Educationial exurtion : Nyenrode University, Feng Shui and the caring institution

In January 2017, after a one-year placement as Global Talent Manager and Tech Trainer, in the United States, I moved back to the Netherlands and was gainfully employed by Nyenrode Business University, the Amsterdam branch: Nyenrode New Business School. Nine blissful months later I am saying goodbye to my amazing colleagues, this incredible academic institute and its lecturers, my wonderful students and my never-ending quest and thirst for knowledge that abundantly poured from these walls. Looking back and reflecting on my time here I want to attempt to answer the question: how did Nyenrode become such a solid educational institute within Dutch society and was able to create such massive international traction as well as a strong alumni network spanning the globe?

We all know Brooklyn, to use a Sex and the City reference, we're talking that borough that Miranda and Steve had to move when they were expecting baby Brady. What most people don’t know is that Brooklyn was named after Breukelen, a small town outside of Utrecht, where Nyenrode was founded in 1946. Obviously, Nyenrode has a wide range of strong educational programs that one can choose from, but I believe that their academic offering is only part of what makes them successful. The other fifty percent is slightly more veiled. 

Figure 1 - Nyenrode Breukelen Circa 1946

Nyenrode prides itself on achieving and upholding the highest academic excellence possible, which made it strikingly clear after it went through a tough accreditation process, successfully, a few months ago. Besides being brilliant academia, the lectures here, like Rik van Zuthphen, have a strong corporate background as well – Rik used to be Director Communication & Marketing at Loyens & Loeff N.V.

Or Frans Pigeaud, who teaches amongst other things, Global Strategic management; Frans used to be a Partner as RivelX where he specialized in growth strategy and Corporate Finance. And the list goes on. Imagine, as a student, at any age, within any program be it the BBA or the FTMBA, to be able to emerge yourself in a space where traditional subjects are taught, combined with a wealth of pragmatic and real-life corporate dilemma’s and tasks, taught by people who have actually lived it and in many cases still do today. This was yet another awe-inspiring piece that struck me, but again, this was all above the surface. The real magic lay deeper within the proverbial iceberg. Much deeper. 

Figure 2 - Mentors Hong Kong Study Trip 2017 - LTR: Pim van Berkel, Annemiek Dohmen, Wieneke Rollman, Rik van Zutphen, Sjana Holloway, Frans Pigeaud, Jessica Leijgraaff and Gene Hewitt

A few months in I was asked to join the team as a mentor during a study trip to Hong Kong. This is where you saw the true reach of Nyenrode and understood the power and reasoning behind this initiative. Not only were we graciously welcomed by Nyenrode Alumni like Arjan de Boer, Indosuez’ Head of Markets and Investment Solutions; and Jeroen Nijsen, CEO of Rabobank. The same was true for Annemieke Ruigrok, Ambassador for the Netherlands in Hong Kong. Just an amazing fete and truly a highlight of my life that neither I nor the students will never forget. Seeing all the pieces come together: the learning objectives for the students, the international exposure that they were able to experience and the reach of Nyerode globally, truly made this trip unforgettable.

"...it is not about the profit, the numbers, nor the success rate..."

It was around this time that I started the notice the amount of time, love, dedication and energy that the staff and lectures of Nyenrode put into the students to ensure that got a glimpse of what a successful education could amount to. You see, what makes the folks here different is that it isn't primarily about the profit, the numbers, nor the success rate of each program, it really is for and about the students: how can we help them grow? What else can we share with them? How can we expose them to more? That was evident during breakfast where you could see lecturers and students discussing Corporate Social Responsibility in Hong Kong, the social economic repercussions of the new metro line etc. In the bus after a Poverty Simulation exercise where one of the students, Laura Ghobrial, was so touched she decided then and there she wanted to bring the program to the Netherlands. Or something as caring as when one of the lecturers, Jessica Leijgraaff, discovered on the bus, that her cat back in Holland had died. This was followed by a 10-minute consoling session form one of my students Ard van Aanholt. What was this place?

Figure 3 - Gene Hewitt, Jessica Leijgraaff and Wieneke Rollman - The Great Buddha Hong Kong

In January 2017, I started, what should have been a temporary role at Nyenrode, yet what I found was a mother figure in our sweet receptionist Tania, that greets everybody with so much joy every morning that I started doubting if she was perhaps and A.I. experiment. A sister in our secretary of the exam bureau, Wieneke, who is so knowledgeable and sweet, a friend in Yvonne, one of the most brilliant project Managers you will come across, in Sherien, Celine, Rui, Isaac, Paul, June, Jessica, Carlijn, Esther, Caroline, Janine, Steph etc…ALL of them. This ‘feeling’ was not just given to me when I joined Nyenrode (making it really hard to say goodbye) …this precious gift, this warm welcome, this exceedingly positive work environment, this warm bed, this safety net is given to everyone entering this system, especially the students, the colleagues and the faculty. And THAT is what makes this place special and unique. You will not find another university in Holland that is so personable, skilled and welcoming to people. The proof is in the pudding.

Figure 4 - Inspirational and diverse lecturers LTR: Miguel Heilbron, Dr Sjana Holloway, MSC. June Bowen - Neimeijer, MTS. Caroll Tarr

A few nights ago I visited this incredibly cool new bar in the centre of Amsterdam called Raleigh and Ramsey Amsterdam. An awesome new concept where you get to choose from over 100 different wines and tap it yourself! The wine dispenser, the piece that brought the concept together, a real game changer, was the highlight of the evening - created by a Nyenrode graduate. The same is true for Farm Brothers cookies, homemade, delicious and organic cookies found all across Europe - founded and created by a Nyenrode graduate.What about Fixico, an awesome new concept within the automotive industry, who have over 60 staff members, kick-started their company in the Incubator, a space for students to start their own business - founded and created by a Nyenrode graduate. And so the list goes on! What do all these companies have in common: entrepreneurs, moulded and created by Nyenrode and its staff members.

If you are an international student looking into an MBA program, a prospective employee looking for your next challenge within education, or a tourist that has lost his way (ask for Tania at the reception desk) Nyenrode truly is a special place. This is why they are one of the best in the Netherlands –, it’s because of the people and their passion! Everybody at Nyenrode is focused, wired, and excited about being there for each other and the students. I am going to miss everyone there and for good reason. 

Figure 4 - Beach Clean-up Hong Kong - Year 2 NNBS