Never a dull moment
RSM is a diverse community. Your class is 99 percent international and your classmates can lend their perspectives from a range of professional backgrounds. Because our programme is set in one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in the world, there will never be a dull moment.
Access the energetic, enriching life beyond the classroom. Choose from a myriad of activities, events, clubs, and networking opportunities hosted by the Student Association and others.
Co-presidents:
- Seraphine Nathani, Indonesia
- Beatriz Valenzuela, Mexico
Club goal:
- To inform and increase awareness, help members adopt new sustainable habits & identify job opportunities across the sustainability field
Events & Initiatives:
- Expand recycling opportunities at RSM, Reusable coffee mugs, Port of Rotterdam Tour, Sustainable Brewery Tour, Beach Cleanup, Vegan Cooking Workshops, Coffee Chat with Sustainable Business Professionals
Co-presidents:
- Yukuo Tang (Aldrick), China
- Purushottam Kumar (Puru), India
Club goal:
- To build a strong community with a shared passion for supply chain that fosters industry connections, that understands and ideates real world problems, and supports professional development through the acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge
Events:
- Port of Rotterdam Tour, Guest Speakers from Supply Chain professionals, Workshops focusing on Logistics, Procurement, & Sustainability in SCM
Co-presidents:
- Jonathan Maraka, Uganda
- Soham Banerjee, India
Club goal:
- To help educate, generate interest in, and prepare students for the consulting profession, exploring all disciplines and necessary best practices
Events:
- Case Cracking Tips & Interview Practice, Industry Expert Speakers, Networking sessions
Co-presidents:
- Simon Valderrama Munoz, Colombia
- Pranjal Saiwal, India
Club goal:
- To connect students with global industry contacts across multiple energy sectors, serving to provide a space for information-sharing, company info, networking, and collaboration
Events:
- Renewable Energy Panel, Energy Transition Discussion, Q&A with Industry Leader in Solar
Co-presidents:
- Deeksha Goyal, India
- Luiza Bulhoes, Brazil
Club goal:
- To nurture and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators, facilitate opportunities to build connections, develop necessary skills, and empower their vision.
Events:
- Collaborative Events with Start-up Hubs, panel discussions
Co-presidents:
- Phalgun Parvathaneni, India
- Anik, India
Club goal:
- To provide students with a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing from leading technology companies and industry experts
Events:
- Project Manager Workshop, Site Visit to leader in Semi-Conductor industry, CV Tailoring and Interview Prep
Co-presidents:
- Suanne Whittaker, South Africa
- Roberto Paniagua, Peru
Club goal:
- To provide access to all things sports and fitness, creating an energetic and supportive community full of camaraderie.
Events:
- MBAT, Summer Olympics, Major Events Watch Parties (i.e., Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions League), Paintball
Co-presidents:
- Hsien Jun Kou, Taiwan
- Vineetha Rebecca Jacob, India
Club goal:
- To host events that facilitate cross-cultural integration across our diverse cohort of 31+ nationalities and help people maintain a study-life balance with fun, social activities all around the city of Rotterdam!
Events:
- King’s Day Celebration, International Potluck, Cultural Workplace Q&As, Pride Week, Karaoke Nights
Co-presidents:
- Cristina Gavidia, Peru
- Ferid Gunay, Turkiye
Club goal:
- Our aim is to connect seasoned marketers and eager beginners, creating a supportive community where they can network with industry expert, encourage the sharing of fresh ideas, concepts, and best practices, and providing valuable knowledge to excel in diverse marketing roles.
Events:
- Top 5 Marketing Skills Workshop, CV Workshop & Speed Interviews, Expert’s Lectures
Co-presidents:
- Kittithach Tangarunsanti (Mek), Thailand
- Ambuj Tripathi, India
Club goal:
- To organize events that help students advance their understanding of finance, explore jobs in the industry, and network with local professionals.
Events:
- Monthly ‘RSM Financial Times’ Newsletter, Sustainable Finance & Venture Capital Panel Discussion
President:
- Alejandra Quiroz, Peru
- Elem Yamunaqué, Peru
Club goal:
- To empower individuals in our cohort and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of life; educating and creating a safe space within the cohort thereby building our community
Events:
- Excelsior Football Club Connect (additionally facilitated a connect between the club and Erasmus ECWO), Pride Week Celebration, Interview prep sessions
Dutch-style
There is so much more to business school than courses, case studies and exams. At RSM we believe that quality of life is just as important to your personal growth and professional development as your formal education.
With a diverse campus community, you will have access to an energetic, enriching life beyond the classroom. Capitalise on activities and networking opportunities hosted by the Student Association and student clubs.
