Future Game Changers | Amy Keulen

Amy Keulen

Hi, my name is Amy, I am 21 years old and grew up in the southern part of Limburg, in a small town near Maastricht. I never planned on staying close to home, but the Maastrichter bourgondisch lifestyle and the moment I first set foot in the Hotel Management School Maastricht, where I immediately felt at home, made me stay. I am now proudly in my final year of Hotelschool, graduating in the Hotel track.

The Excellence Programme

I joined the Excellence Program because I want to get the most out of myself and my studies here in Maastricht. The regular track is not enough for me. I want to push my boundaries, explore what I am capable of, and truly make a difference.

The Excellence Programme had a great impact on my network and my networking skills. As a friend of mine always said: “a hotello is as strong as its connections.” During the program, you get in touch with many industry professionals who are genuinely interested in you. I also discovered that I am capable of much more than I thought. As coordinator of the program, I deepened these skills, realized my own value, being more than just “a student”, and learned how to plan and organize an entire program with many stakeholders.

During my time as Senior External Coordinator of the Excellence Programme I finally felt like I truly made an impact. I saw the direct influence of my tasks and responsibilities on the existence and success of the program, and on the students who participated in it. Another moment was, when I proudly represented Hotel Management School Maastricht at the EMCup 2025. There, I felt that our opinions and insights were genuinely heard by today’s professionals, because we are the professionals of tomorrow.

Amy's Wings

I always try to grow into the best version of myself, both personally and professionally. I would like to go abroad again to learn more about the hospitality industry on a global, intercultural level. After a few years of gaining knowledge and experience, both abroad and in the Netherlands, I would like to return to the south of the Netherlands, back to Maastricht, to run my own hotel. That way I can bring everything I’ve learned into practice close to my roots, family, and friends (even though they will be all over the world, as hotello’s often are).

There is not really a specific person or thing that inspired me in my development, because I believe my inspiration comes from within. I’ve always felt a strong urge to make the most of my life and the opportunities I am given. This has been true since I was a child, and it still drives my decisions today.

The Hotelschool provides a strong foundation for my future plans. It has helped me develop myself in a professional way and given me a lot of confidence and social skills. Every hotello enters with an above-average set of social skills but graduates with an even stronger one. The school also offers countless opportunities, like participating in the Excellence Program, coordinating the program, joining international competitions, and developing intercultural skills through internships abroad. What makes this even more valuable is the guidance from the teachers, who truly see students for who they are and recognize what they are capable of.

In 5 to 10 years, I see myself working in a strong position within a hotel somewhere in the world, preferably surrounded by other Hotel Management School (Maastricht) alumni, because that synergy thrives. I hope to be gaining more skills and knowledge to prepare myself for the future in this industry.

With my enthusiasm, positive attitude, and motivation, I want to give everyone, both in my professional and personal life, a hospitable experience. I want people to feel at home and like they belong. My goal is to leave everyone with a smile. Contributing to the world happens in small steps, but with all these hotello’s, many small steps can add up to a big one.

Amy’s Tips

My tip is to always say yes to the opportunities that come your way. Not everything may seem valuable or interesting at first, but you will always learn something from it. I’d rather regret something I did than having the regret of missing out. Keep looking for your next step, don’t stay in the same place, just because it feels safe. Many have the qualities to achieve so much more, so go for it and strive to get there.