FAQ

Most undergraduate degree programs follow the traditional approach to education where progression is measured in the number of lectures delivered by a faculty member in a given period of time (teacher-focused). NSAC's International Business degree follows the principles of "competency-based education" where success is not measured in time, but in adoption of knowledge and skills by the student. Students will not spend the majority of their time sitting in a classroom taking notes; instead, formal lectures are given to students at irregular intervals based upon the needs of individual students to complete the tasks presented to them. These tasks represent the competencies or knowledge and skills required to be a successful professional working in the agri-food industry- students will be solving real problems encountered by real companies (student/workplace focused). Students must be able to learn independently and manage a self-directed learning plan; knowing when to solicit additional instruction from faculty members.

In Year 1 of the International Business degree students study at their home university (NSAC or CAH Dronten University of Applied Sciences); however, during this first year there will be on-going communication between the two groups of students as they cooperate on term projects. In order to firmly establish good working relationships, students will be brought together for a one week orientation in Iceland. Choosing Iceland, neither North America nor Europe, as the location for this initial meeting reinforces the international scope of NSAC's International Business program. Iceland's economy is driven by the agri-food industry; it is a nation of research and innovation with respect to the food industry. Students will explore the Icelandic food industry through a series of study tours and group assignments. In addition to field trips to various Icelandic businesses, students will participate in team building exercises, classroom lecturing, and of course a select number of Icelandic sight-seeing excursions.

The orientation study tour of Iceland takes place during the last full week of August.

Once enrolled in the International Business program, students will be partnered with a professional mentor. This professional mentor will be a faculty member with expertise in the specific area of study that is of interest to the individual student (i.e. marketing, consumer behaviour, entrepreneurship, etc.). The interaction and role of the mentor is driven by each student. The role of the professional mentor is to meet with their students on a regular basis to coach, advise, and encourage. Mentors will guide students to ensure they are matched with an appropriate employer in their two work terms.

International Business students are required to complete two three-month work terms. The first takes place after the students' second year of study and must be with an agri-food business, organization or government agency in Europe. The second work term follows the third academic year and must be with an agri-food business, organization or government agency in North America. A student's industry placement reflects a combination of her/his personality and skill set, the area of study she/he is interested in, and individual career goals. Professional mentors will play a major role in guiding students in making a choice. The logistics of the work terms will be handled by the universities' Program Coordinators.

NSAC's international business degree requires a minimum of one year of study in the Netherlands at NSAC's partner university, Dronten University of Applied Sciences. This mandatory international study takes place in Year 2 of this four year degree program.

Dronten University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1957. Today the university consists of 1500 students, 200 of which are international students from over 15 different countries. Dronten University of Applied Sciences specialize in undergraduate programs in applied agriculture, business, and related programs.
Check-out their website: cah.nl

The town of Dronten is home to 40,000 people. It is located in the centre of the Netherlands in the province of Flevoland and is bordered by four large lakes. The province of Flevoland was reclaimed from the sea in 1957; and as a result, Dronten is 5 metres below sea level. Dronten is approximately one hour North West by train from Amsterdam.

Canadian students pay NSAC tuition. This domestic tuition payment remains consistent whether they are studying in the Netherlands or at NSAC. International students enrolled at NSAC in the International Business program are required to pay the additional differential fee for international students.

The cost of living on campus at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands is comparable to the cost of living on campus at NSAC.

All students are subject to the additional expense of traveling back and forth from the Netherlands, including travel insurance in Year 2.

The exact cost of the one week orientation study tour of Iceland in Year 1 of the program changes slighty each year according to exchange rates and group discount adjustments.