Tess was born and raised on the island of Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Her father is Spanish and her mother is Dutch. From a young age, she learned to study and work in a multicultural environment at an international school.

How it all started – A life on the water

‘Being a restless and enthusiastic child, I quickly figured out that water sports were my absolute favourite activity. When I was 7 years old my mom signed me up for sailing camps. At the age of 16 I was sailing as a top youth athlete and travelling around the world. 

That time taught me how to work in a team, to be disciplined, to have perseverance and to be creative with my time about study, sports, and leisure. Being surrounded by water, I always made time to surf when there were waves and to wakeboard when there were none. Snowboarding is also one of my great passions.’

Choosing Sport Studies – Learn by doing

‘At 18, I had to choose a study programme. I promised myself I would not spend 4 years putting my passions on hold to pursue my studies. Being an island kid, I needed an active study programme that provided me with the opportunity to ‘learn by doing’. 

After some research and talking to people I knew in the Netherlands, I came across Sport Studies – track ISMB. What appeals to me most about this programme is that it includes a total of 3 internships, one minor and a huge network of inspiring people.  This allows you to carve your own path toward your dreams and prepares you to become a professional sport leader.’

Discovering the action sport industry at Ripstar

‘For my second-year internship, I joined Ripstar, an action sport travel company based in Amsterdam. They organise snow, surf and wake camps, instructor courses, and custom trips.

I chose Ripstar to see if the board sport industry would suit me professionally. I wanted to understand the difference between enjoying a sport and managing it. As it’s a small company, I got to work in many marketing areas like social media, e-commerce, and SEO.

It was my first internship, and I was very happy with both the tasks and the team. I gained real insight into marketing, communications, and hospitality. That summer, they asked me to help at a surf camp in Northern Spain as assistant team manager and Spanish speaker. A great experience!’

Living the dream at Roxy in California

‘Roxy has been an inspiration to me for years. So when I got the chance to intern at their office in Huntington Beach, California, I didn’t hesitate. I joined as a Merchandising and Development Intern. It was a dream come true. I admired Roxy since I was a young girl. Living and working in the US gave me a deeper look into American culture and global sport business.

Roxy’s motto “Make waves. Move mountains.” really matches who I am. It’s about overcoming challenges through board sports and female strength. Besides my main tasks, I also supported the marketing team. I worked on trend reports, photo shoots, product development, and even modelled for a Roxy footwear campaign. It was truly an unforgettable adventure.’

A perfect match – Graduation internship at O’Neill

‘I wanted to intern at a brand that shares my passion for board sports. O’Neill was the perfect choice. They focus on innovative, functional products for active people. As a product marketing intern, I learned how to understand customer needs and promote products.

My work involved market research, campaign development, social media, and teamwork across departments. This internship showed me how all the skills I gained in Sport Studies come together in a real job.’

Helping O’Neill make smart marketing choices

‘For my graduation research, I looked at how O’Neill can best invest in digital marketing. With more brands spending big online, there’s pressure to get results.

My research helped O’Neill choose between hiring a digital marketing expert in-house or working with an agency. It was exciting to contribute to real business decisions.’

What’s next for Tess?

‘During my studies I decided to step out of the sport world for a while, to discover my creative side. During the Visual Storytelling minor I developed the skills to communicate stories using visual and digital media such as video, graphic design, and photography. I loved this minor so much that I have decided to try to combine being creative with the sport industry. This is an exciting time for me, and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead as a graduate in Sport Studies.’

Tess’s tips for new students

‘Your first year in Sport Studies will be full of new experiences. Stay organised with a good schedule and planner. Be active in class and ask questions — your lecturers and guest speakers have a lot to offer.

Study groups are also great for learning from your classmates. Make sure you apply what you learn through internships, volunteering, and sport events.

Enjoy student life too — make friends, join clubs, and explore everything the university has to offer. And most of all: take care of yourself. Find balance between work and fun. Good luck!’

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