Home

 

Getting Experience

- # of # Filtered -

Fun And Friends In The Netherlands

Q&A with Theresa: Studied in the Netherlands
Share this
Print this
Theresa
Studied in the Netherlands
Mount Royal University
Her thoughts on Boosting Your Career
Studying abroad developed my cross-cultural communication skills and made me more approachable and unafraid – which I'll take with me into my future career.
Her thoughts on The Application Process
In writing my application, I felt the most important aspect was to show my passion for traveling, learning and experiencing new cultures.
Her thoughts on Taking It All In
I was amazed at how easy it is to travel in Europe. I visited over 15 countries during my semester abroad!

Where did you study abroad?

I studied abroad for a full fall semester, at HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen, Netherlands.

What made you want to study abroad?

The main reason I wanted to study abroad was to quench my thirst for culture and traveling. I've always had a passion for traveling, and I thought that completing a semester abroad would be a great opportunity to immerse myself in another culture while also earning school credit.

How did you search for programs? What made you select your program?

My search for programs was actually not that difficult, because my home university has a very informative and helpful International Education Office. The office had a large list of partner universities, and from that list I narrowed my choices down to my top three locations. From that point, researching online was quite easy. I chose HZ University mainly because of the international presence represented on their academic Web site, the easy access to resources, and a particular scholarship that was available through their exchange program.

Do you have any tips on writing applications and preparing for a study abroad term? What was your application process like?

In writing my application, I felt the most important aspect was to show my passion for traveling, learning and experiencing new cultures. The application process was lengthy but not difficult. It consisted of attending an information session. I was given an application form. To complete this form, I had to conduct research on my top three university choices, write an essay on why I wanted to study abroad, provide two letters of recommendation, show that I had a valid passport and that I met visa requirements, etc. After my application was submitted, I was then contacted for an interview. This interview was conducted by a team of three people from the International Education Office and consisted of common interview questions (e.g. "Why do you want to go abroad?" "How will you cope with being away from home?")

What was the biggest surprise about your study abroad experience?

The biggest surprise of my study abroad experience was the lifelong relationships I formed with the friends I met abroad. I never thought I would meet so many people from all over the world and become such close friends with them. I was fortunate enough to experience not only Dutch culture, but through meeting friends from Germany, Austria, France, the Czech Republic and other countries, I gained an understanding of other cultures too. I was also so happy to share my own culture with my new friends. I was also amazed at how easy it is to travel in Europe. I traveled to over 15 countries during my semester abroad!

Did you participate in extra-curricular or social activities abroad? If so, how did they differ from social activities in your home culture?

The university abroad had an amazing International Student Union that made all sorts of extracurricular and social activities accessible to students. I was able to connect with local Dutch students as well as international students. In class we were also encouraged to work with students from other countries, so we'd get different perspectives on school assignments.

What made your study abroad experience abroad a success?

The amazing international education programs at both my home university and at my university abroad. My university abroad really put effort into integrating all the international students and encouraging student participation through organized activities, office hours, and much more. I always felt welcome and always knew that they'd try their best to help me with whatever I needed.

What international career skills did you develop?

Living and studying abroad has developed my cross-cultural communication skills; it has made me more approachable and unafraid of taking risks -- all of which I will take with me into my future career.

What was the most important thing you learned about cross-cultural communication while you were studying abroad?

The most important thing I learned about cross-cultural communication while studying abroad was never to make assumptions that people know what you're talking about. It's important to be clear when communicating with people from other cultures, as there's a good chance certain slang terms or common phrases are not translated into other cultures. I also learned that people from other cultures all have different ways of communicating, and that misunderstandings are common. For example, the Dutch tend to be blunt when communicating, which can be construed as being rude, but it's simply how they communicate!

What was your return like?

Tearful, as I was not ready to leave! I absolutely loved my study abroad and was sad to say goodbye to friends.

What is your number one tip for anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

The number one tip I have for anyone hoping to study abroad is to keep an open mind and not to have any expectations. And to travel whenever you can!

What did you miss most about home?

I did miss my friends and family from home, but I always knew I would see them soon. I always knew that I would be with my new friends abroad for only short time. But I missed my mother's cooking! (Who doesn't?)

