The Challenge: Turning Offer-Holders into a Connected Community
SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences is known for its welcoming and international atmosphere, where students from around the world come together to learn and grow. Yet, turning accepted students into an engaged community before they even stepped on campus wasn’t easy. WhatsApp chats and email threads often went quiet, and many new students arrived without feeling truly connected - missing that early sense of belonging SRH Haarlem's campus wanted to create.
When Georgia Spanou, Head of Marketing and Recruitment at SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences, reflected on the student journey, she noticed how excitement faded between acceptance and arrival. “We reply so fast that the excitement leaves quite soon,” she shared. Georgia and her team wanted to find a way to keep that spark alive - helping students stay engaged, informed, and confident during those months of waiting. Existing tools weren’t enough; the team needed a central space where students could connect with one another and get a feel for university life before they arrived.
Before Uni-Life, new students at SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences often arrived on campus without knowing anyone -eager but unsure. The university wanted to change that. They introduced Uni-Life to make it easier for students to connect and feel part of something from the start. The difference was immediate: “We noticed that for the first time this year, students came to the intro days not as strangers, but as friends through the connections they already made through Uni-Life. We love it. They love it.”
Where Connection Comes Naturally
SRH Haarlem Campus and Uni-Life worked closely to create a digital space that truly reflected the university’s international and community-driven spirit. The goal was to offer students one central hub where they could connect with like-minded peers, explore events, chat with peers, and discover opportunities - all in one place. By combining social interaction with university orientation, Uni-Life gave students a reason to return again and again, turning what used to be a scattered experience into a lively and connected one.
The collaboration was smooth from the very beginning. The Uni-Life team supported SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences every step of the way - from setup to launch - ensuring the process stayed simple and well-organised. Having a dedicated community manager behind the scenes helped the university keep engagement high without adding extra workload to staff. The platform quickly became an easy and enjoyable tool to manage, freeing up time for the team to focus on student experience rather than administration.
Since introducing Uni-Life, SRH Haarlem Campus has noticed a clear transformation in student life. More students are discovering campus activities, connecting with one another earlier, and engaging with the university community in meaningful ways. The platform has helped nurture a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom - creating a campus atmosphere that feels more inclusive, supportive, and vibrant than ever before.
Real Results: Connection That Starts Before Campus
With the platform in place, SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences quickly saw the community come to life. 43.5% of all offer-holders signed up to Uni-Life - a remarkable level of participation that transformed the quiet pre-arrival months into a time of genuine connection. Students weren’t just signing up; they were engaging. Over 1,100 one-on-one messages were exchanged between students, helping them find common ground, share advice, and feel part of something before setting foot on campus.
The feedback reflected the change. 63.5% of students said they felt more socially confident to start their studies because of Uni-Life, and 31.8% shared that it influenced their decision to enroll. Through the app, many discovered pre-arrival webinars, orientation events, and meetups they might have otherwise missed - and 31% even joined private group chats, creating genuine friendships before the semester began. What used to be a scattered process of updates and WhatsApp threads became an engaging, supportive environment that students actively wanted to be part of.
For SRH Haarlem Campus, the impact went far beyond the screen. Students arrived already connected, confident, and ready to take part in university life from day one. The Uni-Life platform didn’t just help them settle in - it helped them belong.
Looking Ahead: Building on Connection
Looking ahead, SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences plans to keep Uni-Life at the heart of its onboarding and community-building journey. After seeing how effectively the platform connected students before day one, the university now views it as an essential part of welcoming each new cohort. Chats, groups, and events will continue to help students form friendships and find their place early, keeping the excitement high and first-day nerves low.
The university has also seen how Uni-Life supports students well beyond the offer-holder phase. It’s become a trusted space where they can explore events, meet new people, and stay informed about campus life. As one student shared, “I really liked connecting with other students on the app,” while another noted, “Uni-Life provided us with all the information we needed.” These small reflections capture what the university hoped to achieve - a platform that makes students feel both prepared and included.
For staff, Uni-Life continues to simplify communication. Announcements, updates, and campaigns can be shared quickly and easily, with the Uni-Life Community Team ensuring engagement stays strong in the background. The partnership with SRH Haarlem University Campus and Uni-Life has turned what was once a logistical challenge into a meaningful opportunity -creating a community that keeps growing, connecting, and supporting one another year after year.
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