She completed her Bachelor's degree in Textile Technology with specialisation in Textile Management at The Hochschule Niederrhein in Mönchengladbach from 2016-2021. The young woman then "plunged" straight into self-employment. Initially, this was not her plan at all. "But due to a start-up idea that I just couldn't get out of my head, I started down the path," says Betül Arik. Her goal, she says, is to make clothing more practical and comfortable for women, for every clothing size. "As a textile engineer, I saw potential to approach the apparel industry from a different perspective and change things!". On the side, she is currently working on her startup-related master's degree in applied entrepreneurship.
Betül Arik believes that she was partly influenced subconsciously by many professors, especially from the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at Hochschule Niederrhein. The female professors were role models for Betül and her fellow students in that they were good at balancing family and career in terms of an academic career.
The young self-employed woman is very positive about the Degree programme she chose at the time and would choose it again and again. She praised The Hochschule Niederrhein, saying, "At the Hochschule you enjoy the best apprenticeship in Europe in this field."
She said her fondest memories of the university were an excursion to Switzerland or a visit to the textile trade fair in Barcelona, but also visits to the library with fellow students and a champagne toast after the last written examination were joyful events in her student career.
Overall, Betül Arik thanks the university by reporting that she not only enjoyed a very good apprenticeship, but also had an unforgettable time. Several friendships spread all over the globe were made thanks to the university.
Betül Arik has one more tip for all new students in Mönchengladbach: "You can make the city of Mönchengladbach a nicer place by making good friends, and you should just give the city a chance. You should be open to all the options the university offers and take it all in."
