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Tess did her internships at Ripstar, Roxy and O'Neill

Graduate Sport Studies

Tess graduate Sport Studies, internship at O'Neill

'What appeals to me most about this programme is that it includes 3 internships, a minor and a huge network of inspiring people'

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.’

Tess during her internship at O'Neill

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!’

Excited?

Curious if Sport Studies is the right fit for you? Come and experience it for yourself! Get a feel for the programme, ask all your questions and see if this is the study for you. 

Check the dates and sign up for the Sport Studies open day