Do you have any final reflections on your experience?

Always look for scholarships and no matter how scary it may seem, studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience!

What are your future plans for going abroad and for your career?

This is my last semester in university and after my semester abroad, I fell in love with Europe. I have looked a few internships in Europe and spoke to an agency that matches interns with companies, but as of now I have not made a decision of where I want to go or what I want to do. I may stay in Canada and get experience in my industry, then apply for jobs abroad. The biggest factor in my decision right now is money, as most internships in Europe pay very little or nothing at all. Whether I decided to try and work abroad or not, I know that travel will be in my future no matter what!

Advice from MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey, Publisher

Theresa caught the travel bug while she was away, and she now faces a common decision: whether to stay in her home country to gain industry experience, or head back abroad to further develop her international skills. The good news is that it's possible to do both. We recommend that Theresa follow through on her proposed search for international internships. We're not sure what her industry is, but nowadays in the global workplace, almost every industry has an international component and we'd encourage her to investigate. She could also consider teaching English in a foreign country, which would provide her with stable financial income and she could pursue additional side contracts and professional opportunities in her field while teaching.

Theresa's Next Steps
Advice from MyWorldAbroad
by the founder of MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey
Want to Have the Same Experience?
9747
- # of # Filtered -
  • 102
102
10923
Insight And Education In Korea
1
16392
Building International Career Skills Online
2
16320
Independent, International, Virtual! A UN Internship Online
3
16382
Making the Most of Lockdown with a Virtual Internship
4
16312
Virtual Internship for a Cross-cultural Future
5
16157
Zoom Zoom! A Virtual Internship with Central America
6
9775
A Year Of Feeling French
7
10153
China, South Africa And Beyond!
8
9776
Soaking Up Japanese Culture
9
9764
Do It Yourself! A Proactive Intern in Rome
10
15631
An International Career in the Making: Asia, Africa and Beyond
11
15405
From Daydream to Reality: Teaching Abroad
12
15401
From Korea to Oman: Teaching English Around the World!
13
9761
Communicating Creatively In Spain
14
9773
Independent In India
15
9791
Making Contacts Count In The UK
16
9740
Sports, Study And Fun In France
17
9743
Hooked On Volunteering!
18
16316
Exploring the Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Mexico City
19
16387
An Epic Internship in Malaysia
20
9756
Springtime In Spain
21
9763
A Professional Visit To Vietnam
22
9780
A Year In Marvelous Mexico!
23
9751
A Canadian Globe-Trotter Visits The US
24
9768
Going Solo In Spain!
25
10188
Now Or Never In Colombia
26
9792
Rolling With The Punches In Seoul
27
9745
An Unforgettable Adventure In Nanjing
28
9774
Gaga For Ghana!
29
9783
Off The Beaten Path In Africa
30
9755
People, Places And Passionate Volunteering In Peru
31
9778
Study And Adventure In New Zealand
32
9777
Into The Wild In Alaska
33
9754
Building Memories In India
34
9750
Host Hospitality In Morocco
35
9747
Fun And Friends In The Netherlands
36
9748
Adventure In The Alps
37
9786
Kids And Culture In Korea
38
9772
Learning To Go With The Flow In France
39
9762
American Freshman In London
40
9771
Learning To Love London
41
9742
Take-Charge Travel: Germany And Beyond!
42
9746
A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa
43
9760
Getting In Sync In Nairobi
44
9759
From Cold Feet To Confidence In Germany
45
9779
One Summer, Two Internships!
46
9785
Motivated In Madagascar
47
9741
Adapting to Work In Peru
48
9784
Skill-building in Bonn
49
9753
A Season in Sweden
50
9765
Simpatico in Florence
51
9782
Making The Most Of Milano
52
9737
