Students tell

What do you like the most about IFC?

• ‘The emphasis on project work, which prepares graduates to hit the ground running in their future careers.
• The way of giving lessons by challenging students to find the right answer. It prepares graduates for the fact that there rarely is a right answer in the real world.
• The work placement and graduation assignment: they give students a year’s worth of work experience, giving them unparalleled learning opportunities.
• A semester spent abroad, which familiarizes students with academic concepts from other cultures and gives a strong competitive advantage to students upon returning to their home institution.’

Example of a project

'The IFC study is a project-centered education. We have experienced at least one big project at a time. Working on the Strategic Control project in the last semester has been the best experience. Within the boundaries of an in-class assignment, I had the chance to lead a ‘pretend’ strategy consulting assignment for a listed Dutch company. It took us precise coordination, multidisciplinary business research and hard work but in the end, our team was able to deliver the highest-quality report among our peers.’

Study abroad in the USA

'I completed my study abroad semester at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, in southern Wisconsin. I chose UW-W because it stood out among the HAN partner schools as giving students comprehensive preparation for professional development. At UW-W I followed classes in Cost Accounting, Accounting Info Systems, Multinational Business Finance, International Banking & Finance, and History of Economic Thought. The Accounting Info Systems class helped me secure my first internship upon my return to the Netherlands in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance & internal audit.'

Work placement

'My placement was in the field of corporate governance, but also in the annual closing the books process. This was my firsthand experience with the fast-paced and dynamic world of finance. Such an initial glimpse was priceless in allowing me to set my personal development and career goals.'

Graduation assignment

‘I have completed my graduation assignment at AkzoNobel. My graduation assignment was in the field of international financial reporting and especially in helping an organisation change in line with its parent organisation. There was room for improvement of the processes within the financial department at headquarters. I enjoyed working as an external process consultant and learned how to work as part of a team, but also to pursue my project goal and ensure its implementation.’

Future plans

‘My professional goal is to develop the competences necessary to be an advisor to businesses at the strategic level. I would like to be able to advise corporations on Mergers & Acquisitions and other strategic issues.’