Semester at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Polina Pashkova and Nikita Voronkov, students of the Business Administration program at HSE Graduate School of Business, spent their spring semester in the Netherlands at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Polina

My name is Polina Pashkova, and I went on exchange to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences during the second semester of my second year. Living in another country for an entire semester turned out to be a real adventure. During the first few days, I had to adjust to day-to-day life in a new environment: figuring out where the shops were, realizing that every self-respecting person in the Netherlands owns a bike, and getting used to the weather, which could change from +28°C to +11°C in one day.

The university campus — especially the Kralingse Zoom building, where my Agile Consultant program took place — was incredibly beautiful and spacious. The students were highly motivated and open-minded. Even amidst political uncertainty, I never encountered discrimination. Quite the opposite — friends and coaches alike offered both moral and financial support. The people you meet during your exchange often become lifelong friends. Although there was plenty of studying, there were even more parties, cozy rooftop gatherings at sunset, and spontaneous, unforgettable trips. The Netherlands has so much to see, and from Rotterdam it's easy to reach charming cities, small villages, and other European countries. Travel becomes part of student life — almost every weekend you're off to explore a new place with your friends. During my time there, I tried bouldering in The Hague, biked 42 kilometers through the Veluwe, tasted the famous Dutch snack kibbeling by the sea, indulged in Belgian waffles in Ghent, and visited the botanical gardens in Utrecht.

The academic system is very different from what we’re used to in Russia. While HSE tends to focus more on building a solid theoretical foundation, the Agile Consultant program was extremely practice-oriented. Throughout the exchange period, students worked in teams on real business projects. Representatives from various companies would present a real-world problem in the form of a case, answer team questions, and then attend our solution presentations, offering feedback and identifying useful insights. The best part was that many of these companies implemented our ideas shortly after our presentations. Theory was minimal and mostly consisted of revisiting the basics of the five areas of management: strategic, marketing, logistics, finance, and HR. The academic process was filled with workshops and high-pressure case-solving practice.

Overall, this experience gave me a clear understanding that I want to build my career in international consulting. I also became more aware of cultural differences and behavioral patterns, discovered new opportunities around me, and gained a clearer picture of my strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. I immersed myself in a completely different culture, made great friends, and traveled to incredible places with them.

Tips for future exchange students: Remember, mobility is definitely not just about studying. Find your balance between solving cases and spontaneous trips with friends. Take the chance — it’s worth it!

Recommendations:

• Affordable and quality bike rental: Swapfiets

• Best hot waffles (especially stroopwafels): Markthal

• Cheapest grocery market: Blaak (next to Markthal, on Tuesdays and Saturdays)

• Public transport: get an OV-chipkaart (similar to Moscow’s Troika card)

• Must-visit places: Scheveningen, The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Delft, Rheden, Dieren, Burgh-Haamstede, Ghent (Belgium)

For any questions, feel free to reach out to me on Telegram: @pollypepper

Nikita

Hi! I’m Nikita, a second-year student of the Business Administration program, and I’d like to share my experience studying at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Background
Originally, I planned to go on exchange in my third year. However, my friend Arina convinced me to join her in the Netherlands in the spring of 2022. The application process wasn’t easy due to overlapping deadlines with my IELTS exam, but the university was flexible and I managed to submit everything on time. Another challenge was that the program was intended for third-year students, and I was told priority would be given to those further along in their studies. Still, my application was accepted — and on February 4, I found myself in the Netherlands.

Academics
I chose what I believed to be the most exciting program at RUAS: Agile Consulting – Business Pressure Cooker. The program is fully focused on developing your skills as a manager and consultant using a case-based method. In short, you work on solving real business cases, and each time the timeframe gets shorter. For example, we had a week to complete the first case with Romynox, then three days for the next one — and eventually, just 24 hours, during which we barely slept. But this intensity was part of the adventure. Working under pressure in an international team gave us unforgettable memories and incredible experience.

There was virtually no theory — everything beyond what was provided on Moodle had to be researched independently. All courses were evaluated through a single final case exam lasting 10 hours. My teammate Maximilian and I were the first students ever to score a perfect 10 on it.

One of the highlights of studying at RUAS is the deep immersion into an international environment. Our group included students from all over the world: France, Germany, Russia, Bangladesh, Ireland, and over 10 other countries. You learn to collaborate and overcome cross-cultural barriers in areas you thought were straightforward — like presentations. For instance, in the Netherlands, most presentations were just plain text on a white background, with minimal visuals. I introduced a more engaging business presentation style, and in return, Dutch and German students taught me impressive public speaking skills, enhanced by our Presentation & Negotiations course. Every person on the program was unique — and learning about their backgrounds and cultures was one of the most enriching aspects of the exchange.

That year, we also had the incredible opportunity to conclude the program with an international case competition in Hong Kong, where our team took third place, competing with top business schools from China, the US, and Europe.

To sum up, the program became a truly transformative experience for me. It significantly boosted both my hard and soft skills. The constant time pressure taught me punctuality and discipline — skills that definitely come in handy at HSE with its many deadlines!

Culture and Society
Unlike in other European countries I’ve visited, I never felt like a foreigner in the Netherlands — society is made up of so many different nationalities that coexist in surprising harmony. During the entire four months, I didn’t experience any negative attitudes or bias, which made the exchange even more enjoyable. My friends and I traveled across the Netherlands and went on a holiday to Belgium — unforgettable experiences! The country is compact, trains are fast and affordable, which makes getting around very easy. I recommend getting an anonymous OV-chipkaart right after you rent a Swapfiets bike — it will give you complete freedom to explore the country and the Benelux region.

Dutch food deserves a special mention — their culinary preferences are a bit unusual, with a lot of bread, potatoes, mayonnaise, and deep-fried snacks. At first, it was strange, but I got used to it and even started to enjoy it by the end of the exchange.

I was also amazed by the bicycle culture — I never imagined how convenient a bike could be for getting around the city. You can reach any place of interest in Rotterdam within 15–20 minutes. Many cafés are also bike repair shops or have fitness facilities for cyclists, so don’t be surprised to see someone ride straight into a café on their bike!

Finally, the country itself is stunning. Unlike Moscow, Rotterdam is covered in greenery, which creates shade, clean air, and a cheerful mood. The city is full of parks, green spaces, and canals, making bike rides — solo or with friends — an absolute must.

Conclusion
Thanks to HSE, I had the opportunity to gain unique cross-cultural experience, for which I’m truly grateful. The program at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences helped me grow as a manager and consultant, motivated me to pursue internships, and gave me friends from all over the world.

Best cafés in Rotterdam:

• Social

• Giraffe Coffee Roasters

• Coffeecompany (near Markthal)

Best places to try traditional Dutch food:

• Markthal

• University cafeteria

Best bars in Rotterdam:

• Spikizi Bar

• Amehoela

Must-try experiences:

• Stroopwafels

• Boat tour of Rotterdam’s harbor

Must-visit places:

• Nederlands Fotomuseum

• Rijksmuseum

• Amsterdam

• Keukenhof (the iconic tulip fields)

• Ghent

• Brussels

• Maastricht

Rotterdam University: personal impressions

Video: Polina Pashkova and Nikita Voronkov