Let me Introduce You to ...

What do these four alumni have in common?
All four were students at BUas (or NHTV) and they were therefore ‘zeros’ once (sorry, that’s what you are called when you are still in year 0). All four were active in the introduction committees of their study programmes as senior students. All four now work as lecturers and/or study coaches in the Built Environment and Logistics department on the BUas campus in Breda. And all four run the introduction weeks for new students – with just as much enthusiasm as they did back then!

Let’s start with ILSE. Neither a former student of Built Environment, nor of Logistics. Ilse studied Vrijetijdsmanagement at NHTV and knows very well – with 15 years’ experience in the events industry – how to organise a (sporting) event like the introduction. 
‘I was 16 when my mother dropped me off at NHTV for the introduction. When I was pulling my bicycle out of the bicycle rack on the car, I heard one of the senior students say to my mother: “No worries, we’ll take good care of your daughter!” I felt at home right away and I now want to convey that feeling to our new students too. I experienced my own intro as overwhelming; so many people on airbeds in that ridiculously large tent. I was 16 and clearly not used to anything, but it’s something to consider when you organise something like that yourself.’

That was in 1992. On your bikes to a large party tent in Belgium.

How did things go with TIM? Did you get on your bike in 2014, when you started your Mobility programme in Breda?
‘Yes, surely! I still remember that bike ride with full luggage very well. In my mind, it was about 60-kilometres to the Roerdomp in Middelbeers; in any case, it seemed like a long way to me. When we arrived, my friends and I were immediately separated. I remember not liking that at all, but it works, because it connects you with people you would never otherwise meet. So, to be honest, we still use that tactic today.’

‘It really benefits the students,’ Frank knows. ‘During my introduction week, a group of friends was formed who are still very close. In those few days, you get to know the people you’ll see every day for the rest of your studies, including students from other study programmes and lecturers, of course. That mix makes your time at university extra special. So we pay close attention to that when putting the groups together. As Ilse has just said, it’s important that students feel at home quickly, and the introduction week lays the foundation for that.’

FRANK started studying Ruimtelijke Ordening en Planologie at NHTV in 2015. A study programme that was accommodated in the G Buildingtemporarily (the G from Gemeente (municipality) as the building was next to the Breda municipal offices). That’s where ARNA also studied at the time. She started her Logistiek en Economie studies in 2012. Which experience from her own introduction week does she bring to the organisation of the introduction week now?

‘I moved into a student flat in Breda and found it very exciting to step into a whole new world that I didn’t know. I was happy with the introduction programme; it’s nice to get to know some people before you step into a lecture hall for the first time. The small scale and friendly atmosphere of the introduction  programme made me feel at home right away. I think this is an important foundation for feeling at home at a new school, so I’m happy to contribute to that.’

It may seem like a long time ago, these introduction weeks. But the new batch of lecturers on the Built Environment and Logistics introduction committee did not graduate that long ago themselves. What made you come back so quickly? And have you (perhaps) missed out on anything in the professional field as a result? In which area would you like to gain more experience?

‘Let me start first,’ laughs Frank, ‘since I was the fastest to come back. After my bachelor’s programme, I attended a pre-master’s programme in Sociology and a master’s programme in Grootstedelijke Vraagstukken at Erasmus University. During my master’s programme, I’d already started at BUas, where I spent one day a week supervising first-year students on their projects. I come from a family of teachers, so it’s in my genes. I may have less experience in the professional field, but I have a lot of experience as a student. I started out in mbo and did a lot of work placements. I think I understand students and their struggles. If I had to choose where I would like to work, I’d choose a housing association, as it has similarities with sociology, spatial planning and construction. Probably not at a consultancy firm, as I’m not commercial enough for that.’

‘That’s exactly where I worked,’ says Tim, ‘at a really cool company in Utrecht. I actually wanted to be an air traffic controller, but that didn’t work out at the last minute, and I’m really happy about that now. My family is also involved in education, and I always said very emphatically that I’d never become a teacher! So I failed, and I have a friend from the introduction committee to thank for that. He sent me a vacancy for a study coach at BUas. From day one, I was standing in front of a class!’

And do you feel that you miss from the professional field, Tim?
‘The salary!’ says Frank jokingly.
‘That was very good indeed, but I was still very young when I started working at that consultancy firm – I was 21 – and I had to instruct someone who had been working for 30 years on how to do things! I now incorporate that experience into my lessons. It’s not only about professional knowledge, but primarily about how you interact with people and how you substantiate things. In that respect, our students have nothing to fear. What I particularly enjoy about teaching is that you get immediate appreciation. After a two-minute explanation, you can already feel that the students are grateful to you.’

And Arna, how did it go for you?
'After completing my studies, I was unsure whether to pursue a master’s degree or travel? The adventure won out. New Zealand had been on my list for a long time, but as a student, I didn’t have the budget for it. So, I stayed at NHTV for another six months, worked on projects together with industry partners, and saved diligently. Then I went backpacking. In just under six months, I visited New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam. After my travels, I got into logistics: first at a beauty product company, then in healthcare logistics at Zimmer Biomet. I started as a district coordinator and later worked on optimisation projects in hospitals. It was a great job, but due to reorganisations, the work became increasingly commercial – which didn’t suit me.’

And how did you get back to the base?
‘When I was giving a guest lecture at BUas, Ilse told me about a job opening as a study coach. I never thought that I would end up in education so soon after graduating (in 2016), but I thought: why not? The social aspect really appealed to me. Helping students and getting appreciation for that is very meaningful to me. I’ve also gotten a bit involved in event logistics, which is super interesting! I’d like to gain more work experience in that area.’

And Ilse, you have sufficient experience in the professional field, having organised sporting events for businesses for 15 years. Are you a bit sporty yourself?
‘I think so, but opinions are divided on this at home. My husband went to a sports academy’ (laughs), ‘but I’m definitely a team player!’

From events to logistics. How did it go?
‘I was seeking a new job in the events industry and I came across the NHTV website. There I saw a vacancy for a tutor for the logistics programmes. I submitted an application letter to Leo Kemps, which was in 2007. As academy director, he knew exactly what type of personality he was missing in his team, and that was me! Thank you, Leo. I had no experience in education at all, but I was very handy with Excel and IT-related things. Within a week, I was standing in front of a class.’

And you immediately signed up for the intro committee? 
‘Pretty much, I’ve been on it for a long time. And I’m very happy with the new batch of lecturers who are now helping to make the introduction a success every time. We know from experience how important it is. And they understand how it works, as they’ve already been involved as senior students. And with the new people come new ideas. We no longer just run a programme at the Roerdomp;  we now do more on campus and in Breda too, which allows students to get to know their student city right away. This new approach also brings new challenges, including making sure everything is financially viable every  time. So now that I have this platform... would you, as a graduate, like to help the new generation of students get off to a good start? We can always use a few extra sponsors!’