Agile Consulting Program at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Anastasia Guschevarova, a third-year undergraduate student of the “Business Administration” program at HSE University’s Graduate School of Business, spent the spring semester of 2021 at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands as part of the international mobility program. She shared her impressions of the Agile Consulting – Business Pressure Cooker program.
My name is Anastasia Guschevarova, and I’m a third-year student in the “Business Administration” undergraduate program at the Graduate School of Business, HSE University. During the spring semester of 2021, I took part in an international mobility program and studied at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. I was enrolled in the Agile Consulting – Business Pressure Cooker program.
Studying abroad during a pandemic was a major challenge. Despite the host university being extremely helpful with the visa and other documentation, I still had to overcome a number of difficulties: additional PCR tests, an antigen test required during my layover in Istanbul, and quarantine. Unfortunately, that was the reality, and there was nothing I could do to change it.
After I arrived in the Netherlands, the pandemic situation worsened, and all universities switched to online learning while public places were closed. For the first two months of my exchange, I could not visit the university campus and studied via Microsoft Teams. Fortunately, by the fall, our professors began holding in-person classes in small groups. Sometimes, we even met unofficially to attend face-to-face classes.
My academic program deserves special attention. In this university, I couldn’t choose individual courses, only a specific program with a fixed course package. This setup allowed the professors to structure the learning process in a unique and unconventional format: we didn’t have lectures or seminars, nor did we have specific course titles. Every day our timetable listed sessions simply called “BPC Core.” We never knew in advance what exactly we would be doing. Most often, we worked on business cases, covering marketing, finance, operations management, and HRM — all at once. To be honest, I really enjoyed this approach. It felt like a breath of fresh air in education. Seeing familiar things from a new perspective was truly inspiring!
On top of that, we got to work with several Dutch companies, for which we developed consulting projects by the end of the program. Presenting our work to the top management of these companies in English was a real test for me — but it all went smoothly!
My program was truly international. I studied alongside 50 students from all over the world: Mexico, Spain, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Brazil, Turkey, Finland, Colombia — and, of course, many Dutch students from different academic backgrounds. They were all highly motivated and driven, and I learned a lot from them.
Even with the three-month curfew and restrictions, we had an active social life. We often met in the park for barbecues, learned to play tennis, and organized sports competitions. Some of us traveled together to other cities and countries, went to the beach, and even managed to enjoy a few parties. It was an unforgettable time!
I also fell deeply in love with the city I lived in. In my opinion, Rotterdam is the best city to live in — not just in the Netherlands, but anywhere. Amsterdam is more touristy, whereas Rotterdam feels more spacious and calm. The futuristic architecture in the city’s newer districts is just as fascinating as its charming historic streets and museums. Rotterdam is often called the city of the future for a reason — the infrastructure is incredible.
I’m returning to Russia as a completely different person. I’ve gained a new perspective on myself and the world. I’m energized, inspired, and eager to go back. I’m extremely grateful to HSE University for giving me the opportunity to study abroad, and I hope more students will take advantage of this life-changing experience.
Rotterdam University: personal experience. Part 1
Video: Anastasia GuschevarovaRotterdam University: personal experience. Part 2
Video: Anastasia Guschevarova