Stenden South Africa

17/06/2026

Meet Emma, a second-year Pedagogy student from NHL Stenden Leeuwarden, who is currently spending half a year in South Africa as part of her internship experience.

Emma is here with 10 fellow students, making the journey one of shared learning, friendship and discovery. Alongside their internships and online classes, the group has also had time to explore more of South Africa, from safaris and wine tastings to weekends away. Even online classes feel different during a Grand Tour experience, with some sessions followed from their laptops while enjoying the South African sunshine.

“We are not at the end of our journey just yet, but I’m sure the memories of this past half year are going to last a lifetime. So if you’re doubting to come here, just do it.” - Emma

Her story captures the spirit of the Grand Tour: learning in a new environment, stepping into new experiences and making memories that last well beyond the semester. 🌍

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15/06/2026

For Antonella Saligari, her time in Port Alfred as part of the Destination Elective offered a meaningful introduction to fieldwork beyond the classroom.

Antonella’s group contributed to research focused on the potential redevelopment of the historic Old Market Place building, exploring how the 1928 space could be transformed into a hub for social and economic inclusion. The project gave students the opportunity to engage with the surrounding community, learn from local perspectives and better understand the role that spaces like this can play in inclusive development.

Her photos offer a glimpse into what it is like to study in sunny Port Alfred: exploring the town, connecting with local people, experiencing the coastal setting and learning from the everyday realities of the community.

“The most rewarding part was the human connection: we spoke with so many different people, from local fruit and craft vendors to NGO leaders, gathering personal stories and insights that no textbook could ever provide.” - Antonella Saligari

Her reflection highlights the value of applied research that is shaped by community voices, local context and practical opportunities for meaningful impact. 👏

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11/06/2026

In May, we proudly celebrated the graduation of two of our own, Maye Rozani and Kristin Waters.

While working with Stenden South Africa, both Maye and Kristin completed their B.Com degrees in Hospitality Management through Stenden South Africa, balancing their studies, work and personal commitments with real dedication.

Their achievement is a special reminder that growth happens within our own community too, and that the learning journey we offer is one our own staff members believe in.

Congratulations, Maye and Kristin. We are incredibly proud of you both. 🎓

08/06/2026

“I really liked working on a project that has value for the town / community. It felt like I was actually able to contribute something for the development of tourism here in Port Alfred.” - Vianne Leenders

As part of the Destination Elective at Stenden South Africa, Vianne Leenders contributed to research focused on the potential development of a Multifunctional Hub in Port Alfred’s historic Old Market Place building.

The project explored how the space could be reimagined to support tourism, local commerce, entrepreneurship and community upliftment, while contributing to broader conversations around sustainable tourism development in the region.

For Vianne, the experience was shaped not only by the research itself, but also by meaningful community engagement, including a township tour that deepened her understanding of the different realities within Port Alfred. Her reflection speaks to the value of applied research: connecting academic learning with real places, real people and practical opportunities for local development.

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05/06/2026

Stenden South Africa recently welcomed Ed Gutshe as a guest lecturer for our Tourism Master’s students from NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

A prominent local businessman in Port Alfred, Ed has played an active role in developing Port Alfred as a tourism destination through his involvement with Sunshine Coast Tourism Port Alfred.

During his session, he shared valuable insight into destination branding, local tourism challenges and the progress made over the years. We are grateful to Ed for sharing his knowledge and experience with our students.

29/05/2026

Innovation in conservation came to life during our Change and Innovation field trip to Buffalo Kloof 🌿

Surrounded by incredible landscapes, students had the opportunity to see how evolving technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence are being used in wildlife conservation to monitor animal movements, support anti-poaching efforts and strengthen conservation strategies.

What made the experience even more meaningful was seeing how Buffalo Kloof works alongside local communities through education, awareness and employment opportunities - showing that lasting change is most powerful when it is collaborative and inclusive.

Experiences like these give students the chance to connect theory with practice while growing their understanding of sustainability, innovation and the future of conservation.

27/05/2026

Grand Tour student Floris van der Laan, experienced hands-on experience through the Wildlife Management minor at Stenden South Africa as part of a broader international learning journey.

During this minor, students worked on the development and management of their own wildlife park, including eco-lodges, with a strong focus on conservation, sustainable park management and the balance between wildlife protection and tourism.

His time at Stenden South Africa gave him the opportunity to engage directly with sustainability in practice and experience learning in a unique natural environment. Experiences like these give students the chance to apply their knowledge in a practical setting while building valuable skills for the future.

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27/05/2026