I study International Finance and Accounting at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, and I can honestly say that choosing this programme was one of the best decisions of my life.
I had been interested in mathematics and finance from a young age, so working with numbers always felt natural to me. Saxion attracted me because, when I was applying, it offered the exact combination of finance and accounting that I was searching for.
The university also provided a wide selection of English-taught programmes in which theoretical knowledge was combined with practical experience.
That practical focus was especially important to me. Instead of learning only from textbooks, students work with realistic situations and develop skills that prepare them for professional life after graduation.
One of the main differences I noticed in the Netherlands was the relationship between students and lecturers.
From conversations with friends studying elsewhere, I had the impression that university education could sometimes involve reading large amounts of material independently while receiving limited personal support.
At Saxion, lecturers are there to help students understand what they are learning. They explain not only what needs to be done, but also how and why particular methods work.
The university also creates many opportunities for students to continue working after lectures, either independently or in teams. When something is unclear, lecturers are approachable and willing to find time to help.
This does not mean that studying at Saxion is easy.
You still need to work hard, prepare for classes, complete assignments, and take responsibility for your results. The difference is that you are challenged within a system designed to help you progress rather than leave you to struggle alone.
The programme is closely connected to the modern labour market. It develops financial knowledge, analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, and the ability to apply theory in realistic business situations.
Saxion also offers valuable international opportunities to students who want to discover more of the world.
I spent two separate six-month periods in Malaysia. During one, I completed an internship, and during the other, I worked on my graduation thesis.
These experiences changed the way I understood the world.
Living in Malaysia introduced me to different cultures, lifestyles, professional environments, and approaches to everyday life. It also showed me that adapting to another culture requires much more than simply arriving in a new country.
You learn to observe, listen, communicate differently, and understand that your own way of doing things is not the only possible one.
I also used the opportunity to complete a minor at the University of Twente in Enschede.
There, I experienced a research-university environment, which differed from the applied-sciences approach at Saxion. The studies were more academically and scientifically focused, giving me another perspective on higher education.
Although the two systems were different, both experiences were valuable. Together, they helped me understand how practical business education and academic research can complement each other.
Student life in the Netherlands was equally rewarding.
I managed to combine my studies with a part-time job and Dutch language courses without having to sacrifice sleep or live under constant pressure. With good planning, I still had enough time for friends, events, and enjoying life outside university.
Over the years, I met so many people from different parts of the world that it would be difficult to count them all.
These international friendships became one of the most important parts of the entire experience. They gave me new perspectives, future travel opportunities, and connections that may remain valuable both personally and professionally.
My university years were not only about becoming better at finance and accounting. They were about becoming more independent, adaptable, internationally minded, and confident in unfamiliar situations.
Looking back, studying in the Netherlands gave me practical education, work experience, language skills, international mobility, and some of the best years of my life.
My advice to future students is to remain open to opportunities, even when they take you somewhere unexpected.
Try something new. Travel when the opportunity appears. Work with people who think differently from you. Do not stay inside your comfort zone simply because it feels safe.
The experiences that initially seem most unfamiliar may become the ones that shape your future the most.
