Life after VU Amsterdam: An alumnus perspective

Hello everyone! My name is Hidekazu Fukuda, and I am an alumnus of VU Amsterdam. I completed my Master’s in Business Administration, specialising in Management Consulting, and graduated in August 2023. In this blog, I would like to share what life has looked like for me after VU Amsterdam from relocation and job searching, to volunteering, working full-time and staying connected with the VU community.

Relocation from Uilenstede in Amstelveen to IJmuiden and job search

Ijmuiden

During my studies at VU Amsterdam, I lived in Uilenstede, Amstelveen for a year. After graduating, I needed to find a new place to live and ended up in IJmuiden, a small coastal city just above Haarlem. I found the apartment through housing platforms, such as Kamernet. Honestly, it was the only option available at the time. IJmuiden was completely new to me. I did not see many international people around, mostly locals, and the environment felt quite different from Amsterdam. I stayed there for 6 months.

Despite the distance, I often biked all the way to Amsterdam to meet friends, study at OBA Oosterdok - Public Library near Central Station, or just explore the city. It was a 1.5-hour ride one way, so 30 km each direction, 60 km round trip. I was nervous the first time but I was also on a tight budget, and biking was a good challenge. It became a memorable part of my routine, and I enjoyed the journey.

While living in IJmuiden, I was actively applying for full-time jobs in the Netherlands. I submitted many applications, attended several interviews, and did my best to stay hopeful. As a non-EU graduate, the visa sponsorship requirement made things more difficult, and the Dutch job market was very competitive. However, I did not give up. Every time I received feedback or faced rejection, I took it as a chance to improve my applications. Eventually, I received a job offer in Amsterdam, which was a big relief and a happy moment. I moved to Diemen shortly after to start my new chapter. 

Full-time work, volunteer activities and meetup events in Amsterdam

I began working for a Japanese communications company based in Amsterdam that specialises in translation services across European languages. I joined the account management team, where I managed translation projects for technical documents and worked closely with key clients across Western Europe. The role gave me the opportunity to travel for business within the Netherlands, Germany and France. It was exciting and a great way to apply what I had learned during my studies at VU Amsterdam.

Volunteer activity at Rembrandtpark

Outside of work, I stayed active in the community by volunteering once a month. I served as a project manager for a local volunteer organisation, helping coordinate events such as making pancakes for homeless individuals in social housing or cleaning up areas like Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark. I had the privilege of contributing to causes that brought people together and fostered a positive atmosphere. It gave me a sense of purpose and joy, and I was proud to be part of it.

Friends from a meetup event in Amsterdam

In addition to volunteering, I attended various meetup events around the city. I took part in language exchanges, Dutch and Spanish workshops, board game nights, karaoke and even the occasional night out at clubs. I committed to going a few times a week or month, depending on my schedule. The reason I started attending these events was that it became harder to meet up regularly with my VU friends as everyone began working and our schedules no longer aligned. At these meetups, I met people from all over the world; many of whom had just moved to the Netherlands for work and did not know anyone yet. Even though we came from different backgrounds, we shared the same goal: to make friends and build a life in Amsterdam. It was a great way to stay social and open-minded.

MSc in Business Administration: Management Consulting Mentor for students at VU Amsterdam

One of the most meaningful things I have undertaken since graduating was stepping into the role of a mentor for the same MSc Business Administration: Management Consulting program I once completed. It was a relatively new initiative, and I was enthusiastic about getting involved. Until now, in this role, I have assisted over 20 international students, helping them adjust to their studies, settle into campus life and make the most of available academic and cultural resources. I have shared customised insights on selecting courses, organising schedules and identifying helpful support systems. It was deeply satisfying to contribute to a programme that had shaped so much of my own journey. I valued the opportunity to meet diverse students, understand their aspirations, and shape my guidance to suit everyone. I imagine some of them might be inspired to guide new students in the future.

In summary, life after VU Amsterdam has been filled with personal growth, movement across cultures and amazing interactions. I have experienced life in new countries, built friendships with people from around the globe, taken part in purposeful activities and launched my career in the Netherlands. For anyone reading this blog, especially international students at any stage, I trust this gives a glimpse of what is possible after your time at VU Amsterdam. Stay curious, stay motivated and keep forging connections!

Thank you for reading!

Best,

Hidekazu