European Studies

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Leeuwarden
European Studies

Opleiding European Studies van de Thorbecke Academie, NHL Stenden | NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Voor meer informatie bezoek gerust onze website!

Denk jij verder dan de grenzen van Nederland en spreek je je talen? Duik jij graag in actuele Europese vraagstukken, wil jij kennis over Europa opdoen, praktische vaardigheden leren én een brug slaan tussen theorie en praktijk? Dan is de opleiding European Studies de opleiding voor jou. Van Europese Unie tot Europees beleid en van diplomatiek tot internationale handel; jij duikt graag in actuele vraagstukken. Het komt allemaal aan bod tijdens deze internationaal georiënteerde studie.

21/05/2026

🇪🇺 Brussels Trip 2026 🇧🇪

From the European Commission and Parliament to think tanks, history, and of course a few iconic Brussels spots 🍻✨- our students had an unforgettable week in the heart of Europe!

During the trip, we visited European institutions, various think tanks, as well as the House of European History… while also making time for Delirium and the full Brussels experience 😌

A huge thank you to the representatives from all institutions for welcoming us and sharing their insights, and an extra shoutout to the organising committee, including the lecturers who joined us throughout the week 💙

15/05/2026

But there's some place that we'd rather be...

29/04/2026

Our student recently took part in the European Student Assembly (ESA26) as a Coordinator:

“Serving as a Coordinator for the European Student Assembly (ESA26), I led an international panel of 30 students in Strasbourg to address the complexities of EU Strategic Autonomy. In this leadership role, I facilitated policy formulation, expert sessions, and constructive debates, resulting in 10 comprehensive recommendations that were successfully passed by the Assembly. This role allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying core concepts from my European Studies curriculum, such as Geopolitics, EU Governance or Intercultural Communication.”

This is a great example of the many opportunities available to European Studies students outside the classroom. Projects like the European Student Assembly allow students to gain hands-on experience, build an international network, and apply what they learn during their studies in a real European setting. 🌍

To our younger students: keep an eye out for opportunities like this and don’t hesitate to apply - experiences like these can become a valuable part of your student journey. 💙

13/04/2026

🇪🇺External opportunity for students!

The EU Contest 2026 is an independent project offering students the chance to test their knowledge about the European Union through interactive quizzes and challenges - with opportunities to win trips to places like Brussels and Cyprus. ✈️

⚠️Please note that this contest is not organized by NHL Stenden European Studies, but we’re sharing it in case students are interested in participating:

🥁 We’d like to introduce you to… the EU Contest 2026! 🇪🇺

🚀 A European challenge, a learning experience, and maybe even your next adventure… all in one.

📚 Through interactive quizzes and bite-sized content, you’ll explore the European Union in a way that’s fun, engaging, and actually sticks 🤓

🍭 And yes — there’s more than knowledge to win 😉 Trips to Cyprus during its EU Presidency 🇨🇾, Brussels 🇧🇪, and even your dream European capital 🇪🇺… it’s all part of the game. Time to put your competitive side to the test and climb the leaderboard! 💪

If this sounds like something for you, you can learn more via and register before 1 May to secure your spot.

22/03/2026

Earlier this month, our lecturers Baudina Vassallo-Baarsma and Rocío Ruiz Méndez travelled to Malta to participate in the Skills Week organised by the European Studies program of the University of Malta.

During Skills Week, students engaged with a series of trainings on some current and relevant topics, including Geopolitics, Intercultural Communication, and key communication skills such as Presentation and Debating. Baudina and Rocío enjoyed contributing to these sessions with their expertise and perspectives.

The exchange also happened beyond the classroom. Our lecturers had the honour of attending the official graduation ceremony of the University of Malta's Master's and PhD students - a truly memorable moment. They also had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces: Esther Bakker, Thomas Unglaub, and Tess van Raan, alumni and guest exchange students from our very own European Studies Leeuwarden programme, who are currently based in Malta.

This partnership between NHL Stenden and the University of Malta is one of our most active international collaborations in higher education. This way, we share European Studies expertise, creating meaningful exchange opportunities for both students and staff, and building lasting connections across borders.

We would like to especially thank our colleagues Dr. Moira Catania and Dr. Jean Claude Cachia for their warm hospitality and their support. We look forward to welcoming colleagues from the University of Malta to Leeuwarden again and to continuing this valuable partnership for years to come.

19/03/2026

Last Friday the Thorbecke Alumni Day took place, to mark its 40th anniversary. We look back on the day with pride and satisfaction, and it was wonderful to see and speak to you all again. We hope to see you more often at future alumni gatherings. Thank you to everyone who came. A huge thank you also to the speakers Mart de Kruif and Pieter de Wilde for their interesting insights and their stories, and of course to Marije Hoogeveen for moderating. We hope to see you soon!

12/03/2026

🗳️ Vote for your fellow ES students!

It’s inspiring to see European Studies students taking an active role in local democracy and running in the upcoming municipal elections in Leeuwarden. If you’d like to support your course mates, you’ll have the chance to do so at the polls on Wednesday, 18 March.

Local elections shape many aspects of daily life in the city - from housing 🏡 and public transport 🚲 to sustainability 🌱 and other services students rely on. For (international) students who are eligible to vote, participating is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and contribute to the community you live in.

Different parties have different visions on issues that affect students and internationals, so take a moment to explore their programmes and decide which perspectives best reflect your interests and values.

💙 Democracy starts locally - see you at the polls!

05/03/2026

🗳️ Yes, even YOU, as an international student, can vote! 🇳🇱

The municipal elections in Leeuwarden are coming up on Wednesday, 18 March, and international students are part of the local community - which means you might have the right to vote! 🙌

If you’re an EU citizen registered as a resident in the municipality of Leeuwarden, or a non-EU citizen who has lived here for over 5 years, and you’re 18+, you’re eligible to participate.

You should’ve already received your stempas (voting pass) in the mail - if you haven’t and you’re eligible, make sure to request one from the municipality! 📨

Why does it matter?
Because local governments make decisions that directly impact your daily life - things like:
🏡 Housing and student accommodation
🚮 Waste collection,m and recycling
🚲 Infrastructure, traffic, and safety
🌳 Sustainability and public spaces
💶 Local taxes, fees and municipal budget
🏘️ Even the name of the municipality - so if “Leeuwarden” feels tricky to pronounce, these are the people to talk to! 😄

Jokes aside, this is your chance to make a difference and actively participate in democracy. Don’t sit this one out - your vote helps shape the city you live in. 💙

11/02/2026

A little bit of EU rizz for this coming Valentine's Day 💖

28/01/2026

From “I love cultures and speak 5 languages🫶” to “I cite treaties for fun🕴️”
And most of us? Somewhere in the middle crying over both 😞🇪🇺

Adres

Rengerslaan 08-10
Leeuwarden
8917DD

Telefoon

+31889917000

Website

https://www.nhlstenden.com/hbo-opleidingen/european-studies

Meldingen

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