StartUpStudent

The challenge

There are a couple of issues when it comes to foreign students in cities like Venlo or Maastricht. First of all these students don't really know where to go, meet and network with people when it comes to anything outside of the education locations. Especially in small to mid-size cities like Venlo or Maastricht, where there are not as many activities compared to Utrecht, Rotterdam or Amsterdam. On the other hand, students struggle with finding a suitable internship positions related to their studies and further experience in order to develop and establish themselves professionally. This causes students to become more lonely and bored, which is not beneficial for their study. But it also results in another problem these cities have; students not likely willing to stay, work and live in it.

The solution

My idea started off as an application where I would show and blog about activities and locations I visited and even options where it was possible to visit with a student discount. Moreover, help students find a suitable internship position and eventually a permanent job in the region. When getting contacted by the Library of Venlo to do a partnership, I pivoted this more towards the city of Venlo and built a platform to help Venlo become the 'Student city of the Netherlands'. At this moment I have a complete Business Model Canvas and putting in the last details to complete the prototype. Which could also work for any other small to mid-size city like Maastricht. Helping not only those cities, but the region as well.

To create a student community where students feel welcomed and enjoy their country of stay