‘Learning Communication by doing it for real’

What if a master’s programme didn’t just teach communication theory, but helped students discover what kind of communication professional they want to become? For Chinh Nguyen, the Master of International Communication (MIC) at Hanze did exactly that. By working on real brand challenges with real organisations, the programme reshaped how he sees both the field of communication and his own future within it.

‘Almost every MIC module is built around real-life communication challenges from companies and organisations. That meant applying theory directly in practice, across a wide range of industries. I worked on projects such as developing a sustainable communication strategy for IKEA, helping Magnum rethink its brand positioning, and designing behaviour-change communication with Fashion Revolution. Each project sharpened my strategic thinking and pushed me into new perspectives.

From the classroom to an international internship

The strong academic foundation and the multicultural learning environment gave me the confidence to pursue an internship at FrieslandCampina. There, I worked with Debic, a century-old international brand, and learned how to manage brand consistency across markets, build international communication strategies and adapt global messaging to local cultures. Company visits, trainings and agency meetings offered valuable insight into how global brands operate in practice.

Looking ahead

An unexpected highlight was being selected to attend the Dubai Future Forum 2025, following my engagement with Future Literacy workshops. It reinforced two key lessons: as technology advances, human values like purpose and authenticity become more important than ever, and the most powerful communication starts with deeply human, specific stories.

Why MIC

MIC helped me grow into a confident, future-oriented communication professional. If you’re looking for a master’s programme that combines theory, practice and an international outlook, this is where it starts.’