Ștefana (Stef for most of her colleagues) moved to Rotterdam for a six-month exchange programme that became the first page of her story in the Netherlands. Ten years and many rainy days later, she has found a sense of belonging in both the city and the IHS community.
Putting down roots in Rotterdam
After an internship in the Netherlands, her decision to join IHS and work in the Marketing and Communications department meant not only a career step, but also a lifechanging move abroad. While the bad winter weather and the very different social climate took some getting used to, Stefana grew to love Rotterdam due to its energy and diversity, and in time, it became synonymous with home for her. A quote by Dutch poet Rien Vroegindeweij sums up the vibe of the city very well: “If everyone comes from somewhere else, no one is a stranger.”
The many hats of a communication specialist
From the start, she felt strongly about the mission of IHS and she loved the warm, multicultural atmosphere of the institute. The flexibility of her role, with many various activities and enriching insights, was just the cherry on top. Initially focusing on social media and website management, she soon established an in-house graphic design function and gradually focused more on corporate communication. "Communication activities are like puzzle pieces. They are all different but they fit together and create a bigger picture that makes sense. In our department, we also do many different things, but we combine our efforts for common goals."
An experience she holds dear was being part of the organising team of IHS’s 60-year anniversary conference 'Empowering Cities and Citizens'. This eight-month-long marathon of planning a conference with hundreds of guests taught her a lot about translating a concept into a complex and exciting event. Among many other tasks, being responsible for the event's branding remains her favourite aspect.
“Constantly zooming in and out comes naturally when you think about communication. You have to think holistically and aim for strategic alignment, but also remain aware of the importance of details and touchpoints when crafting experiences."
In recent years, Ștefana's focus has shifted to strategic communications and alumni relations, as she is also the Alumni Relations Officer. “In this role, I can more easily identify complementarities between the alumni and communication areas. This is something communication professionals in higher education encounter very often. Many of us wear different hats and find synergies between our roles."
Recognising the value of our alumni
As an Alumni Relations Officer, Ștefana understands that the alumni community is a vital part of the institute’s mission. Alumni apply the knowledge and skills gained at IHS to urban challenges around the world, often in high-impact roles and in contexts where sustainable urban development is urgently needed. "Witnessing their growth after graduation, hearing about their memories but also about the impact they make, getting feedback from students on interactions that supported them further - these are all things that drive us", says Ștefana.
Recognising the great value our alumni bring, we are committed to creating meaningful engagement pathways and relevant opportunities for them. Their feedback helps us improve the quality of our programmes, and their work and efforts inspire us. Together, we can create real-world impact.
“For us, alumni are not just former students but important partners in our mission towards creating more inclusive, resilient, and well-managed cities.”
Where diversity meets collaboration
At IHS, diversity isn’t just something you encounter in the classroom, but it is part of daily working life. Staff come from all over the world, making cultural exchange an everyday thing. “We always have something fun to discover about each other,” she says, describing conversations over lunch about traditions, languages, food and shared experiences.
Also contributing to the good working atmosphere, are her colleagues from the Marketing and Communications team, who provide a friendly and respectful climate. "I am always happy to see them when I come to the office. One can always expect a cheerful hello, jokes, and a lot of chocolate, but also actual professional support and smooth working relations."
As global and local contexts keep on shifting, Ștefana hopes the institute will remain adaptable and forward-thinking. “I’m excited to be part of the process and constantly curious in front of big, future-related questions”, she says.
