the best option for me. This is really a life-changing experience! I have a sense of total freedom. The Chulalongkorn University campus is gigantic and gorgeous! In addition to studying, I also have the chance to explore Thailand and see its beautiful islands."

She encourages other students to follow her example. "I want to be independent. That’s why I chose a country as far away from the Netherlands as possible, so that it wouldn’t be as easy for me to rely on my parents. Sometimes it’s good to pick a country that you’re completely unfamiliar with: a country you’ve never visited, whose language you don’t speak and where you don’t know anyone. That’s where the real adventure begins!"