Studying in English at HMSM: the experience of a Dutch student

Hotel Management School Maastricht offers both a Dutch and English track for the Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Management. Although our school is the only one in The Netherlands to offer this higher professional education programme in Dutch, prospective (Dutch) students are encouraged to also consider the English track. In addition to international students, Dutch students can also enroll in the English track. It's an important decision, but for third-year student Lynn, it was an easy one.

Making the decision

For Lynn, her language skills were the main reason at the time. “I was never very strong in Dutch grammar; my English was generally better.” Broadening her English technical vocabulary was something she had always wanted to do, so this was the perfect opportunity for her. When choosing the track, Lynn also thought about her future network and what it would look like. “I wanted to have a larger and more international reach than just The Netherlands, so choosing the English track was a logical decision for me.”

The start of education in English

Before Lynn started her studies in Maastricht, she naturally had some concerns and doubts. She was particularly curious about what the classes would be like, as they are taught entirely in English. “I wondered whether I would be able to cope with the English and whether it would be mentally demanding to have to speak, read, and listen only in English.” It took some getting used to, but in the end, the transition went quite smoothly. “It also helped that you live on campus with people who are following the English track, including international students.” What was challenging at first was the constant focus required to keep up with everything. “Especially listening and paying attention; you really have to be ‘on’ all the time, so you don't miss anything.” Fortunately, this feeling disappeared over time, as the language became more and more natural.

“The transition to the internship went very smoothly because I already had a good command of the language. I didn't have to worry about that in advance, unlike other students.”

The advantages

Choosing the English track also had clear advantages. One of these became particularly apparent during the internship in the second year. For Lynn, this mainly gave her extra confidence. “The transition to the internship went very smoothly because I already had a good command of the language. I didn't have to worry about that in advance, unlike other students.” In addition to her language skills, Lynn also learned a lot socially. “You learn that certain expressions in Dutch are not so easy to translate in English with the same meaning. That made me more aware of how I communicated and with whom.”

Lynn's advice

When asked what she would do if she could choose between the two languages again, Lynn replies that she would immediately go for the English track again. “Yes, I would do it all again. The people I've become friends with come from so many different places. They are also more open to friendships, which makes the atmosphere very accessible.” Her advice for future Dutch students is therefore clear: “I would highly recommend the English-language track. You broaden your network, your vocabulary, and so many other skills in general.”

For Lynn, the English track was more than just a linguistic choice. Studying in English strengthened her skills, confidence, and network and made the transition to an internship easier. For Dutch students who are unsure, her experience shows that the English track has been a valuable choice.

Are you also considering the English track? Read 7 reasons to choose for the English track here.

Highlights