Hotel Management School Leeuwarden at NHL Stenden

Say hello to Maggie Dundas. 👋

Originally from Northern Ireland, Maggie knew from a young age that she wanted to live and work abroad. Her curiosity about languages and cultures led her to study German Language, Literature, History and Culture at the University of Liverpool. After graduating, she moved to Germany, where she worked in hospitality and taught English.

More than 25 years ago, she made the move to the Netherlands and continued her career in education. After working in vocational education (MBO), she joined NHL Stenden in 2013, first at the Language Centre and later at PABO (Primary Education). In February 2021, she became part of the Hotel Management School Leeuwarden team.

At HMSL, Maggie wears many hats. Alongside teaching Business English and Intercultural Management, she works as Educational Coordinator for Year 1, supports students as an Atelier Facilitator and Coach, and is involved in curriculum development. She says the variety is one of the things she enjoys most about her role. 📚

What she loves most about working with students is seeing them grow in confidence throughout their studies. From sometimes uncertain first-year students to confident young professionals ready to take on the world, witnessing that transformation is what makes her work so rewarding. Knowing she may have contributed to that journey, even in a small way, makes her proud. ✨

Outside of work, Maggie enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, eating out, gardening, and taking on DIY and woodworking projects. She is also a strong supporter of local hospitality businesses and enjoys discovering new places together with friends. 🌱🛠️

Her advice to students: stay curious, take ownership of your learning, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the most valuable lessons come from moments when things don't go exactly as planned. And above all, make the most of the opportunities that come you

🍍Introducing HMSL🍍

✨ Meet Roos Bork!

A third-year Hospitality Management student! Roos is passionate about travelling, learning through experience, and embracing new adventures. With her positive energy and international mindset, she hopes to build a future in management or entrepreneurship within the hospitality industry.
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What does it take to become a future hospitality leader? 🏨

From guest experience and service excellence to teamwork and leadership, HMSL helps students develop the skills needed for a successful career in hospitality.

Swipe to learn more. ➡️
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Do you have any question before enrolling? Drop your question in a comment or DM us✨

caption: Some friendships start in class, others over coffee or group projects. 💙

Today, we’re celebrating the friends who make university life a little easier, a lot more fun and unforgettable along the way.

Tag your HMSL best friend below and let them know how much they mean to you. 👯

Your minor can take you anywhere 🌍✨

From Bali and South Africa to Thailand, Italy or Leeuwarden, every destination offers a completely different experience.

Discover new experiences while combining travel, creativity and hands-on learning. 📚✈️

Which destination would you choose? 👀
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🍍 Introducing HMSL 🍍

Meet Yara Smits, a 3rd-year Hospitality student at NHL Stenden. 🇳🇱

Get to know more about how she decided to study hospitality, what drives her during her studies, and how she spends her free time. ✨

🎓Lecturer Spotlight: Brenda de Zwaan🎓
Meet Brenda de Zwaan, our senior lecturer in Hospitality management and Hostmanship originally from Delft in the Netherlands. 🇳🇱Brenda studied at the Academy for Expression and Communication for one year. Then she continued with a work and study education in hospitality where she worked in luxury and Michelin restaurants. Later on, she did her bachelor’s in Hospitality Management and she pursued her master’s in Service Management. She is part of the HMSL since 1991. Firstly, her role was a practical facilitator for 9 years, later on she was focused on wine teaching for 22 years.
Brenda loves working in her garden and exploring new F&B venues. One of her best experiences in a restaurant happened just recently in Nieuwe Winkel in Nijmegen. “The hosts were very genuine and themselves during their shift. You see that they love their job!” she says. Besides that, she wrote a children’s book about Hostmanship called “The Welcoming World of Sam”.
One of her role models was her father. He was a maitre in luxurious restaurants and a master in humanity. “He was able to read people and really see people and to welcome the queen but also a homeless person.” Furthermore, her employer, Fons van Groeningen, owner of Kaatje bij de Sluis in Blokzijl (2 Michelin stars), was also someone she learned a lot from. She says: “He was a visionair of the hospitality industry in Holland. He taught me that the guests really feel if you are sincere and truly welcoming them. If you play a role, or pretend, they do not believe your hospitable behaviour.” Both of her “ fathers” died in 2020.
Lastly, Brenda has a piece of advice for her students: “For one student: more relaxation is good. For another: get your s**t together and focus more on what really matters and ignore the distractions. In general, follow your heart and trust your gut feeling, when it comes to making your own choices. When it comes to study, deep dive into the topic more and find more reliable sources to get you inspired and to find the reason for getting out of bed - find your Ikigai!”
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Are you hesitating where to start after your bachelor’s degree? 🤯

We have a solution for you! ✨ Prolong your student life while focusing on strenghtening your network, and growing as a future professional in hospitality industry. From real hospitality challenges to international electives.

Who said that studying can’t be exciting? 🤩