1. Before I came to Groningen I was living in…
Before I came to Groningen I was living in San Salvador, El Salvador. It is the smallest country in Central America, and it is known as 'The tiny thumb of the Americas' by visitors and locals alike. We are also known for being one of the best and most sought out spots on earth for surfing and water sports in general. Needless to say, we only have two seasons: Summer and rainy season, Winter.
2. Previous school / education:
I graduated from a private University in San Salvador and my major was Engineering and Information Technology. On my senior year I was already working on my field, ICT and Systems Engineering. I also had previous studies of Accounting and Business Administration during my first years of College in Canada although I could not complete all courses due to financial difficulties. However, I managed to get a language diploma certificate from The University of Michigan, U.S.
3. Current study:
I am currently studying a Master's in Business Administration with special emphasis in International Business and Management. The direction that I pursue with a global career oriented degree is to maximize my previous life experience and studies in order to grow not just professionally but rather expand my career vision internationally. There is so much to learn and to share with several students from different backgrounds and from the Dutch students as well that it has been an ongoing rewarding experience.
4. What made you decide that you wanted to study in the Netherlands?
While I was studying my bachelor's I realized that in order to succeed professionally and satisfy current economy trends and fast paced changes in my country's region, I had to take example and learn from a more advanced perspective; I searched for a specific MBA programme that would empower students in a truly international environment, and that is how I came across this Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen (Hanze UAS), programme. It was one of the most complete and with the right elements which place it on top of my list. I did not know at the time the precise location of the city of Groningen, but I was surprised that it was in The Netherlands. I decided to come to The Netherlands since Holland has certain similarities with my country ,although it actually performed better during the financial crisis. Since our currency is the U.S. dollar and our economy depends greatly from U.S. affairs, the impact of the financial crisis was awful not just in my country, but I would say for the whole region.
5. What do you like about the Dutch educational system?
The Dutch educational system is very strict but at the same time it comprises different levels which places the student accordingly in order to determine which courses the student should take. The idea is to continuously improve the educational quality I believe. From my perspective, there are several methodologies applied throughout the courses and also new elements, for example lecturers require as part of the grade to write down a reflection in every report paper delivered. This requirement alone is a positive input, since requires from the student to reflect his performance and experiences while doing the assignment.
6. What is your opinion on Groningen as a student city?
Groningen is without a doubt one of the most dynamic and emerging student city across Europe. People are friendly, polite, have a strong sense of punctuality, fun, and very kind. The city itself is cozy, sort of a portrait out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It has such a warm feeling and it combines both elements of a great city: icon buildings such as the Martini Tower which represents Groningen, and at the same time it is fashionably modern with buildings such as the Euroborg where the stadium is located, hooghoudt distillery, and Central Station as being one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe.
7. What part of your study interests you the most?
The global applications of my current studies is what appeals the most to me. It has been a long journey to be here and to actually see how companies work their strategies first hand is a thrilling experience. We had company trips, guest lecturers, CEO's and reps coming to visit Hanze UAS, job fairs, and exchange programs. My MBA is actually a dual programme with Anglia Ruskin University located in Cambridge, thus I get to spend one semester in Cambridge. This experience alone makes the programme worthwhile.
8. What can you advice to others who want to study abroad?
I would recommend foreign students to master English first and foremost, and if possible to learn dutch before coming to The Netherlands. As a foreign student one needs to work double and learn quicker than local students, since the time that a student spends 'catching up' to dutch standards is considerably precious. You need to have a strong desire to learn new concepts and to be culturally open to all possibilities. You need to truly become a 'citizen of the world'.
9. What are your future plans?
After I finish my studies I plan to research for alternative energy sources and applications. This is a topic that interest me personally a lot. My current thesis is about Energy Management Systems and safety solutions. I realize that even though we may be worlds apart culturally, we all share the same dilemmas and we all share the same concerns. There is a great effort being done now as several companies try to shift towards cleaner and sustainable energy solutions, and I would like to be part of such efforts. Hopefully I will land a job where I can use my knowledge and skills to serve this purpose.
10. Last great tips / advice?
As advice I would suggest to any student to stay 'on course' and to stay focused, always true to their goals and dreams. If they manage to express their ideas clearly, they will soon realize that people from other culture and background are actually having the same ideas, having the same thoughts, and the same ambitions and dreams. Try to be open to all opinions and to accept the person next to you. The key to successfully achieve your goals is communication and discipline. As a final thought, try to be honest with yourself and always give in 100%. All experiences are good, even the bad ones! You may learn from it all and you may find yourself evolving to a better character. Learn from the Dutch, they are always happy!