April 14, 2026
From Ferris to the Netherlands: How study abroad shaped Stephen Bender’s education
With a curiosity for travel and a push from close friends, Ferris State University CIS student Stephen Bender turned a dream into reality when he spent a semester studying abroad in the Netherlands at Hogeschool Utrecht. What he expected to be a simple academic experience quickly became a journey that reshaped his confidence, independence, and worldview.
Bender had been interested in studying abroad since high school, but it wasn’t until college friends’ encouragement that he finally made the decision. His travels took him from a train ride into Amsterdam to the vibrant city of Utrecht, where he settled into an apartment complex with suitemates who soon became close friends.
Living abroad came with its challenges. Grocery shopping was unexpectedly difficult, and navigating daily life without family nearby required quick adaptation. Biking, the most popular mode of transportation in the Netherlands, became part of his routine and one of the biggest cultural differences he noticed. He found managing his phone plan and banking while abroad to be tricky. Despite these challenges, it all became an opportunity for growth.
The friendships he formed abroad became some of the most meaningful parts of his experience. He noted that being invited to spend Christmas with local friends made the Netherlands feel like a second home.
He encourages students to move out of their comfort zone and get involved. “Participate in as many social events as you possibly can,” Bender said. “You’ll never really get that experience again, and you come back with better stories to tell.”
His time abroad also opened new possibilities. Bender was encouraged to explore opportunities in sales, a field he hadn’t previously considered. The hands-off class structure also pushed him to engage more deeply with the culture and community around him. While taking classes, he discovered traveling throughout Europe was easy and affordable, fueling his desire to return, possibly for a master’s degree. Stephen says, “It’s like a vacation—because you actually experience another part of the world.”
For Bender, studying abroad wasn’t just a semester away from home. It was a life-changing experience that taught him how to navigate the world independently and embrace challenges with new confidence.