Emir from Türkiye shares his experience of pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Tio, combining intensive studies with hands-on internships at global companies like Heineken and Danone. His journey offers a grounded look at what it takes to adapt, grow, and build a career in an international environment. A real perspective on how theory, practice, and opportunity come together in Amsterdam.
Studying abroad
You think you know what studying abroad will feel like. You check the rankings, look at a few websites, watch a couple of YouTube videos, and you assume you’ve got the full picture. Then you land in Amsterdam, start your MBA, walk into Heineken’s global office for your first internship meeting… and suddenly you realise none of this is what you imagined, in the best way possible.
Hi, I am Emir - an MBA student at Tio, a former procurement intern at Heineken and currently doing my internship at Danone. And a Turkish student navigating life, studies, and work in the Netherlands. I want to give you an honest, simple breakdown of what the MBA at Tio is like, how I ended up at Heineken, and what it means to study here as a Turkish student. Let’s start with a bit of context.
Why Tio Business School? And why an MBA?
Tio is different from traditional universities in the Netherlands. It’s fast-paced, small-scale, and hands-on. Coming from an engineering background and having worked in supply chain at P&G Türkiye, I wanted a programme where I could build business skills quickly and apply them immediately in real-life settings. The MBA structure is highly practical: every project feels like something you would genuinely do in a company. Classes are interactive, and because of the small size, you form relationships with lecturers, which honestly makes a huge difference when you’re in an international programme.
So… how did Heineken happen?
One thing I didn’t know before starting: Amsterdam is full of global companies, and a lot of them are genuinely open to hiring international students. With the support of my study coach, some persistence, and my background in procurement at P&G, I ended up landing an internship at Heineken Global Procurement. My role was hands-on: Supporting purchasing decisions, cost models, supplier coordination, sustainability documentation; everything.
You’re not treated like “just an intern”, you’re part of the team from day one. And yes, you quickly learn how international the Dutch work environment truly is: Meetings with colleagues from Mexico, Vietnam, the DRC, Slovakia, you name it.
Being a Turkish student at Tio and in Amsterdam
This is a whole experience on its own. You get used to biking in the rain, switching between Dutch and English in the same sentence, and explaining to your classmates that rakı is not “just a drink.” At Tio, being Turkish became a strength, people are curious about your culture, your background, and your perspective.
The biggest difference from studying in Türkiye?
Here, you are encouraged to ask questions, challenge ideas, and think independently. It’s not about memorising; It’s about forming an opinion. That shift alone changes everything.
Where can this degree take you?
Because the MBA is applied, you build a portfolio of real projects, not just theoretical assignments. Combined with an internship, you graduate with experience that makes sense to employers.
Many students go into:
- Procurement & supply chain
- Marketing or brand management
- Consulting
- Hospitality & tourism innovation
- Entrepreneurship (very common at Tio)
In my case, the MBA + Heineken internship is helping me prepare for a long-term career in international procurement.
Final thoughts for future students
Don’t rely on assumptions or rankings alone, they never tell you the whole story. Talk to students, ask questions, and dive into what the daily reality of the programme is. If you’re considering an MBA at Tio or moving to the Netherlands as a Turkish student, I’m happy to chat more on Unibuddy.