119 INHolland University of Applied Sciences students embark on China expedition
29 Apr 2010
THE HAGUE (The Netherlands), April 2010 — A total of 119 students of INHolland University of Applied Sciences have left The Netherlands for China for a six-week study stay and expedition. The so called “Expedition INChina” is a key component of a newly designed 6-month elective minor open to students from all fields of study at INHolland. During their expedition, the students take part in an intensive study program at several top Chinese universities and conduct research for various companies and institutions
“After having worked on forming relationships in China for years, our institution has managed to gain so much trust from our Chinese colleagues that this large-scale approach is now possible. It is the first time that a Dutch college is sending so many students to China at once,” says Geert Dales, President of the INHolland Board of Governors.
After a ten week preparatory study at INHolland, a group of 119 INHolland students have now started their journey and encountered the real China. Divided into four groups, they are enrolled in intense study programs at INHolland’s partner universities in Shanghai, Jinan, Chengdu and Chongqing. At the hands of experienced Chinese teachers the students immerse in Chinese language, culture, history, humanities and business, building on the basic knowledge and understanding gained during the first part of their curriculum at INHolland. Several guest speakers, including Chinese professionals and experts, Dutch and other Western expatriates, and INHolland alumni, also contribute to the program by sharing their professional expertise and experience on various themes. In their free time, the students attend cultural excursions and social activities together with Chinese fellow students, their so-called “buddies”.
After completing the four-week curriculum at the partner university the groups will go on a real expedition through several rural and urban regions all the way to the Chinese capital, Beijing, as their final destination. During this trip the students will visit historic and cultural sites, companies and institutions, infrastructural projects, and spectacular natural scenery, whilst continuing to work on their research assignments and projects. The expedition will be concluded with a reception by the Dutch Ambassador Bekink at his Beijing residence.
The new program has attracted a record number of students from various disciplines among INHolland’s near 100 bachelor programs on offer at several campus locations in key regions in the western part of the Netherlands. Top students across various subjects from all INHolland’s locations were selected from the many applications. Various student teams are working on topics for organisations wanting to do business in China or with China. There are also teams conducting research for their own school or department, or who are doing programme-related assignments.
According to two students, the set-up of this new minor is unique. “Exchange minors in which you follow classes at a European university for a period of five months have been available at INHolland for some time. This unique new program is a combination of 10 weeks of preparatory classes in the Netherlands, a 6-week expedition to China, followed by a program wrap-up in the Netherlands. The preparatory classes include Mandarin language lessons, intercultural communications, Chinese history, modern society and master classes given by both Chinese and Dutch professionals and experts. And now we are embarking on a six-week trip to China”, said Stephanie Zumbrink on the eve of the journey to China. Laura Peetoom adds: “This chance offered by INHolland is an opportunity that nobody should pass up.” Zumbrink continues: “The combination of studying, travelling, and experiencing what for most is a new country is an ideal situation. The preparations were well organised; we all got our inoculations at school, visas were arranged for and exams were completed. We are ready to go!”
China is a key country in INHolland’s internationalization strategy, and this elective course was carefully designed to offer students a unique opportunity to truly experience China and Chinese culture, broaden their horizons, and prepare them for a future international career. The program was developed in close cooperation with and thanks to the support of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Dutch Embassy in China, the Netherlands Education Support Office in Beijing, the Chinese Embassy in The Netherlands, and INHolland’s Chinese partner universities: Shandong University of Finance (Jinan), Shanghai Normal University (Shanghai), Sichuan University (Chengdu) and Chongqing University (Chongqing).
Reflecting the principle of true exchange, it is anticipated that some 60 Chinese students from INHolland’s longstanding partners Shandong University of Finance and Shanghai Normal University will participate in an “Expedition INEurope” program comprising a 4-week study stay at INHolland in the summer of 2010 and a visit to several European countries.