My name is Robin Hammond. I come from Zimbabwe, a country where agriculture is easily the most important factor of its people and economy. If I wanted to pursue my dream of building my own business back home, I knew I had to find a study programme that could give me the right tools, and I did. I’m now studying International Agribusiness & Trade at VHL, where I’ve found the perfect mix of agronomy, international business, and hands-on experience.

Why I chose this programme

With some past agricultural knowledge, what I sought was to specialise more into the agronomy and business aspects of the food industry. This programme offers exactly that, and much more. I chose the Netherlands because of their renowned international trade expertise where I could be encouraged to grow personally and professionally and build a long-lasting network. The Netherlands and Van Hall Larenstein is a great place for internationals, where there is an excellent proficiency of English, and where people are friendly, festive and welcoming!

Study moments and highlights

In just my two years of this programme, I have learnt a tremendous amount. We have a range of internationally skilled lecturers who each have specialisations in certain topics, and a student body which is built on people from all corners of the world. The personal backgrounds of students and teachers make the classroom an exciting one with interesting discussions and perspectives.

Personally, the most interesting classes so far have been:

• Our horticultural classes, where we work in the greenhouse and learn about biological aspects of plant growth
• Marketing of B2C (business to consumer) and B2B (business to business)
• Business and Culture, where we ask ourselves how cultural differences affect business relations

Another valuable aspect of the study was my internship. I managed to find a small boutique vineyard in Belgium. This was truly a unique experience, where I stayed and worked for two months. Daily activities included checking the grapes for any signs of pests or diseases, pruning, cutting back vines to allow as much sun as possible and of course, a sneaky taste of grape varieties I had never heard of before! Then came harvest. I learnt basics in viticulture, its cultivation, winemaking, components of the value chain, and sales. This was a great experience which has allowed me to bring my own insights into classroom discussions.

What I’ve gained and what lies ahead

Now almost in my third year, I am just as passionate about the study as when I first started. The programme has helped me identify my own interests and strengths which I can start to build on for my future career.

The university’s network is vast. For example, many alumni now work in businesses that were originally connected to the school. This is one of Van Hall Larenstein’s great strengths: it creates real opportunities for students, no matter the sector they want to work in.

That’s also true for my upcoming internship. I’ll spend six months in South America, where I plan to work with an import or export company. Thanks to the university’s connections in countries like Colombia and Argentina, I’m able to take this next exciting step in my learning journey.

My advice to future students

If you have an interest in international trade, marketing, sales, plant science, farming, technology & innovation, finance or if you just enjoy contributing to sustainably grown produce, then this is the study for you!

This programme gives you the skills you need to operate in a cross-dimensional field of sectors, or maybe even start your own business. The university is distinctive for its international opportunities, its network, and the uniqueness of the study. There just aren’t many programmes out there that offer such a tailored and comprehensive course as this one.

Come be a part of the great atmosphere here at Van Hall Larenstein!