“Thanks to HZ I can really make a change”

Creating real change, Nina is on it at HZ

Nina is determined to contribute to a sustainable world. She tackles important and complex issues as a student of the bachelor Global Project and Change Management at HZ. Nina moved from Germany to The Netherlands because study programmes in English are rare in her country. She wants to learn more about different cultures and how she can express herself all over the world. The first step to change is convincing people or companies worldwide that change is really needed. You learn that at HZ which is one of the few universities of applied sciences that offers this course in English. And if you ask Nina what she wants to change most, she will tell you it is the gap between developed and developing countries. It breaks her heart.

Putting it into practice

Nina no longer says "I'm going home" when she goes back to Germany. Unconsciously she started calling both Germany and Middelburg her home. She has completely settled in at HZ's Global Project and Change Management (GPCM) programme. Why has Nina chosen to follow this path? Nina: "Having a sustainable lifestyle is important to me. I would like to develop the skills to actually do something about global problems and not just the theory behind it. Everyone can talk about it but we need people that have the right qualifications and the skills to actually do something about it on a long term basis. For this I'm in the right place at HZ! Here I learn how to become a flexible project and change manager. Theory and practice merge seamlessly. I immediately implement the things I learn at lectures into the projects. And for me that is the only way I will actually remember everything."

I can make a change!

Nina: "In general I'm a very positive person. So I believe that everyone can make a positive change and that small changes make a big impact all together. We are living on our planet with billions of people. If everybody does something to help the world become more sustainable it will have an effect on the whole world." It sounds like Nina knows exactly what she wants, but she finds it difficult to say what she wants to change the most because there is so much that can be done. Though the one thing that really breaks her heart is the fact that we all live on the same earth while not having the same privileges and resources. Nina: "I can just go to the store and buy whatever I want while many children live in poverty. I feel so privileged that I was born in Germany and that I have the chance to receive an education. If anything, I would like to narrow the gap between rich and poor countries."

Fridays are there to get inspired

Every day the GPCM students follow classes and work together on their projects. But on Fridays they have the opportunity to discuss and work on topics that are not directly part of the study programme. Topics are chosen from a whiteboard that are filled by students themselves at the beginning of the academic year. It's called 'Inspiration Friday'. The students are responsible for the organisation but HZ always offers help and connections whenever it is needed. So far they have organised a beach clean-up, joined the World Refugee Walk, invited professionals from all over the world to speak, harvested potatoes in a local vegetable garden and explored the city of Middelburg, in search of sustainable spots like shops that sell goods that are sustainably made and restaurants where you can eat vegan food. Nina: "It's like a one day mini project and it's so much fun! These days are truly inspiring.

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