Resilience and Reinvention: How Bahareh Bolhassani Built a Global Career

19.01.2026

Wittenborg MBA Graduate Explores New Professional Paths in Europe

To grow professionally and explore new career paths, Bahareh Bolhassani faced challenges such as being apart from her family in Iran and adapting to online classes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, as a Demand and Supply Professional at Canon EMEA, she looks back on her journey as one defined by resilience, adaptability and motivation.

Before joining Wittenborg, Bahareh had already built a strong foundation in engineering and management. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, she worked in diverse roles such as project manager, industrial engineer, data analyst and supply chain administrator. But she sought to expand her international experience and business knowledge.

“My intention was to study in the Netherlands, preferably Amsterdam, as it is a European country not too far from my home and I could manage with the English language,” she explained. “I found Wittenborg online while searching for institutions that offer MBAs. It seemed a fast-growing and multinational school with a range of specialisations. I even connected with an Iranian student who highly recommended it, so I chose Wittenborg.”

That decision, however, came with challenges. Bahareh began her studies at the very onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns reshaped academic life. “One of the biggest challenges I faced was being separated from my family. My husband and five-year-old son stayed in Iran while I relocated to the Netherlands. Thanks to Wittenborg’s quick shift to online learning, I was able to return home and continue my studies remotely. Balancing family life and academics during such an uncertain time was both difficult and rewarding, and I’m grateful for the school’s flexibility in that regard,” she said.

Throughout her MBA in International Management, Bahareh honed key professional skills, particularly in cross-cultural communication, stakeholder engagement and business alignment across departments. She also found mentorship that would open new doors. “I was actively looking for internship opportunities, but I didn’t know much about job searching in the Netherlands. Dr Arie Barendregt, my marketing tutor, suggested improving my CV and shared it within his network. His support helped me connect with professionals and find my path.”

That path led to an internship at Brooks Sports B.V., where she worked as a demand planner. “It was a great opportunity to work with different countries and understand their market behaviour,” she said. Bahareh later secured a permanent position at Brooks, where she worked for two years before moving to Canon.

At Canon, Bahareh’s responsibilities include forecasting, purchasing and managing stock across EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) warehouses. She discovered the position on LinkedIn, applied and was quickly hired.

Looking ahead, Bahareh is preparing for leadership roles within her company. “I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in leadership training programmes addressing different fields of knowledge,” she said. “Additionally, through Wittenborg’s courses in international management and human resources, I learned how to collaborate effectively within diverse teams and appreciate cultural diversity and different business models.”

To current students, she highlights the benefits of internships: “It’s the best way to get familiar with the business environment in the Netherlands or Europe. Also, make the most of Wittenborg’s multinational community to expand your network.”

Bahareh remains deeply grateful for the support she received during her studies. “The staff at Wittenborg, especially in Amsterdam, were incredibly flexible and proactive during the pandemic. Their responsiveness and willingness to adapt enabled us to successfully continue and complete our studies despite the difficult circumstances. I truly appreciated how seriously they considered student feedback when making key decisions.”