Early last month representatives from Nyenrode Business Universiteit presented two Lundquist College students with scholarships to its master of science in management program in the Netherlands. The scholarships were awarded based on the results of a business case competition, which was open to seniors and recent graduates of the University of Oregon who are interested in continuing their studies and earning an advanced degree in management at Nyenrode.
The winning team was Robert Bird, Dakota Brazil-Arrington, and Xiyu “Katrina" Zhang. Bird won a full tuition scholarship to be used toward a master of science in management at Nyenrode. A half-tuition scholarship went to Brazil-Arrington. Robert and Dakota will also both receive a $5,000 award from the college's Rasmussen Fund for Global Initiatives for living expenses.
Greg Rasmussen "67, who participated in an exchange program between the college and Nyenrode in 1965, created the fund in 2014 to help eliminate obstacles for students to study abroad, including incidental costs beyond tuition.
Bird said he took part in an exchange program to France when he was just 11 years old and has long desired to travel back to Europe.
“I was elated when I was announced as the winner," he said. “I felt like what I could only describe as ‘I'm going to the Super Bowl (of education)!""
Bird said he participated in Startup Weekend, as well as case studies, but never took on a challenge with this big of a prize.
“Being a nontraditional student—married, in my 30s, and a transfer student—I consider this to be my only chance of studying abroad," he added. “This is by far the biggest opportunity I have been offered in my life. I cannot wait to get started!"
The intensive, 12-month Nyenrode master of science program focuses on personal leadership development and includes three tracks: international management, marketing management, and financial management. Like the Lundquist College, Nyenrode Business Universiteit believes in an immersive, experiential learning environment with students working on real-life business projects while earning their advanced degree.
The yearly competition celebrates and strengthens an historic and ongoing partnership between the Lundquist College of Business and Nyenrode Business Universiteit.