YOUSHUO YAN, CHINA
My name is Youshuo Yan. I come from Yichang, China. Before I came to the University of Twente, I was studying English translation and interpretation at a Chinese university in Xi’an. Now I am studying Business Administration with specialisations in Supply Management and Business-to-Business Marketing at the University of Twente.
I really came to the University of Twente by coincidence. Having received a few offers from different Dutch universities, I started to compare their programmes and the UT was the best match. So I decided to come and study at the UT. So far, I’m really glad I made that decision. The UT is not very well-known among Chinese students for its business programmes; most people only know about its excellent technical programmes.
Studying at the UT is challenging. My programme is very intensive and you have to do a lot more than merely attending lectures. I have many group assignments, in which good communication skills are a basic requirement. It is also great that even in the first year you have guest lectures by managers of companies; it gives you a good understanding of how real business works. The professors are very strict, but on the other hand they are easy to approach: most questions can be raised during lectures. Of course, you can also have a private conversation with a professor during office hours, if you make an appointment.
Another strong point is the design of the programmes here at the UT. The programme I’m doing is unique compared to those offered by other universities and it has a clear focus. In the first year, you take courses covering a wide range of business activities. By the end of that stage, you will know where your interest lies. In the second year, you’re allowed to choose specialisations and you focus on a specific field of business. You also have the chance of doing an internship, which, nowadays, is a really important preparation for your career.
Apart from studying, living here is enjoyable, too. Enschede is not a big city but it has a lot to offer. The environment is quiet, but there’s always a lot going on. The UT campus is absolutely fantastic, with great landscapes and nice buildings. Running in the forest on campus with my room mates used to be my favourite activity. I also go to the gym sometimes, or play badminton with friends at the sports centre.
Read more information about the programme International Business Administration.