Below you can find the students that make up the International Student Team (ISTeam):
Martijn Spee
General Coordinator ISTeam
My name is Martijn Spee and am currently a fourth year
International Business & Management student at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen (Hanze UAS). Tall, blond hair and blue eyes; a typical Dutch looking student who has a passion for new cultures and International Business.
I definitely know how it feels to move to a new city because I have been in that same boat many times before. I went on a High School exchange programme for a year in Halifax, Canada where I got the hang of the English Language. One year later, I left my home city to experience the real student life in Groningen. Due to my international study, I got the chance to meet people from all over the world and to experience the real international work atmosphere. The third year at the International Business School is a year abroad divided up in a internship and a study semester at a foreign Partner University. I gained some great marketing skills at a fashion company in New York City and I just came back from a great study semester abroad in Bilbao, Spain where I experienced the real Basque/Spanish culture.
As the General Coordinator of the International student team I am responsible for the overall management of this team and to make sure that all students get the best possible help regarding their study time in Groningen. Do not hesitate to contact me or any other team member for your questions. There are many different tools that we use to do this such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, VKontakte, RenRen, YouTube and much more. Click on one of the hyperlinks if you want to get in touch with or find out more about us. We are more than happy to help you prepare for the best student period of your life.
Mihaela Trifonova Panayotova
Follow-up Coordinator Bulgaria Specialist
My name is Mihaela and I am from Veliko Tarnovo; a cultural and
historical city in Northern Bulgaria. I am a second year International Communication student at Hanze UAS and proud member of the ISTeam.
In 2011 I graduated from the High School of Languages in my hometown with a major in the French and English language. At the age of five, I started to practice traditional Bulgarian folk dances. They present for me a source of patriotism and national pride. Our dance group had a repertoire in which were included characteristic dances from all the ethnographical regions in Bulgaria.
We had taken part in different international festivals for traditional dances every year. We have visited Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Poland, Greece, Turkey etc. At the age of 16, I started my first job as a guide in the Information Office in Veliko Tarnovo. My aim was to introduce Bulgarian culture and traditions to all foreign visitors. It was a good oppurtunity for me to meet many different people from all over the world.
All this international experience which I have will help me to work easier with international students from all parts of the world. Studying about cultures at Hanze UAS helps me to communicate with different nations and to understand them.
The reason for joining the ISTeam is to help other international students like me who want to come and study at Hanze UAS. As the Follow-up coordinator, my responsibilities are to stay in touch with as many prospective students as possible. I promise you that you are going to receive an answer to all your questions – Hanze UAS, life in Groningen, and everything else that might be interesting for you. I am sure that the entire ISTeam is going to help you find the best possible study programme.
Do not hesitate to contact us!
Anastasija Timoseva
Follow-up assistant / Latvia Specialist
My name is Anastasija and I come from Liepaja. It is a Latvian city
that is located on the Baltic sea coast.
I am a second year student of the International Communication programme in Hanze UAS. The reason why I have went so far away from my homeland was to gain new life experience by meeting people from other countries and exploring the cultural differences. It feels like going to Groningen was a good decision for me because my study programme is in many ways similar to my new life. I can apply all the theory from classes during my spare time. Therefore, gained knowledge at Hanze UAS has a great value to me, not only in my working but also in my daily communication.
Since my first year of studies I was interested in spreading the word and share my experience about Hanze UAS. This is how I found ISTeam. I helped the ISTeam by contacting Latvian prospective students and answering the questions of future students of Hanze UAS.
I am enjoying my life and studies in Groningen. Therefore, I want to share my experience with new prospective students. As the follow-up assistant, I will be available to help if you got any questions about practical matters of life in Groningen, as well as study programmes and opportunities at Hanze UAS. I will do my best to provide you with sufficient information. Please do not hesitate to contact me or ISTeam members for more information. We will be happy to help you!
Nicole Hohenbild
Online Coordinator ISTeam
I am a fourth year student of International Business and
Management (IBMS) at the International Business School (IBS) of the Hanze UAS. During my year abroad, which is part of the curriculum of IBS, I have gained valuable international experience by studying one semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico and completing a five month placement at a marketing and communications agency in Cape Town, South Africa. Coming from Germany, studying at Hanze UAS itself and working in project groups with team members of various cultural backgrounds already enriched me with intercultural experience. Moreover, before I started studying at Hanze UAS, I spent one year in the USA as an au pair. Hence I have a good understanding of how it is to come to a new country and experience another culture.
Especially during the second year of my study programme I was very involved at Hanze UAS. I worked for a students’ interest association, represented the students in the Central Participation Council, was member of the evaluation panel at IBS and did promotion at schools, fairs and Open Days in Germany and the Netherlands. Through all those activities I gained a lot of insights, knowledge and experience in many different aspects and areas at Hanze UAS. This study year I am also in the participation council of IBS and will therefore be informed about the newest developments and changes regarding IBS.
As the Online Coordinator of the International Student Team I will, among others, be responsible for and make sure that all your questions are properly answered and that you will be provided with interesting useful information, not only about the study programmes of Hanze UAS but also about any other aspect of student life.
We are looking forward to hear from you and will be happy to help you.
Xinyi Wu
RenRen/Weibo Manager – China Specialist
I am Xinyi. I come from Chongqing China, which is one of the
fastest developing city of China today. I am a second year student of IBMS (International Business Management Studies). I am enjoying my life in Groningen and at Hanze UAS.
I am the Social Media Coordinator for the Asian platforms like RenRen and Weibo. I am happy to share my experiences and to help prospective students with their study choice. I am glad to be a part of ISTeam and that I got the opportunity to help students with their questions and decisions. I will be available on Renren and Weibo (Sina) to answer your questions and update the latest news of Hanze UAS.
The name of Hanzehogeschool on Renren is 汉斯大学 and on Sina Weibo is Hanze_Hogeschool. Please add us on-line and feel free to ask questions. We cherish every question from you and we will reply as soon as possible.
Colac Constantin
Vkontakte Manager / Russia, Romania and Moldova Specialist
My name is Colac Constantin, but friends call me Costel. I come
from the Republic of Moldova and I am a second year International Communication student at Hanze UAS. I speak English, Romanian and Russian. Groningen has inspired me to discover new cultures through communication and friendships. As a person I am enthusiastic, open to ideas, free-spirit and very communicative. Altruism is the word that defines the way I interact with people. My interests are theatre, music, technology, social media and poetry.
I have chosen to work within the International Student Team because I enjoy helping people out and making new friends. My job is to coordinate and develop the university’s official pages on the Russian social network Vkontakte as well as helping prospective students communicate with the institution.
I am looking forward to hear from you!