International education leader visits OHIO, discusses expanded global opportunities for students

This past fall, the Walter Center for Strategic Leadership in the College of Business welcomed Bas Baalmans, managing director of the University of Groningen’s Digital Business Center, to Ohio University.

Baalmans has played a pivotal role in building the partnership between Ohio University's Center for International Business Education and Development (CIBED) and the University of Groningen in Netherlands. That partnership led to the launch of the inaugural Global Consulting Program (GCP) in the Netherlands in 2025.

While GCP is a CIBED-led program, the Walter Center has been proud to partner in promoting the Netherlands experience because of its strong emphasis on leadership development—an alignment that supports the Center’s long-term vision of expanding global leadership opportunities for its students.

The partnership—and the genuine professional relationships that developed between Baalmans, CIBED, and Walter Center faculty and staff—sparked new ideas and collaborative energy. Beyond the cultural exchange, the Global Consulting Program offers a meaningful internship and applied business experience, providing students with cross-cultural immersion and leadership skills that set them apart in a global workforce.

During his time in Athens, Baalmans experienced several Ohio University traditions, including his first American basketball and football games. The football game turned out to be a true Ohio experience—it poured rain the entire time, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. What really caught his attention, though, was the Ohio University Marching 110. In the Netherlands, sports aren’t embedded in school life, and there’s nothing quite like a marching band at a game. Seeing the band perform was a highlight for him, and a reminder of just how unique American campus culture can be.

Football and tailgating quickly became the perfect way to bring Baalmans into the heart of campus life. The Walter Center made sure everyone felt part of the team: students received OHIO rally towels and pom poms to cheer on the Bobcats, and Baalmans, with the help of site director Steve Musser, found an old-school letterman-style OHIO coat at a local business to wear to that night's game.

Before the home football game on Nov. 18, he joined one of the Center’s Signature Events: LeadLive - Tailgate Edition. Students from the 2025 and 2026 GCP classes gathered, creating a friendly mix of new faces and familiar friends. Returning students swapped stories and memories with younger classmates, sharing tips on favorite places to eat and must-see spots in the Netherlands. Laughter and conversation filled the air as they reminisced about Dutch pancakes in Amsterdam, visiting FC Groningen, the Heineken Headquarters, and the Anne Frank House.

Everyone enjoyed sampling traditional Dutch treats—like stroopwafels and French fries with mayonnaise—adding a taste of the Netherlands to the day.

Baalmans joined in the conversations, sharing thoughtful insights about the differences between American and Dutch culture in daily life, business, and education.

He also spoke about the importance of digital technology and the growing impact of artificial intelligence in global business. While these changes can feel overwhelming, Baalmans encouraged students to embrace new technologies to stay ahead. His perspective helped students see both the differences between countries and the ways that business norms are shifting everywhere.

Tysen Rupp, a junior studying supply chain management and analytics, is part of this year’s GCP trip to the Netherlands. The LeadLive event left him even more excited for the journey ahead.

He shared that the event offered valuable insight into both Dutch culture and the project that’s part of the trip. While learning about business is a key part of the experience, he said, understanding how people live and interact in the Netherlands is just as important. The event helped set expectations and painted a clearer picture of what to anticipate abroad.

One of the most interesting things Rupp learned from Baalmans was how people communicate in the Netherlands and across Europe.

“Something he said that I liked was how direct people are in the Netherlands,” Rupp said. “I’m a pretty direct person myself, so I could relate. I like that people are really direct and will say exactly what they’re thinking.”

Overall, Rupp felt the event was a great way to build excitement and learn more about the journey ahead.

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To help prospective students learn more about what’s ahead, seniors Reed Compton and Nolan Herubin—who joined last year’s trip—shared their experiences.

Compton reflected that spending time with his professors in a new context and learning how business is handled in the Netherlands was eye-opening.

“It was the most amazing experience of my life, just getting to see firsthand how a different country operates—both in business and in daily life,” he said. “The way the Dutch community works together is really neat.”

Compton said it’s important for students to hear about the trip from their peers, since those experiences can be very different from what site directors will touch on in class.

“I think it was really cool to hear about the experience from a student perspective,” he said. “Learning about the fun activities, the professional development opportunities, and the chance to meet new people and grow your network and friendships was really exciting.”

He added that hearing from Baalmans directly was invaluable. While American visitors can share their perspectives on cultural differences, speaking with a Dutch native provides students with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what to expect.