Gaining the skills to lead sustainable change
"Hi, I’m Lise Marsan, a second-year student studying Global Project and Change Management (GPCM) at Windesheim.
I’ve always been curious about the world. My mom went to Honduras at 19 to do voluntary work, my grandparents moved to South Africa for social projects, and my dad migrated to the Netherlands at 24.
Their stories inspired me to explore, connect, and make a difference. Then I found GPCM, a programme that combines travel, sustainability, and real impact. It prepares students to become changemakers who can tackle global challenges anywhere in the world. GPCM is a top-rated, NVAO-accredited Honours Bachelor’s programme for ambitious students.
What really drew me in is that from day one, we work on real-life projects for actual clients, all connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It’s a programme that balances practical experience with academic depth, helping you grow personally, professionally, and academically."
Discover Global Project and Change Management
Seize the day
"My mom always says: 'Seize the day.' It reminds me to make the most of every moment. And that’s exactly what we do at Global Project and Change Management.
Our lecturers act more like coaches than traditional teachers, guiding us closely but also giving us the freedom to take initiative and explore what we care about. My first project was with the art school Cibap, where we created workshops to reduce student loneliness. My current project is with ITRAC London, helping children cope with eco-anxiety in primary schools.
These projects showed me how much I’ve grown academically, personally, and professionally, while developing skills in leadership, teamwork, sustainability, and international project management, skills that I can use anywhere in the world."
GPCM feels like home
"When I started, it felt like walking into an empty house full of strangers. But soon, it became home.
GPCM's connected community helps you get to know people quickly, making moving away from home much easier. Within weeks, those strangers became close friends, and we shared late-night talks, dinners, and laughter.
Classes are small too, so you get personal attention from lecturers and really feel part of the community."
Working together, making change
"One of my favourite parts of the study Global Project and Change Management is being part of an international community of changemakers. Together, we work on projects both locally and globally, all connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. Collaborating with students from different backgrounds teaches me how to communicate, collaborate, and lead, while also giving me a sense of the impact I can have, both close to home and around the world.
"GPCM is a broad project management programme, and along the way, you discover which type of organization suits you best. I know alumni who now work for NGOs like UNICEF, others have joined organizations such as Rabobank, a major Dutch bank, and some have even started their own sustainable businesses, for example in fashion.
Seeing all these paths inspires me and shows how many ways I can contribute to meaningful change around the world. Being part of a programme recognized internationally for excellence in sustainable development, winning awards like the Dutch Higher Education Award, Triple E Awards, and a Gold Medal from Elsevier’s Best Study Programmes, makes me even more confident in the impact of the projects we work on."
Exploring the world
"In my free time, I’ve travelled to Poland, Portugal, and Madrid to visit friends and family. These trips taught me a lot about different cultures and made me more aware of global challenges.
During a weekend in Alicante, I was shocked by the amount of plastic on the beach. We started cleaning it up, and soon others joined in. It was a powerful moment that made me realize I want to work on ocean sustainability projects and help reduce pollution.
Next year, I’m planning to spend a semester abroad. Windesheim has around 300 partner universities all over the world, from South Korea and Uruguay to Cyprus. You can choose what you want to focus on and explore something that adds to your knowledge, whether it’s design, learning a language, marine biology, or anything else you’re curious about. Because of my Latin background, I’d really like to go to a Spanish-speaking country to improve my Spanish every day."
Looking ahead
"Through hands-on projects, teamwork, and international collaborations, I’m gaining the confidence and skills to lead sustainable change.
After GPCM, I would love to do a Master’s degree in South Africa, where my family once worked on education projects. I want to improve education opportunities and create meaningful impact for communities. Or perhaps I’ll focus on ocean sustainability projects, following my passion for protecting the environment.
I’ve learned that staying positive and hopeful can make a real difference. And that’s exactly what I aim to do - wherever I go next."