Interview IBEX teacher

1. What is your name?

Hans van Oudheusden, Head of International Relations

2. Which classes do you teach?

Business Skills

3. Is it hard to teach in English?

It is not hard, but sometimes you need more time for preparation.

4. Do students have any difficulties concerning the English language?

Well, generally it is not a problem. I would say that 90% of all international students here have a good or at least a sufficient level of English. Some students struggle, but I admire their courage. After all, you can only improve yourself if you try and go for it.

5. What do you think about the IBEX programme itself?

It is a perfect combination of Marketing and Finance. Our philosophy is: a marketing specialist without financial knowledge is a lousy marketeer and vice versa. In International Business both disciplines are equally important. So that is why the IBEX semester offers modules which are focusing on very different areas. Furthermore, modules like Project and Business Skills contribute to other qualities, to students’ soft skills. IBEX is a complete package: core modules + some electives. Last year international students with only a marketing background had some difficulties with the finance-oriented modules. That is why we made some changes in the way we offer those modules. I am quite confident everything will go well this semester. It is all about the efforts you are willing to put in.

6. What is your prospective goal in terms of education (what can students expect from your lessons)?

Students can expect interactive classes. No lessons where you can lean back; you will be challenged. And, of course, our focus is international. Our aim is to prepare students for the international business world. Employability is the key principle.

7. Which benefits do you see for IBEX students in comparison to regular classes?

IBEX is something special, completely different from what normal classes are. I already mentioned the broad business perspective. But moreover, students from different nationalities (right now we have students from seven different countries in one class!) have completely different mindsets. That makes IBEX very interesting and adds a big advantage to the programme. And, of course, participating in IBEX is a huge plus for your CV!

8. What is the difference between a Dutch student and a student from abroad?

Sometimes students from abroad seem to be more motivated. But in a way that is understandable. They actually made the decision to go abroad, they thought everything through. Most Dutch students still live at home and have to deal with their daily routine; their lives have changed less dramatically.

Students from abroad are more eager to get good marks. Most Dutch students do not seem to care; they just want to pass their exams.

9. This is the second year of the IBEX program, did all students from last year pass the IBEX programme?

Last year we had 26 students participating in the programme (13 international students ,13 Dutch students). 22 students out of 26 passed their exams successfuly and got the IBEX certificate, the rest of the class had to do resits.

10. Do you have any advice for the current and new IBEX students?

You have to be motivated and your English should be reasonably good.

Most important: Enjoy it! You only get out what you are prepared to put in. So make contact with students from other countries, do many things together, cooperate, learn many things about different cultures.! Do not treat this course as a normal one.

Make IBEX to something special!