After finishing Secondary School, I had not yet decided exactly where or what I wanted to study. The only thing I knew was that my future should somehow be connected to tourism.
The programmes I found in my home country focused mainly on traditional tourism, but I wanted something broader and more closely related to wellness. While researching universities, I discovered Kastu, where I could compare programmes in several European countries.
That was how I found HZ University of Applied Sciences and its Vitality and Tourism Management programme.
The programme immediately stood out because it offered much more than tourism alone. It combined subjects related to spas and wellness with business, finance, management, and digital communication.
This variety gave me the freedom to explore different interests rather than limiting myself to one narrow career path. After graduation, students could consider opportunities in tourism, hospitality, wellness, management, or business.
One thing that initially surprised me was having four examination periods during the academic year. At first, I thought that taking exams so frequently would make the programme more difficult.
After completing my first examination period, however, I realised that the system actually made studying more manageable. Because each exam covered a shorter period, there was less material to revise at once.
The subjects I enjoyed most were Spa and Wellness and E-Business.
I liked studying wellness because much of the knowledge could also be applied to everyday life. E-Business was equally interesting because it helped me understand social media, online communication, and how businesses can create opportunities on the internet.
The programme also included excursions to other cities and countries, including visits to wellness centres and industry fairs. These experiences allowed us to see how the sector works outside the classroom and connect our studies with real organisations.
The greatest challenge for me at the beginning was English.
I did not feel confident about my language skills and often needed to look up unfamiliar academic terms. During the first months, everything required more concentration, and I was sometimes afraid of making mistakes.
However, my English improved quickly because I pushed myself to communicate with other students. From the first days, I made close friends who supported me and helped me feel more comfortable speaking.
Eventually, I stopped being afraid of making mistakes.
Living and studying in English every day taught me more than language lessons alone ever could. I became more confident simply because I had to use English while studying, socialising, shopping, and organising everyday life.
My advice to future international students is to be brave when meeting new people. Do not remain silent because you are worried about your English.
Speaking helps you improve, but it also helps you build friendships and become part of the international community.
I created a close group of friends from different parts of the world. We studied together, cooked dinners, attended events, and spent our free time together.
Meeting people from different cultures became one of the most valuable parts of studying abroad. Every person brought different traditions, opinions, and experiences into our group.
Student life in Vlissingen was active and enjoyable. Students regularly organised parties, evenings in local bars, trips to other cities, and road trips. During warmer months, the beach became one of our favourite places to relax, meet friends, and play volleyball.
Some students also worked alongside their studies. International students often found positions in hotels and hospitality, where English could be sufficient for certain roles.
I worked in a bar, which required some knowledge of Dutch. This encouraged me to take the language more seriously because improving it could help me receive more working hours and communicate more confidently with local customers.
Students interested in part-time work should begin searching early. Hotels and other seasonal businesses may recruit additional employees at the beginning of busy periods.
Living costs depend greatly on your lifestyle. Students who plan their spending, cook at home, and avoid unnecessary purchases can manage their budget much more easily.
Looking back, I am very satisfied that I chose HZ because the programme reflected what I had been searching for.
It gave me the opportunity to combine tourism with wellness and business, improve my English, gain international experience, and build friendships with people from around the world.
To anyone considering studying abroad, my advice is simple: do not let shyness or uncertainty stop you from trying.
You can improve your language, become more independent, gain a strong education, and create an international network that may support you throughout your future career.
Studying abroad is not only about choosing a university. It is an opportunity to discover new interests, new people, and a much more confident version of yourself.
