Future Game Changers | Floor de Bruin

Floor de Bruin

Hi! My name is Floor de Bruin, 21 years old, and I’m currently in my fourth and final year at the Hotel Management School Maastricht, following the Horizons in Hospitality track. Although Maastricht has become a home away from home, I originally grew up in a small village called Beusichem. Moving from a smaller village to a bigger city like Maastricht was definitely a big step for me, but it did not take long for the city to make me feel at ease due to its Burgundian character.

Floor's Experience

Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. At the moment, I am fully focused on my graduation project, but during my third year, I was able to call myself an HMSM ambassador as part of my ComIn project. That role turned out to be so much more than “just recruitment”. It allowed me to contribute to the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations and, fun fact, it is also part of the reason I am writing this blog today.

Taking on recruitment as a ComIn project taught me not to view all tasks as boxes to tick off, but as chances to grow. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially when it came to public speaking. At first, standing in front of a room full of people felt a little scary, but in the end, it turned out to be a very rewarding skill I developed.

Even though I picked up plenty of practical skills during my studies, the biggest growth for me happened on a personal level. The school environment encouraged me to open up more, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and build a supportive network. A big part of that came from teachers who gave me the space to try, fail, and try again, but also from friends who were my biggest cheerleaders throughout my studies, for which I am very grateful. 

Floor's Values

Most importantly, I discovered that people-centered leadership is really where I thrive. Hospitality has evolved for me into more than just an industry; it has become a mindset that serves as the foundation for everything I do. That people-focused mindset also ties in with the HMSM value that speaks to me the most: connection. Empathy has always been important to me, but during my studies, I learned to put it into practice even more. Making others feel seen, valued, and welcome is something I hope to carry with me wherever I go next.

Floor's Ambitions

If you had asked me at the start of my studies what I would do after graduation, I would have confidently answered: “Start working immediately.” But over the last year, I realized that I am still young, and that there is so much more I still want to experience before settling into a full-time career. I want to discover the world, but also maybe pursue a master’s degree to expand my knowledge further.

Eventually, I hope to find a job I’m truly passionate about. Whether this is in the event industry or somewhere else, as long as hospitality remains at its core.
One of my goals in hospitality is to keep on supporting others in their personal and professional growth. I am not aiming for anything big, but I do believe small gestures can make a real difference. I know how much it helped me when people around me gave me the space to learn at my own pace, so I would love to offer that same support to others. 

Floor's Tips

If I could give other students a tip, it would be to ‘just go for it’ sometimes. Some of the best experiences I have had were the ones I was unsure about at first, but saying yes turned out to be so worth it.

Be curious, try things out, and see where it takes you, but always in a way that feels right for you. Take on new experiences because you actually want to, not because it seems like what you are “supposed” to do.