What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you?
What I like most is the ability to adapt your programme to your own interests and even if you have chosen a specific specialisation you can always switch. I started with a combination of Epidemiology and Health Technology Assessment courses, but I found that HTA wasn't what I was looking for. So I did some other courses from Immunology & Host Defence for example. My first choice wasn't something I was stuck with.
What has really challenged me was the many different courses in a short time. Every four weeks you have two new, sometimes totally different, courses with new peers and new groups. This is difficult to get used to but you learn a lot of different skills, adaptability for one and of course the ability to work with a lot of different people.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere in class is really nice, you are able to ask anything at any time. The hierarchy of teacher and student is not really present. While some teachers like to be called sir or miss, others tell us to just use their first name. In either case every single teacher is really approachable, and you are sometimes even able to find them in the bar to get a drink with.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
The most challenging is the constant change between different subjects. It is sometimes hard to keep up with all the courses and all the teachers. During some months I got the subjects mixed up making it more difficult during the exam. However, it is really nice to be able to adapt to this and if the course is not really a good one for you, you only have to endure for four weeks.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am currently finishing my programme in a less traditional way. I finished my two internships already and wrote my thesis last year. Now I am just following a few more courses in my third year to acquire my Epidemiology A registration. My first internship was related to Health Technology Assessment and I went to Indonesia for 20 weeks to do this. My second internship was Epidemiology related at the RIVM. My thesis was on the epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever for the High Level Isolation Unit, I was also able to present this work at the ESCMID conference during my programme.
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 think it is really important that there are people with this degree as we are taught a lot of different things, specialised on different topics. While you might only need one of the courses for your future career, you will always have the knowledge of all of the courses and internships. This makes you think in a broader way, always thinking steps ahead.
After I have receiver my Master's degree I will first take some time off to travel. Afterwards I would really like to start working at the RIVM (where I also did my last internship) as an epidemiologist.