Passionate About Panama
53
9766
Short-Term Trips For Long-Term Gain
54
9781
A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica
55
9789
Loving Life In Lyon
56
9790
Design And Dining In Korea
57
9770
Contributing To Change In Ghana
58
9757
Teaching And Learning In Tanzania
59
9738
Living For The Moment In Valencia
60
9767
Beyond The Call Of Duty In Africa
61
16174
An Empowering Virtual Internship in Nicaragua
62
9744
Food, Fun And Festivals In Germany
63
16161
A Bright & Friendly Cross-cultural Workspace
64
16017
A Globally-minded Visit to Qatar
65
10204
Across Europe In A Caravan!
66
9758
Learning The Local Ways Of Addis Ababa
67
11645
A Love Affair with Shanghai
68
11996
Daring to Go Solo in Ireland
69
12058
Architectural Adventures in Australia
70
11845
Hospitality and Hosting in the DCR
71
15333
A Literary Education in the UK
72
14088
An Eye-opening Experience Teaching in South Korea
73
14483
Finding Home, By Teaching Abroad
74
14594
Growing Abroad: Hong Kong & South Korea
75
15347
12 Months, 12 Countries!
76
15383
Hustle and Bustle in Vietnam
77
15327
An Open Mind & Open Arms in Spain
78
15387
Bliss on a Budget in Brazil
79
15644
Discovering the World on Campus: International Skills at Home
80
11467
Stepping Outside the Box in Sweden!
81
9752
Giving In Guatemala
82
9769
Getting Sporty In Switzerland!
83
9788
Business And Pleasure In Australia
84
9787
A Spring Semester in London
85
9807
Fast Friendship in Korea
86
11557
Un stage au Cambodge (Français)
87
10230
Getting Caffeinated In Bolivia
88
11468
Learning While Teaching in Beijing
89
10145
Real Stories And Real People In Mexico
90
9803
Ten Years Teaching In Seoul
91
10851
Tips From Tasmania
92
9799
Getting Settled In Seoul
93
10258
Encountering Cultures Across Europe
94
10218
Adaptation And Appreciation In Japan
95
9812
Caring And Career Skills In Belize
96
10157
Changing Course In China
97
11850
The Warmest Welcome in Guatemala
98
11904
Enthusiasm, Education and Experience in Greece
99
10163
English Teaching In Eastern Europe
100
10192
Out And About In Paris
101
10143
A Warm Welcome In Mexico
102
9747
All Job Boards
452
All NGOs
1427
Au Pair Resources
39
Awards & Grants Resources
64
Business Directories
21
Canadian Federal, Provincial & Territorial Government Profiles
60
Canadian Government Resources
31
Children And Families Abroad
5
Consulting, Economics & Finance Job Boards
61
Cross-cultural Skills
123
Engineering Job Boards
62
Engineering Resources
81
Expatriate Networking Sites
29
Foreign Students Working in the US
9
Freelancing Abroad
33
General Job Search Books
16
Global Education & Social Action
65
Health & Medicine Job Boards
51
Health Career Resources
72
International Associations with Clubs on Campus
43
International Development Career Resources
87
International Internship Organizations
312
International Internships & Student Programs with Canadian Governments
35
International Internships with the US Government
38
International Job-hunting Resources
16
International Law Careers Resources
115
International Law Job Boards
28
International Studies in the US & Canada
13
International Trade Resources
25
International Volunteer Organizations
488
Internship Directories & Advice
53
Internships with the UN & Other IGOs
160
Language Careers
32
Learn a Language
115
Licensed Teacher Abroad Job Boards
35
Licensed Teacher Abroad Resources
39
Loans for Studying Abroad
18
Low-cost Travel
72
NGO Directories
33
NGO Job Boards
49
Regional Job Boards
107
Relocating Abroad
7
Resources for International Students Studying in Canada
31
Resources for International Students Studying in the US
48
Stories From Abroad
102
Study Abroad Resources
203
Teach English Abroad Job Boards
100
Teach English Abroad Resources
76
Tools for Travelers
91
Top International Blogs & Podcasts
85
Travel Guides
101
Travel Health & Safety
55
UN & Other IGOs
271
UN & Other IGOs Job Boards
27
UN & Other IGOs Resources
74
US Government Profiles
76
US Government Resources
47
Virtual International Internship Organizations
93
Volunteer Job Boards & Advice
65
Working Holiday Resources
78