A University with no exams?

Irene from Spain studied one semester at Windesheim where she followed the exchange programme International Business Studies. During the programme she shared here experiences.

October 2024: 

It’s been a month since I started my Erasmus programme at Windesheim, and one thing has really surprised me: I have no exams!

The Dutch education system, especially my university’s "Applied Science" approach, is quite different from what we are used to in Spain. They try to focus on real-world scenarios, preparing you for situations you will face in your future career. That’s why, during this time, I only have group projects. And while group work is always a challenge, imagine doing it with people from five different countries, each bringing their unique way of doing things. But honestly, that’s where I believe the value of this programme lies. It forces you to adapt and learn how to communicate and collaborate in an international environment.

A few things have really stood out to me so far, which every professor here implements when it comes to group work:

• Code of Conduct: Before starting any project, we draft this document. This helps the team understand what’s expected from each person and ensures everyone is committed from the beginning. In short, it avoids misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page from the start.
• Basket of Points: Whether we like it or not, there’s always someone who does a little bit more in group projects. With this system, the professors grade the project as a whole, but then it's up to the team to decide how to distribute the points. It is a clear example of negotiation and consensus building.
• Continuous Feedback: While the final project is what’s graded, we are required to present our progress regularly to the entire class. This ensures we are on the right track and gives us valuable feedback, helping us adjust course if needed.

I really believe that these tools make group work more transparent and manageable, and that they enhance the collaboration process.

I am looking forward to learning a lot here and making the most of this experience.
 

January 2025:

One of the things I value most about studying in the Netherlands is how different the educational system is compared to Spain. Each subject is structured around a unique project that determines your grade, but Operations Management Game truly stood out to me.

As its name suggests, over the past few months, we’ve been playing a game. Yes, my grade depended on how well I performed in the simulation and how effectively I could justify every decision my team made.

This simulation challenged us to manage a sports company. Our goal? Achieve the highest market share by making key decisions, such as:

• What pricing strategy should we adopt for our products?
• How much should we invest in marketing? What message should we communicate, and through which channels?
• How do we forecast demand and anticipate market growth? Which supplier should we choose?
• Should we raise employee salaries or hire a new manager?

Making these decisions and seeing their direct impact on the company was not only fun but also really interesting. It allowed us to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context and see how each choice shaped the outcomes. I also learned how crucial it is to define a clear strategy from the beginning and stick to it. I believe that, thanks to this focus, my team and I were able to secure first place in the simulation!

This result wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of my entire team. Since I arrived here, I’ve realized how much you can learn by working with people from different cultures. You gain new perspectives and discover ways of working that you would never have thought of on your own. I think we worked so well together as a group.

Finally, a big thank you to the lecturers. It's great to have professors like Ferdi, who make learning so engaging. A few weeks ago, he even took us to the PEC Zwolle stadium to see the strategies behind managing a professional football club. Seeing how the concepts we study in class come to life in real-world scenarios is, for me, one of the most effective ways to learn.