What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
The Master's in Microbiology gives a nice overview of microbiological research in both the medical and environmental sectors. I myself have more experience with research in the medical sector through my previous education (Bachelor's degree in biology and medical laboratory research, Avans Hogeschool in Breda). That is precisely why it is interesting to see other sides of microbiology. This has also made me think about possible next steps after my studies.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
There is mutual respect between tutor and student and tutors are very approachable. There is a safe atmosphere during lessons, which encourages asking questions. But teachers are also easy to reach outside lessons via e-mail and on location. The atmosphere between students is also very good. In a short time, I have managed to build up a very good friendship with a number of fellow students. It is especially nice that many people have different backgrounds but everyone has the same interests, which makes it easy to make contact.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
With the writing assignments in particular, it is important to make a tight schedule and to stick to it. During the Master's, you are responsible for your own progress, so you have to work hard to complete it within two years. You can also choose to take three years, for instance. I myself have been studying for a longer time now because of my prior education, and therefore choose to complete the study within two years but this requires discipline. I myself benefited a lot from the study information point (STIP), where Conny (Biology study coordinator) helped me with my planning.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I chose to do one internship within medical microbiology and one internship within environmental microbiology to get a more complete picture of the possibilities with this Master's degree. For my first internship, I researched humoral immunity to Neisseria at the RIVM in Bilthoven. I am doing my second internship at MNEXT in Breda, where I am researching the relationship between stress in fungi and the production of pure mycelium materials (as a replacement for animal leather, for example). I really like the fact that despite the Master's in Microbiology being very specific, the internship (and work) opportunities are very broad. In addition, I also like the fact that Radboud encourages looking for internships outside the university, this was a reason for me to choose Radboud and not a master's elsewhere that I had also been taken on.
Why do you think it is important that there are people with this degree? What are your plans once you have received your Master's degree?
I really enjoy doing research, but you often need a Master's to actually draw conclusions from your own experiments. To get more challenge from work, I chose to do a Master's. This has also given me the option of doing a PhD after completing my studies. It is precisely because of this challenge that I am able to solve complex problems, enabling me to make a good contribution to enriching knowledge that can be used in society.