Raphael is from Austria and chose to come to Maastricht for the two-year master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences. “I studied Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna and during the last year of my bachelor’s I did a six-month internship here at the university hospital, researching cancer biomarkers. It was a great experience.

After my bachelor’s programme in Austria - which was very traditional with only lectures and exams - I considered several master’s programmes at universities with very good reputations. In the end I opted for Maastricht because of its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. I wasn’t convinced right away that this method would provide me with the most information, but when one of my professors in Vienna said I should also try and develop myself personally, I decided to go for it. I haven’t regretted it since!

Through the PBL system I’ve really developed some important life-skills. You learn to learn so to speak. I’m very happy with my choice so far. Besides my studies, I’m very much enjoying student life. Together with my girlfriend who is doing her bachelor’s here, I live in a wonderful apartment right in the city centre. I’m also very interested in exploring extracurricular activities, like yoga, gymnastics and rhetoric. The offer here at Maastricht University is amazing and to me that is also a big plus. I’m always interested in exploring new things.

As a next step I hope to obtain a PhD position and pursue a career in academia, even though that’s a very competitive route. However, I also heard about the possibility to go to Japan for a Double Degree Programme. That would also be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Like I said, I’m all for exploring new things!”