Eline and Lieke are twin sisters who both study Health Sciences at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences - Maastricht University.

Eline: “My choice for the bachelor's programme in Health Sciences and for the city of Maastricht was a very conscious one. I chose the city because it is a great student city. And because it is a real city (with city life), but not so big that you feel lost in it.” Lieke: “Maastricht is also a typical 'Limburg' city (= with a Burgundian lifestyle). In between lectures, you can have a break at an outdoor pub sitting area with your new friends.”

Lieke: “As to the study programme itself: both of us were interested in healthcare, but we weren't interested in becoming a physician. But then the question arose: if not a doctor, what then? Health Sciences in Maastricht is a broad-ranged study programme; year one addresses several tracks, from which you choose one to specialise in as of year two. Eline: "That was a good thing for me, because in year 1 I didn't know yet which direction I wanted to go. That broad-ranged first year gave me the opportunity to find out where my personal interests lied. That turned out to be the specialisation 'Policy, Management and Evaluation of Health Care'. The same as Lieke!"

Lieke: "Within this specialisation, you study how healthcare is organised and how we can improve it." Eline: "And you learn a lot about managment and innovations in healthcare." Lieke: "What appeals to me is the combination of theory and practice within this specialisation."

Eline: "My plans for the future are still not written in stone, but I do know that I want to work in the care sector. Thankfully, the 'Policy' specialisation is broad-ranged, offering me a variety of job opportunities after graduation." Lieke: "That's true, we can do a lot of different things at a lot of different places. We could end up in a healthcare institution, but also in a company. At the moment, my preference is for a job in a healtcare insitution, because that offers me the opportunity to help people and this kind of work really matters. That is what makes this study programme very valuable to me."

Eline: "My tip for new students would be: go and study at a place where you feel comfortable, and enjoy student life to the fullest!" Lieke: "But most importantly: choose a study programme that you enjoy. Because then you are truly motivated and your time as a student will be awesome!"