Study Story: Tim van Lieshout

One of the youngest students at the university

It quickly becomes clear that the story of 18-year-old Tim van Lieshout is an unusual one. Originally from Koudekerke, a small village in the Dutch province of Zeeland, Tim began studying International Business at Maastricht University at the age of sixteen. The reason he started university at such a young age dates back to primary school: Tim skipped two grades and consequently moved on to secondary school when he was just ten years old.

Although Maastricht has now become his university city, Zeeland remains unmistakably home to Tim. At weekends, he enjoys travelling back to see friends and play football. He also works at a beach pavilion, both behind the bar and in the kitchen – activities that provide him with a great deal of motivation alongside his studies.

Focus on professional development

When Tim enrolled in the International Business bachelor’s programme, he was informed that he was eligible for the Candriam Scholarship. “At first, I thought: what are the chances of being selected? But then I thought: if you don’t apply, you’ll never know. I’m so glad I decided to submit an application after all,” he says with a smile.

The scholarship means a great deal to Tim. “Thanks to this support, I can fully focus on my studies and my professional development. It gives me a sense of pride, but also gratitude, especially because I am the first person in my family to attend higher education.” The financial security provided by the scholarship also leaves room for relaxation and social activities. “Twice a week, I cook dinner with friends. It has become a tradition. And I still have time to play football.”

Marketing Management

When asked what he finds most engaging about his studies, Tim does not hesitate for a moment. “The Marketing Management course really stood out to me. For one project, we had to set up a fictional company. There is so much involved from different perspectives, and that is exactly what I found so interesting,” Tim explains.

Many other courses also make extensive use of real-world examples. “My father runs a hospitality business, so I find it fascinating to apply insights from my courses to his company. I learn a tremendous amount from these kinds of case studies. Friends of mine tell me they mainly attend large lectures. That teaching format is not for me. I prefer putting the theory into practice straight away.”

He also appreciates the international character of both the programme and the university. “I am often one of the few Dutch students in my tutorial groups. That allows you to learn even more, because everyone brings their own background and culture to the discussion and shares a unique perspective on the course material,” says Tim.

An adventure in Singapore

Tim is currently completing the second year of his bachelor’s degree. His third year will be centred around an exchange programme in Singapore – a dream come true. “Singapore is an extremely popular exchange destination, which makes it difficult to be selected. I am very aware of how fortunate I am to have been given this opportunity.” Nineteen other students from Maastricht University will be joining Tim in Singapore. “We recently met up in town for a drink. It was great to get to know each other before the adventure begins in August. It also gave me the chance to meet even more new people.”

As for what the future holds after Singapore, Tim is keeping an open mind. “I may want to explore AI and how it can be applied even more effectively within businesses. But to be honest, I do not know exactly what I want to do yet. For now, I am mainly looking forward to enjoying the summer and making the most of my time in Singapore!”