Making Summer Count: Wittenborg Students and Staff Share Plans

16.07.2025

From Internships to Outdoor Adventures — Wittenborg’s Summer Stories

As the summer season is in full swing across Europe, students and staff at Wittenborg are making the most of the warmer months. From internships and academic goals to travel, outdoor activities and personal development, members of the Wittenborg community are embracing the summer as a time for both productivity and renewal.

Somayeh Rahmani, a master’s student in Data Analytics from Iran, is learning Dutch while completing an internship. Alongside this, she enjoys meditation, sightseeing and attending concerts. “I want to make a good plan for using this summer beneficially in terms of educational skills and recreation time,” she shared.

MBA (Master of Business Administration) student Bentolhoda Omidmoazzam, also from Iran, is splitting her time between visiting her home country and working on her thesis. She values setting practical goals, staying active and enjoying time with friends. “Having fun helps me stay motivated,” she said.

Pre-master’s student Pegah Pabakhsh is taking a holistic approach to summer by focusing on both physical and mental well-being. She is practising meditation, pilates and yoga, and has found joy in cooking. “I don’t have any big trips planned, but I’ve been exploring new recipes and enjoying the process of creating something with my own hands,” she said. “It’s been a great way to slow down, recharge and invest in myself.”

Recent graduate Negar Ashnaee is using the summer to prepare for her career and invest in personal development. “I want to improve my physical and mental well-being, gain career-related experience and learn new skills,” she said. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, meditating in the sun and relaxing with friends and family.

Wittenborg staff members are also embracing the season in ways that reflect their personal passions and interests.

HR Administrator, Anastasija Marusova, from Latvia, is embracing the outdoors and staying active. “I want to enjoy the weather outside, meet up with friends and have some fun activities like sports and music,” she shared. This summer, she travelled back to Latvia for her brother’s wedding and has been attending several major festivals and concerts in the Netherlands, including Linkin Park and Pinkpop in June, and Legends of Rock in July. “Since everyone is very busy in the summer, I try to plan things in advance. I create an agenda to plan meetings or outings depending on the weather, and finally do something I’ve postponed for a long time.”

When it comes to relaxing, Anastasija enjoys quiet moments as well. “I like to read a book, sit outside on the balcony or watch movies,” she said. Looking ahead, she noted, “Being more outdoors is my main goal. The weather can be very nice, and I want to make the most of it.”

Associate Professor of Applied Sciences, Vanessa de Oliveira Menezes, originally from Brazil, is taking advantage of the long summer days to travel and unwind. “I am always excited about the summer,” she said. “People are more social and the long days help a lot.” This year, she is visiting France, with plans to explore Toulouse, Carcassonne and Bordeaux. “Travelling is my biggest passion,” she added, noting how the sunny weather helps boost her motivation and productivity.

Ulisses Sawczuk, Journalist & Copywriter at Wittenborg (who also hails from Brazil), is spending his summer escaping the colder winter back home. “It can actually get a bit chilly in Londrina, where I live,” he said. In August, he plans to travel to Comox, a small town in British Columbia, Canada. There, he will meet friends, enjoy nature, go hiking and possibly even go camping.

“I’m planning to do some writing in my free time. Being able to relax helps inspire me,” he shared. For Ulisses, travelling is not only about adventure but also about stepping back and recharging creatively. “Seize the chance to do the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t because you were too busy,” he advised. One of the things he is most looking forward to? “Sleeping eight hours a night — without setting an alarm — having fun, enjoying the warm weather and relaxing,” he said. “No matter where you are, it’s always possible to do something different and have fun. You just have to be creative.”