When you are not studying, enjoy exploring your new environment. From restaurants and museums to music and nightlife, there is always something to do and see in Rotterdam and the Netherlands. Cultural liberalism, tolerance and a curiosity about the world: in the Netherlands, these qualities are rooted in our history, our culture and our societal DNA.
Best of all, the Netherlands is often ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. You can find out why when you’re here.
On campus activities
There’s a lot to do on campus. Grab a coffee at the Erasmus Food Plaza, or attend an event at the theatre or Café In de Smitse. The on-campus sports centre offers fitness, dance, spinning, squash, and tennis among many other classes. And you can attend scientific, social and cultural programmes offered on campus by Studium Generale.
What is your ‘I WILL’?
RSM’s I WILL movement allows you to define your goals, your ambition, your drive. It’s our forward-thinking community that asks you to say something about your future. Your I WILL statement becomes part of the spirit of RSM’s diverse community of students, researchers, staff, professors, alumni and others related to the school. Making a public commitment to your goal will allow you to achieve it faster and better. What is your goal?
Your gateway to Europe and the world
Explorative, diverse, mercantile, outward-looking. The Netherlands and Rotterdam offer you a cultural context to pursue your MBA unlike any other.
By living and studying in the Netherlands, you are immersed in a tradition of cultural freedom in a country where more than 90 percent of the population can speak to you in English.
In the Netherlands, we value talent. We value diversity. We value innovation. This is why the Dutch government aims to attract knowledge and retain talent. Graduating from our MBA programme, you will be entitled to apply for an orientation year. This is a residence permit of one year which allows you to find a job, or start a business within three years of graduation.
The Netherlands
This is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the 2023 Global Peace index and belongs to the top 10 happiest countries in the world: the Dutch are known to value their work-life balance and have access to high-quality healthcare and schools. The country has a rich history with beautiful historic cities and the highest museum density in the world. Also, the Netherlands is the 18th largest economy in the world. Some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever, are Dutch. And we are a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art and design, logistics and sustainable energy.
Rotterdam
Europe’s biggest port has always welcomed trade and traders from all around the globe. A rich, entrepreneurial culture that drives innovation and interchange, and embraces diversity. Modern Rotterdam is a young, vibrant, international city; home to more than 170 different nationalities. The city is affordable, friendly, fun and infused with Dutch openness and a warmth of spirit. Rotterdam is the 2nd most sustainable city in the world. It is the world’s only city with an official ’Cool District’ and it’s Europe’s new capital of cool according to CNN.
In just three hours you can be in Paris. London and Berlin are just a five or six hour train ride away. So in this culturally rich environment, Rotterdam is not just a gateway to Europe, it is your gateway to the world.
A home away from home
Rotterdam stands among the great global cities of Europe, and 97 per cent of our International Full-time MBA students come from outside of the Netherlands. So you will be in good company. We aim to ease your transition from working life to business school in the Netherlands by offering as much help as we can including arranging visas and residency. We provide all kinds of services for new students, from arranging visas to finding accommodation.
Find a place to live
Whilst you need to find your own accommodation in the Netherlands, once admitted to the MBA programme, our Housing Support Office will provide you with access to accommodation providers that will assist you in your personal accommodation needs. There are housing options for couples, small families, single tenants, and cost-conscious students who don't mind sharing common areas. We highly recommend you start your housing search as soon as you decide to join our International Full-time MBA programme as the student housing market in Rotterdam is very competitive. We do have an agreement with a housing supplier for a limited number of reserved ground floor studio lofts and one family apartment especially reserved for RSM MBA students and these are offered on first-come-first-serve basis.
Make yourself at home
With friendly people, a lively culture, and diverse communities all around, Rotterdam is a great location for families of all sizes. The city has a number of high-quality international schools for children and there are various types of childcare facilities available. Rotterdam has a vibrant international social scene for spouses or partners. We also offer help and support here.
Read more about Rotterdam
It was a pleasant surprise when I realised that RSM has actually reserved housing for students and they helped me with finding accommodation.
Sanjay Venkatesan MBA class of 2020
If you are moving here for your MBA and you are bringing your family, we are able to assist you and your family in applying for your visas, when needed. Whilst you will need to find your own family accommodation in the Netherlands, RSM has one reserved family apartment, subject to availability. Once admitted to the programme, the Housing Support Office will provide you with access to accommodation providers that will assist you in searching for your family apartment. Permission to live and study here in the Netherlands may vary depending on which country you come from, but you can find helpful information on the Expatica website.
If you are considering to do a Full-time MBA, you can have your family join you here. RSM can assist in finding the right accommodation for you and your family.
Sanjay Venkatesan, MBA Class of 2020