A Semester at Nyenrode
Isabel’s Exchange Journey in the Heart of the Netherlands
Isabel Wernlundh, a 21-year-old Business student from Sweden, opens up about her unforgettable exchange experience at Nyenrode.
Attracted by the country’s central location in Europe and the chance to explore new places, Isabel quickly found that the reality surpassed her expectations.
From intimate classrooms to making lifelong friends, she shares how studying abroad has shaped both her academic and personal growth—and why she’d recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting exchange adventure.
Could you please introduce yourself briefly?
Hello! My name is Isabel Wernlundh and I am 21 years old from Gothenburg in Sweden but lives in Stockholm. I am currently in my 3rd year of my Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics.
What attracts you to the Netherlands?
I had a friend from my home university that was an exchange student here at Nyenrode last year who loved it and recommended it to me. I was also curious about the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, as I had never been here before.
In addition, the Netherlands has a central location in Europe, making it flexible to travel to different countries as well as different cities within the Netherlands itself which suited me since I love to travel and explore new places. This also made it easy for my family and friends to come visit me, which I’m really happy about!
"Everyone on campus has been so open-minded and inclusive, not only the Dutch students towards us exchange students but also among the international students themselves.
This welcoming culture has helped me meet friends from many different countries, making the experience even more exciting. The campus feels like a 'family' with a strong sense of community."
Isabel Wernlundh, BScBA Exchange Student
How would you describe your experience in the classrooms and on the campus at Nyenrode Breukelen?
The classes at Nyenrode Breukelen are very different from those at my home university. In Sweden, I’m used to being in large lecture halls with around 300 students, whereas here we have about 40–60 students per class and only around 20–30 in each lecture group. This smaller size creates a more intimate, engaging learning environment where it’s easier to interact with both the professors and other students.
I also really enjoy the structure of the lectures, which combine both informative content and practical assessments. This approach is more hands-on compared to what I’m used to, but I really appreciate it because I feel I’m learning a lot more by practicing the concepts in real-time. The smaller class sizes and interactive teaching style make the classroom experience here both unique and rewarding.
Do you believe having international students is valuable at a Dutch university?
Yes, I believe having international students is very valuable at a Dutch university. We bring different languages, cultures, and viewpoints that make the classroom discussions more interesting. It’s also great to learn from each other and share our experiences I would say! Having international friends also helps us practice different languages and improve our communication skills. Also, building a global network of friends can be really helpful for our future careers.
Overall, the diversity that international students bring not only makes the university more exciting but also helps all students become more open-minded and ready for a global world.
What are your goals or plans for the future?
After I finish my exchange semester at Nyenrode, I will return to the Stockholm School of Economics to complete my last semester and write my thesis. Once I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I hope to pursue a master’s program, preferably abroad, as I’ve really enjoyed studying in a different country.
I’m still not entirely sure about what specifically I want to work in, but I find finance very interesting, so perhaps something in that field. I’d also be open to working abroad for a few years to gain more international experience. Eventually, I want to return to Sweden to live and work since my family and friends are there. I’m grateful to have had the chance to study in both Sweden and the Netherlands, as it has given me valuable insights and perspectives.