Indian student Varun shares his experience studying his Master’s in Leading Hotel Transformation in the Netherlands, covering the fee structure, course structure, and career prospects after graduation.
Moving to a new country to pursue a master’s degree is a life‑changing decision, filled with excitement, curiosity, and occasional uncertainty. To help prospective students gain a genuine impression of what it’s like to study at Hotelschool The Hague, we sat down with current MA student Varun Zende, 27 years old, who moved from India to the Netherlands to begin his journey in hospitality leadership.
In this Q&A, Varun shares his first‑hand experiences, from industry connections and campus life to navigating housing and building a professional network. His honest insights aim to prepare and inspire future students to consider joining our international community.
Read the full Q&A here:
“During your first period at Hotelschool The Hague, what opportunities did you have to connect with the hospitality industry?”
I joined HTH in September, and by October there was already a career fair for the LyCar (BA students in their final phase) students that we Master’s students could also attend. It was a great way to get a sense of industry and understand what hospitality businesses expect from us.
Since we had almost 10 months left to finish our Master’s, applying for jobs wasn’t possible yet, as companies don’t usually hire that far in advance.
The second career fair takes place in March, and my goal is to be well prepared for that one. One concern as a non-EU resident to keep in mind is that companies offering to sponsor visas are quite rare, so options can be limited. This is something to keep in mind before coming here.
“How have you experienced studying on campus in Amsterdam so far?”
This experience is very different from back home. The lectures are very student-driven and professors act more like conductors guiding discussions. You’re expected to speak up, bring your experience to the table, and learn from your classmates as much as from the faculty.
The dynamic between students and staff is open and transparent. Professors are extremely approachable. And the Master coordinator Caroline is always available to support you with practically anything, so don't hesitate to reach out to her.
“The teaching style here encourages you to speak up and learn from your peers, it’s very collaborative.”
“What has it been like living in Amsterdam as an international student, and what should future students know about housing and fees?
I don't actually live in Amsterdam. I commute from Hengelo, which is around one and a half/two hours away. But most of my classmates live in or closer to Amsterdam. Since I only need to be on campus two to three days a week, travel is manageable for me. Housing is something you really need to be careful about. There is a student housing shortage, and whatever is available is usually expensive.
Since Hotelschool The Hague is a public institution, the tuition fee is very low for EU citizens. For non-EU students, you pay a higher fee structure, but the quality of education is top-notch. And the network you build here can be instrumental in your future.
“Housing is a real challenge in the Netherlands. Start your search early to have a good chance of finding a place and be prepared for higher rental prices.”
“Have you had the chance to connect with fellow students or alumni? How important is the HTH community for your career opportunities?”
I joined the Alumni Network immediately after my admission was confirmed. Keep an eye on the portal, as alumni around the world post job opportunities there.
Some alumni also come to campus as guest lecturers. Personally, these are my favourite sessions, as you get to build first-hand industry connections.
There is a course called Personal Leadership, where alumni become your mentors for the year. Listen to them and take advantage of their experience, they will help you get your foot in the door.
“The alumni mentors give you industry insights you won’t find anywhere else, they genuinely help you enter the global hospitality sector.”
