When Rachael decided she wanted to launch her own fashion business, she knew she had to invest in herself first. “I wanted international experience and to really learn how to build a business,” she says. That ambition took her from Nigeria to the Netherlands, where she’s now pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Tio Business School.
Why the Netherlands – and why Tio?
Choosing the Netherlands was a well-considered decision. “I heard it was safe, and that many people speak English,” Rachael explains. She was looking for a business programme that was hands-on and could be completed in just one year. “When I found Tio, I knew it was the right fit. The MBA aligns perfectly with my plans to become an entrepreneur.”
From culture shock to feeling at home
Her first weeks in the Netherlands were a big adjustment. “It was pretty surprising, a culture shock in many ways. Everything was new – the public transportation, the language, the way people communicate. And finding a place to live wasn’t easy either,” she laughs. Fortunately, Tio offered support. “They arranged housing for me, which I am so grateful for. And in my first week, they took us on a tour around Amsterdam. It was beautiful and made me feel like this was just the experience I needed.”
Learning in a small, personal setting
What stands out most from the programme? “Our classes are very small, which I appreciate a lot. It made me understand that learning environments should remain small: the impact is much deeper and more valuable, and you get to know the lecturers. Every Tio lecturer has industry experience, which is beautiful because they don’t just talk from the book, they talk based on their experiences.”
One course stood out: “Mergers and Acquisitions was my favourite. I got to see the reality of acquisitions. It was very interesting because I knew many of these companies, but I never knew how they joined together in the past.”
Growth, self-awareness, and ambition
During the MBA, Rachael discovered more about her strengths, and her limits. “As an entrepreneur, you can’t do everything yourself. I’ve learnt to recognise what I’m good at and my weaknesses as well. Alongside gaining knowledge, she’s also developed practical skills. “I came from a creative background, but now I understand strategy and financial analysis as well.”
“I met a lot of international students and got to know people of different cultures, even the Dutch culture, which I'm beginning to understand much better and integrate into! An international environment is just very beautiful for anyone who wants to run a business or work internationally. It’s great for your platform to have cultural intelligence.”
Looking ahead: a future in fashion
Rachael’s dream remains unchanged: to run her own fashion business. But first, she wants to gain experience in the field. “I want to build industry experience first: to understand what it means to work in fashion, to make connections and really get to know the system. I want to use my new strategic thinking and financial skills to make sure my business model is sustainable.”
The Netherlands feels like a good place to start building her career. “Many companies have their headquarters here. The country is peaceful and safe. I didn’t like the Dutch culture at first, but I’m getting used to it — I even started learning the language. So yes, I want to stay in the Netherlands.”
Dutch culture
Many people have heard that the Dutch are direct, but experiencing Dutch directness for the first time can be surprising. “Before I came here, I used to think like I was the one that was direct. But when I came here it was different: people were straightforward, and it doesn't matter who you’re talking to. But I understood that that's the best way to communicate things, and make sure that you don't leave things that are supposed to be done undone. In my country, people’s position or age are very important, but here it is much more like an open door environment. And most people are on a first-name basis right away. I’m getting a little more used to it now!”
The work-life-balance is very different from Nigeria, she explains. “People go on a lot of holidays, which is very different from my country. There, it’s more work, work, work the whole year around. I thought it was the normal way of life, but seeing the difference here made me think, ‘that’s interesting’. There is a balance, and I think it is necessary because you have to refresh so you can become even better in what you do.
Her advice to other students
For anyone thinking about studying abroad, Rachael has one clear piece of advice: “Know what you want and prepare well. Don’t assume everything will fall into place – but if you stay focused and open-minded, it’s absolutely worth it. Keep pushing towards what you want. Be very ambitious, but be very optimistic as well. The opportunities are there: you just have to seize them!”