I am very glad to have participated in the 2024 Netherlands Asia Honors Summer School! Over 9 months, I along with 70 other amazing students pursued a journey that would shift the rest of our lives. The NAHSS has 3 components which include academia, business, and culture. The program organized by the NAHSS board includes these areas and brings opportunities that all can learn from. This year was the first year that the NAHSS opened its doors to international students and I was one of the lucky few who were able to join. At first, I had my doubts about an institution that had catered towards Dutch students before but this intrusive thought vanished immediately when I met the other students. What an incredibly smart, talented, determined, and funny group of students I have met! Dutch and international students from different universities and study fields from all over the Netherlands. Our joint interest in learning about Asia brought us together.
Although the NAHSS is for one summer, the memories and the impact the trip leaves you are forever. At the Kick-off event in March, you are introduced to everyone. Then you are divided into groups of 7 or 8, who will be working on a consultancy project for one of the NAHSS partners between March and August. The consultancy projects have a broad range, in 2024 there were projects for PWC, TNO, AS WATSON, and many more. Last year I did a consultancy project about implementing AI in fish farming in Vietnam for Royal De Heus. Our group also won the best group project award as well!
How much time does it take?
This depends on how you and the group decide to divide the project. In my group, at first, we aimed to complete desk research and so had one meeting per week. So I would say I spent 5 hours per week, including the group meeting. But as the Asia trip came close and our project developed we all began to spend more and more time on the project. Everyone’s schedules were taken into consideration. So overall, it was very doable alongside full-time study.
What was the highlight for you?
The Asia trip to Hong Kong and Vietnam! The cities that we traveled to were so different from each other so we definitely had a taste of Asia. The urban landscape of Hong Kong juxtaposed the natural landscapes of Vietnam. Each city we went to had its own unique character and history. We had the free time to also explore beyond the main cities of the program, some went to Cambodia, Singapore, and remote islands during the weekends. My world perspective and POV have shifted completely as I was able to explore cultures as a tourist, a student, a traveler, and a possible future business partner! The NAHSS has the unique ability to introduce these aspects to you!
What has NAHSS brought you?
Before the trip, I expected it to be very content-heavy and thought I would spend most of my time researching about the consultancy project but I had the most wonderful time exploring cultures and making wonderful memories with new friends. Let’s also not forget that we were still working on the project, but it was these great memories and experiences that helped shape our consultancy project in the end.
Through the NAHSS, I can proudly say that I am more knowledgeable than I was before. I am more willing to push myself further to study new fields that are not within my own. The collaborative nature of the NAHSS made me push myself outside of my comfort zone and interact with other fields and studies. I gained new soft and hard skills as well. As a participant, you will come across people with all sorts of backgrounds and ambitions, and so if you go in with a genuine interest in either the NAHSS themes or a part of Asia, I am more than sure you find friends and mentors to learn from!
Lastly, all I can say to interested students is that, if you are determined to become a global citizen and are ready to think outside the box and beyond borders, then take the time and the opportunity to apply for the NAHSS 2025! It's worth it!
