"IBMS forms a solid basis for starting an international career"
Marten Hein, graduate 2010
Testimonials
JAN MENNENGA, MANAGER IN-STORE MERCHANDISING AT PHILIPS IN AMSTERDAM
“We wanted to expand our team with a proactive, critical intern who would help us to advise retailers on how and where they could best present Philips products in their shops.
We were highly impressed with the two Stenden students who came to the interview – which is why we decided to appoint both of them. IBMS students specializing in Retail Business have a great deal of knowledge of the shop floor on the retail side. That knowledge is very valuable to us.”
DEIKE HACHMEISTER FROM GERMANY, IBMS STUDENT
“I chose the International Business and Management Studies programme because the course is given in English. I thought that would be a good starting point for an international career. The programme is set up in a very practical way: you immediately start working on real cases. In my final year, I will do a ten-month internship in the marketing department of a major international company in Atlanta.
I am really looking forward to that, because I will then finally be
We were highly impressed with the two Stenden students who came to the interview – which is why we decided to appoint both of them. IBMS students specializing in Retail Business have a great deal of knowledge of the shop floor on the retail side. That knowledge is very valuable to us.”
DEIKE HACHMEISTER FROM GERMANY, IBMS STUDENT
“I chose the International Business and Management Studies programme because the course is given in English. I thought that would be a good starting point for an international career. The programme is set up in a very practical way: you immediately start working on real cases. In my final year, I will do a ten-month internship in the marketing department of a major international company in Atlanta.
I am really looking forward to that, because I will then finally be
able to apply the knowledge I acquired with IBMS.”
GARRETT OLIVER KOOLMAN, IBMS STUDENT
"The growth possibilities and opportunities an International Business background gives you are by far the most compared to any other education."
"I believe that IBMS was one of the best places for me to achieve the knowledge needed to prepare me for growing exponentially both in financial gains and business development."
"What really inspires me is that in business one can be divers in many disciplines and if you focus on one until successful
MERLE KAHL, IBMS STUDENT
My experience in exchange / study abroad
We are definitely having a good time in Argentina. South America has a lot to offer, and we luckily got the chance to travel around a bit.
Tandil, the city where we are studying, is really nice and safe. We feel very comfortable over here and the people are quite interested in us. The support from the university is also really good (everybody got for example a tutor even before we started the exchange).
Apart from that, we had to get used to the teaching method, in which the teaching is less (inter)active that what we are used to. However, there are a lot of topics covered in classes which - to be honest - I did not expect before coming to Argentina.
We are definitely having a good time in Argentina. South America has a lot to offer, and we luckily got the chance to travel around a bit.
Tandil, the city where we are studying, is really nice and safe. We feel very comfortable over here and the people are quite interested in us. The support from the university is also really good (everybody got for example a tutor even before we started the exchange).
Apart from that, we had to get used to the teaching method, in which the teaching is less (inter)active that what we are used to. However, there are a lot of topics covered in classes which - to be honest - I did not expect before coming to Argentina.
YEMBU MARCEL TANGOW FROM CAMEROON, IBMS STUDENT
"I love IBMS and Stenden"
The reasen I chose IBMS is because I needed to be a good manager in my future career as well as a good entrepreneur. After a serious rearch, Stenden University with its hospitality as confirmed by other Carmeroonians that had studied in Stenden, was recommended as one of the best business schools so far.
IBMS has some specific skills especially in the field of international business management that are still lacking in my country. When I achieve these skills I will be able to help my society in this field of management. With the qualification of IBMS in the business management world, you have some uniqueness internationally.
Being a student of IBMS I do enjoy the lecturers and the teaching style of the IBMS program. The course is an international program that enrolls the student in to a greater future as CEO, Entrepreneur, Consultant, just to name a few.
The general study atmosphere in IBMS and in Stenden is a conductive one for students, especially the international students. Every student is equal and treated the same as a Dutch citizen and this kind of treatment apply entirely in the Stenden campus. This is what makes Stenden to be what it is with its nice studying atmosphere.
INTERVIEW WITH MARTEN HEIN (GRADUATE 2010)
1. Why did you choose IBMS in Leeuwarden?
First and foremost, I wanted to pursue an international study program taught completely in English with the most possible number of fellow students from various cultural backgrounds. Secondly, I was especially attracted by the small classes, resulting in personal and not just administrative relations with the lecturers. In addition, following an open day visit, I experienced a state of the art school with excellent ICT facilities, an extensive library and a worldwide network of partner universities. Lastly, I liked the fact that many lecturers had really worked as managers in various industries. Thus, they were able to provide interesting examples, experiences and case studies.
2. What specialization did you take?
First and foremost, I wanted to pursue an international study program taught completely in English with the most possible number of fellow students from various cultural backgrounds. Secondly, I was especially attracted by the small classes, resulting in personal and not just administrative relations with the lecturers. In addition, following an open day visit, I experienced a state of the art school with excellent ICT facilities, an extensive library and a worldwide network of partner universities. Lastly, I liked the fact that many lecturers had really worked as managers in various industries. Thus, they were able to provide interesting examples, experiences and case studies.
2. What specialization did you take?
After completing the first 2.5 years of IBMS, I chose the Business to Business (b2b) specialization with minors in Supply Chain Management and International Marketing. The most decisive reasons for this choice were that the b2b specialization offers the largest amount of future employment opportunities due to the fact that the majority of worldwide business is done between companies. Secondly, Germany is one of the most important export partners for the Netherlands and vice versa. Especially, as German native being acquainted with the Dutch culture and language one becomes an attractive prospect for both Dutch and German businesses.
3. What foreign experience did IBMS bring you?
The most striking experience was to work on interesting business case studies in multi cultural teams. Dealing with different work approaches, finding compromises and at the end reaching successfully a j oint goal, prepared me very well for the real life business world. Moreover, I was able to build a network of friends from all around the world. Last but not least, I followed a remarkable internship at a large Dutch gas network provider which paved my career entry into the vibrant gas and energy industry.
4. What did you like most about your study?
During my studies, I enjoyed mostly the hands on business instead of theoretical approach. Hereby, especially excursions to companies such as Volkswagen in Wolfsburg or political institutions such as the European commission in Brussels were very enriching. Additionally, there have been ample opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities and to develop an entrepreneurial drive. For me such an activity has been SIFE (Students in Free Enterprises) which helped me immensely to develop myself in a personal and professional way.
5. What could you tell about this study from your perception?
In my opinion, IBMS forms a solid basis for a starting career in international sales, marketing or logistics. Strong emphasis is put on the development of soft skills such as cultural sensibility, presentation and leadership skills. Besides a certain amount of contact hours with the IBMS lecturers, focus lays on self study and group project work. It is essential to know, that with a lot freedom also comes responsibility. It is all about your own initiative and what you want to make out of it.
