Exchange and the value of intercultural perspectives

In line with BUas’ programme portfolio, international cooperation has always been part of what we do. In 2023 Academy for Leisure & Events (ALE) had 18.6% incoming international students (of 547 students in total) which compares favourably to 2017 when we had 11.8% incoming international students (of 493). This is the number of students who do their entire study programme (bachelor’s or master’s) at our academy, named ’degree- seeking students’ in formal terms. We also welcome incoming exchange students, who only come to study for one semester.

Annet Ghering is exchange coordinator at Academy for Leisure & Events and a lecturer at Social Innovation.

Incoming exchange students come and study in the context of the Erasmus student exchange programme which was introduced in 1987. The aim is three-fold: to enable learning mobility of individuals, to stimulate cooperation among organisations and institutions, and to support policy development and cooperation. ALE has enthusiastically embraced these possibilities and where the question ‘why manage leisure?’ initially raised some eyebrows internationally, adding ‘Events’ to the title definitely helped.

Selection and matching
Together with the academic coordinators, Student Office coordinates the selection of students who apply for an exchange. The system is straightforward: students who have obtained most credits and who have the highest average grade stand the best chance of going to the university of their choice. Students choose three universities they would like to go to and although there are usually enough places available for all students who apply, not all of them can go, mostly because some countries tend to be much more in demand than others. The popularity of Spain is very hard to beat.

ALE has exchange agreements with 57 partner universities.

Numbers
To give an indication of the numbers: since 2011, around 300 ALE students have participated in exchange programmes in as many as 19 different countries; in 2024-2025 32 ALE students will go to 13 different countries. ALE now has exchange agreements with 57 partner universities, and we regularly receive requests from new international universities. The number of incoming exchange students at ALE has been stable between 10 and 20 for several years now, a number we would like to see go up. However, finding accommodation turns out to be a major challenge, for all students but for incoming exchange students especially, because they are only in Breda for one semester.

Specialisations
The introduction of specialisations at ALE has enabled incoming exchange students to choose a programme that is as much in line with their ambitions and interests as possible. All specialisations have welcomed incoming exchange students in their midst. Events for Business and Sports & Esports are currently doing a more in-depth exploration, together with partner universities, of how programmes are complementary and how new ways of cooperation can be developed, for example, with Kajaani University of Applied Sciences in Finland.

Positive experiences
Fortunately, the experiences of almost all students are very positive. Both incoming and outgoing exchange students value being immersed in a different culture for one semester, they learn a lot by being in a completely different educational system ("It made a nice change to attend classes in a more traditional way”) and they become more appreciative and understanding of different cultures. Although having a good time and making friends for life is not one of the main aims of the programme, it is clearly something that enhances students’ well-being and clearly contributes to study success.

Coming to Breda
In their evaluations, many incoming students explicitly state how much they appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, created by staff and students alike, and the different approach. Project groups, peer assessments, going through a course programme as a group - all ways of working that we are used to at ALE; this is new to most international students. Bonding with classmates through projects, sharing responsibility and feeling proud of what has been achieved are all enriching. Moreover, students experience living in a new culture. Many students who come from cultures where employees are addressed by their formal title and where they are not expected to ask questions are pleasantly surprised by the ease with which they can reach colleagues at ALE.

Exchange experiences offer students as well as colleagues who welcome them and ALE students who work with them, the value of intercultural perspectives. We look forward to offering this inspiration and being inspired ourselves for many years to come.

Student exchange experiences

Exchange is not a semester in a life but a life in a semester.

My name is Lynn van Venrooij and I did an exchange at Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island, US. It was a great experience which allowed me to travel the US as well. The school semester is four months, and I travelled for an additional two-and-a-half months. I lived in a dorm on campus, which I absolutely loved. JWU has multiple sports teams which you can go watch to support the Wildcats! There are also gyms on campus, which are completely free and a lot of fun to go to with friends. I got on very well with my roommate. Making clear rules with my roommate and being honest to each other worked well. My best friends were other exchange students and my roommate. We still keep in touch and even visit each other!

I took courses related to the entertainment industry, film and music – some theoretical, some more practical. The testing system was new to me. I found it easier to pass courses because homework assignments are graded, in addition to the midterms and finals. I preferred this way of learning, as it is less overwhelming than the Dutch education system can sometimes be. 

I would recommend everyone to go on exchange; it might have been the best six months of my life. I made friends for life from all around the globe. An experience of a lifetime!

I became more curious, more open-minded, more confident and more productive.

I am Marina Khadzhi – Nazarova and in my second year I decided to apply for an exchange programme at the University of Barcelona: I immediately pictured myself eating churros at the beach for breakfast, paella for lunch, hyped up also because of the Spanish environment that would enhance my Spanish!

I remember my first day on campus, the people I made friends with, the six different subjects four days a week - a little bit like my secondary school schedule. I had expected it to be challenging but it appeared to be an incredibly valuable experience for me. My curiosity was constantly satisfied by lecturers and new local friends I made, on campus and on the many ESN trips I joined. I instantly got caught up in the swirl of discoveries, excursions, subjects, perspectives, and friends.

In September 2023, I returned to BUas for my final year and felt like nothing had changed - everything seemed so familiar. My feelings were controversial because nothing had changed but me. I had changed. I had grown. I had developed. I took many lessons from it: I became more curious, more open-minded, more confident and more productive. Barcelona offers thousands of temptations to forget about studying and go partying and sightseeing, but this only encouraged me to hone my time management skills. I managed everything: enjoyment, my social life and sightseeing. This experience will always have a special place in my heart.

The most important stranger you will meet while living abroad is yourself.

My name is Monica Schram and my studies included exchanges in years three and four. These facilitated profound personal growth, leaving an unforgettable imprint on my personality. The experiences not only transformed me as a person, but also influenced my outlook on life. Feeling more confident and independent is the obvious proof. Navigating a foreign city, managing daily responsibilities, and adjusting to another culture pushed me out of my comfort zone. I became more self-sufficient, and my self-esteem grew as a result.

These experiences empowered me to embrace change, take chances, and find my own path towards happiness. Going on exchange increased my open-mindedness and empathy. Interacting with people from all origins and learning about their stories and perspectives broadened my cultural awareness, improved my communication skills, and helped me create valuable connections. "Become friends with people who are not your age. Hang out with people whose first language is not the same as yours. Get to know someone who does not come from your social class. This is how you see the world. This is how you grow.” It is a priceless experience that will help me become a more competent and globally aware person that appreciates the beauty of cultural differences, which will ultimately help me to be a better leisure professional.

All in all, the exchange periods expanded my horizons and gave me life lessons that I will remember for a long time to come. Encountering diverse cultures and unfamiliar territories was enriching and fostered resilience. These experiences enabled me to grow, both personally and professionally. I am thankful to BUas for granting me these opportunities, and I will cherish these memories forever.