_{All roads lead to Rome, but which path led Hannah to Campus Fryslân? What did she discover along the way, what lessons did she learn? Hannah’s journey is a true testament to the transformative power of education. After years working as a flight attendant for Lufthansa, she felt a pull towards something more fulfilling. Taking a leap of faith, Hannah enrolled in the BSc Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL) programme. In this interview, she shares how the programme challenged her values, broadened her perspectives, and ultimately led her to a new career in HR, focusing on leadership and diversity. Whether you're contemplating a career change or simply seeking a fresh perspective, Hannah's story will inspire you to follow your instincts and embrace the journey of reinvention!}

Hi Hannah! Can you briefly introduce yourself?

I’m Hannah, originally from Munich. When I was 15, I moved to the UK to attend boarding school, where I completed the International Baccalaureate. By the time I graduated, I was only 17 and had no idea what to do, so I spent 1.5 years waitressing. After that, I found myself working for Lufthansa as a flight attendant, all thanks to a friend who is a pilot. He suggested it as the perfect job for someone young!

During that time, I fell in love with the job, which involved lots of travel, learning, and personal growth. It was an amazing environment for self-development. Part of my role included working in the PR team, attending conventions, and interacting with famous people. In my final year, I was promoted to an instructor position for safety and emergency procedures, delivering training and introductory courses. I did that for a whole year. Afterward, I realized I wanted to do something different. It wasn’t a well-thought-out decision; I actually took it quite blindly. I was simply looking for a change, and that’s when I discovered the Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL) programme. I think I applied just a day before the deadline; it was really a matter of instinct.

What made you choose GRL from a place where you had a job and career prospects?  

When I finished high school, I never thought I would actually study at university, which is funny because once I started, I became totally nerdy. My values had changed over time, and certain topics became very important to me. Based on my research, GRL was the only programme offering a combination of the topics I was interested in. It felt both broad and specific at the same time.

For example, feminism became a key issue for me, which then connected to human rights and migration. Overall, I was drawn to the humanitarian angle, but there were other aspects that interested me as well. Nine years ago, I decided to switch to veganism. That was the moment when I realized the urgency of climate change, the planetary crisis, and the environmental impact of constant travel. I knew things had to be done differently, and I had to make changes. I am no longer vegan, but this illustrates the kind of topics that have stuck with me and that I wanted to address.

What did you think about moving to Leeuwarden? 

The fact that it was in Leeuwarden was fine with me; I thought, "Let’s just try it!" I had traveled a lot already, and for me, it was just another new place to explore. I had never even been to the city before! Initially, the plan was to keep my job, and that worked out for a while, until around December. At some point, my manager sat me down and said, "If you want to succeed in this life project as much as you did here [at Lufthansa], you need to give it your all." So, I decided to quit my job.

By then you were probably older than your classmates, right? How did you navigate the age gap? 

Definitely. I was 23 when I started, and it was a bit tough, to be honest, starting with so many younger people. There was only one person who was 28; the rest were mainly 18 or 19. While that may not seem like a huge age gap, the difference was in our experiences. By then, I had traveled extensively thanks to my job, and I was used to working with people my age. I also knew how to handle things like taxes and living independently. For many of my classmates, it was their first time living away from their parents, so we were at different stages in life. Because everyone was so much younger, I jokingly gave myself the title of “grandma.” Relating to younger people was a bit of a struggle at first. Moving abroad was a new challenge too; I had been traveling a lot but never "moved-moved." That was different.

What happened after graduation? 

Right after graduating, I thought, "I need a sabbatical!" Studying during COVID was especially difficult for me, so I said, "I just want to live!" and went through a bit of an identity shift. When I first came to Leeuwarden, I had such a strong sense of self, but the programme really changed me. I had very fixed ideas, but by the time I graduated, I became much more open-minded; the opposite of what happens to some people. The change was also reflected in my style. Before I joined GRL, I had long blonde hair, very "feminine." A week before starting, I shaved my head. During GRL, I experimented with my hair and got my first tattoos (in 2022), now I have quite a few. All this to say, the girl I was when I applied is very different from the woman I am now.

❝The girl I was when I applied is very different from the woman I am now.❞

How do you explain that?

GRL is such an intensive, immersive programme, attracting a lot of like-minded people, and it leaves little room for dissent. During my time, I saw people become very narrow-minded, in my opinion, too strict about certain things. I personally believe that being extreme or clinging too tightly to certain views will not get us anywhere. As I got older, I realized how tiring it is to live like that. It controls everything: where you travel, what you eat, how you dress. At one point, I was doomscrolling and focusing too much on what was wrong in the world. That’s when I snapped out of it and decided, "This can’t be it."

How did this shift in identity influence what came next?

At the start of my studies, I thought I wanted to work for the UN or similar diplomatic institutions, and I imagined staying in the humanitarian field. But by the end of my studies, I realized that I couldn’t do it. Given my personality, I knew that that field would consume me and affect my well-being.

As I was figuring things out, I started working as a waitress and completed yoga teacher training. I began to feel pressure to pursue a master’s degree after seeing some former classmates either pursuing their degrees or hearing that I should consider one for a successful career. As a result, I decided to enroll in a master’s programme at the Technical University of Munich, but I did so more out of a sense of obligation than genuine interest. After one semester, I realized it was too similar to GRL, so I quit and started job hunting. I knew I wanted to go either into ESG or HR. Through a friend of a friend, who I met at a party, I found a job in HR at a small company in Munich, where I currently work. Now, I am the Head of the Learning & Development team, and have essentially returned to the training department. My focus is on leadership, team development, and diversity (I even wrote my thesis on feminism!). I now see so many connections between GRL and what I do. Topics I was introduced to during my studies are now coming alive through implementation in the workplace. I’m very happy with what I do.

❝Topics I was introduced to during my studies are now coming alive through implementation in the workplace.❞

What would you tell someone who is on the fence about joining GRL? 

GRL might not be the "safest" option, like a business degree. With business, you know what to expect; it’s a well-beaten path. GRL, on the other hand, pushes you out of your comfort zone while helping you reevaluate your values in a safe space. It’s so familiar that it almost feels like a family. Everyone feels like part of a community. It’s a place to ask yourself, "What do I want to bring to the world? What values do I have?" and a safe bubble to start figuring that out.

❝It’s a place to ask yourself, "What do I want to bring to the world? What values do I have?" and a safe bubble to start figuring that out.❞