Maria Lucia Bermudez

Maria Lucia adds value and makes a difference

Tilburg Trails 3 min. Lea Körber

Where are our international alumni now? Did they stay after graduation, did they return to their home country, or did they end up going elsewhere in the world? What did they get out of their studies? Is Tilburg University still on their minds? Where did the path from Tilburg University lead for alumna Maria Lucia Bermudez from Colombia?

Took home from Tilburg
In my backpack

Make peace with uncertainty while embracing what life brings you today
 

Where are you now?
Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Graduated in
October, 2012

Master of Communication and Information Sciences

When I think of Tilburg University...

“Tilburg University to me represents a beautiful time for personal and professional transformation within a new and exciting culture. Studying at Tilburg University was the perfect way to land in the Netherlands and to get fully immersed into local culture together with other internationals. Looking back, it was the best appetizer to explore the rest of the country, and develop my own business in the Netherlands. It was fantastic to see locals biking at -15 degrees and to make friends for life when I didn’t even have a clue of what my life in the Netherlands was going to be like after graduation. It was simply breathtaking to meet so many internationals willing to help each other, beyond any personal or professional challenges. As a non-EU citizen and entrepreneur I was literally lost in translation. I had no idea how to get my business started. It was quite challenging (and still is) to find your way as an international entrepreneur because on top of any regular business challenges you have to deal with immigration, cultural differences present in any negotiation process and identifying where you actually add value and make the difference. I thought about this from the moment I landed in the Netherlands, and since then I realized how powerful it is to build your local network and build an international community around common needs and interests.

Time for change in a cozy little town filled with amazing people!

My time at Tilburg University was quite fun and diverse. I met amazing people including teachers, classmates and other professionals who later on became great advisors moving forward with my career in the Netherlands. I also had the honor of working together with the  Alumni Office to develop the international alumni program. What started at Tilburg University became a national network that serves international students and professionals ready to take their next career steps in the Netherlands. I experienced directly what it takes to land and find your way in the Netherlands, so just by helping people like myself I discovered a new career path, which I am proud to still follow to this day.

Maria Lucia

It was simply breathtaking to meet so many Internationals willing to help each other, beyond any personal or professional challenges

What is your take-away message from Tilburg University?

"My time in Tilburg introduced me to new opportunities to grow at a personal and professional level. I had no idea that 11 years later I was still going to be in the Netherlands, doing something that suits me perfectly. I felt the need to help people like me to land in the Netherlands and feel at home, and that’s what I enjoy doing every single day. Locals taught me quite quickly that I need to ask for what I need and want in a direct way. Owning who you are with confidence is key. And always remember that locals are always ready to listen to you as long as you know your own value and what you can bring to the table."

"I brought a new concept of home with me. In Tilburg I found friends, clients, and connections who helped to understand a new way of understanding life, work and belonging to a culture so distant from yours but yet fascinating. My time in Tilburg was a time to explore what the Netherlands had to offer, and at the same time to discover what I could bring to the Dutch table. Tilburg was the place to discover how home can feel at all levels. Home can also be a cozy town filled with people coming from all places ready to move forward but at the same time uncertain about what the future holds. Making peace with uncertainty while embracing what life brings you is key. That’s why in the end I decided to book that flight one day."

I enjoyed developing my critical thinking skills and also realized (once again) the importance of thinking about social impact beyond the boundaries of the university. We study to help others, to make a difference by introducing new ways to connect to each other and live together. 

 

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Maria Lucia

What are you doing now?

"Now, I live and work in Amsterdam helping other internationals to develop their own businesses, apart from leading the NL alumni network in the Netherlands. Our community helps international students and professionals to take their next career steps in the Netherlands, either by landing in the Dutch labour market or by creating their own businesses. It is really exciting and gratifying to build our community. I am always amazed when meeting talented internationals full of passion and committed to build a life in the Netherlands. Now I am expecting my first baby so I am really curious about what this new chapter in my life will bring!"

"I got where I am by combining my passion to help others with consistency and closely observing opportunities within the Dutch culture. There’s so much potential here, especially when you see the Netherlands from an international perspective. Tilburg University was my first contact with Dutch society and internationals trying to build a life in the Netherlands. This experience inspired me to develop my business in a way that I could add value to the Dutch culture, and innovate by connecting the dots between local and international needs."

Maria Lucia's footprints at Tilburg University

"My classmates met me full of enthusiasm and perseverance. I think that looking back to my time in Tilburg University, many people were not familiar with Colombian culture. It was an honor to introduce them to our positive and cheerful way of seeing life and challenges. I always recommend internationals to go beyond their comfort zone. Exploring the different Dutch cities (those that you didn’t even know that existed) is the best choice for new students. You’ll definitely have the opportunity to live and work in the main cities, but why not treasure the fact of choosing Tilburg as your second home? I visit my friends in Brabant and go back to Tilburg to remember a great time, the first time when I felt at home in the Netherlands."

"All internationals are walking their own path and learning from their own journey, but deep down we all have something in common: we are not from the Netherlands, and we all want to feel at home. I am happy to share my own journey in the Netherlands, and other inspiring stories coming from hundreds of internationals in the Netherlands, with current students."

Date of publication: 25 November 2022