Professor Enno Masurel, reflecting on the journey of 10 years teaching the summer course, says, "Teaching entrepreneurship to a very international audience really attracted me. Plus, the support organization by VU Amsterdam Summer School sounded very good. Both worked out better than imagined. The main difference with regular education is the very international audience and the typical summer atmosphere."
Over the course of a decade, the program has not only attracted a global audience but has also adapted to meet the changing needs of aspiring entrepreneurs. "Yes, nowadays we emphasise more on sustainable entrepreneurship, and the program has become more to the point."
Thinking about highlights from 10 years of organising a course in VU Amsterdam Summer School, Prof Masurel says, "So many… One sort of memorable moment is to meet students from countries I normally have no or hardly any students from. Further, the formation of the assignment groups. I love to see how groups of very diverse people become close."
Workshop from Stefanie Behrendt, WeGoZero
On Monday 17 July, Stefanie Behrendt from WeGoZero kicked off the first day with an inspiring workshop. Sharing her personal journey, Stephanie emphasized the importance of self-belief and perseverance. She mastered website building and SEO to gain visibility and secure her first clients as a waste reduction consultancy.
Top sellers from her thriving business is built are: Zero Waste Audits, Zero Waste Workshops, and Employee Activities, all aimed at encouraging a zero waste business and lifestyle. Stefanie's entrepreneurial journey took a pivotal turn when she joined forces with the Go Zero Waste app, forming a powerful partnership and a successful joint venture. During the workshop, participants learned essential entrepreneurial lessons: make it measurable with data audits, manage strategy with management involvement, and involve everyone for maximum engagement.
During the summer course, participants will need to think of their own business ideas, and Prof. Masurel encourages them to consider a partnership with Stephanie. With another triumphant 10th edition of the summer course in the books, the stage is now set for a new decade of empowering aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.
