Why Anna chose Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience / Fundamental Neuroscience

Studying at Maastricht University (UM) is a personalised, life enriching experience that prepares you for the future, both professionally and personally. Our bachelor’s and master’s programmes are designed for students who have an intrinsic curiosity in human behaviour and health. Students ‘who want to go the extra mile’ on a professional and/or personal level. What’s your extra mile?

Anna, 21, is from the United States of America and came to Maastricht for the 2-year Research Master in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience / Fundamental Neuroscience. “I have a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from a university in upstate New York. Last summer I did a course in Amsterdam in the psychology of happiness and fell in love with this country.”

Anna’s extra mile in health: “Using the PBL sessions to grow my leadership skills and my confidence for my career and PhD position later on.”

“During my bachelor’s I was especially interested in biology and psychology and brain-derived behaviour. So I was definitely looking for a master’s programme in this field. After spending the summer in Amsterdam, I decided I wanted to study in the Netherlands. It’s so much easier to live a more sustainable life here. I researched several universities and was intrigued by Maastricht University. Its small-scale and personal approach is perfect for me. I also needed to step out of my comfort zone and chose Problem-Based Learning to grow my leadership skills and confidence. When I got accepted for a scholarship I knew I’d made the right decision.

So far I’m loving the programme. Because it’s so small-scale, it’s easy to make meaningful connections with your fellow students and your professors.

My goal is to become a researcher and do a PhD after this master’s. I’m very interested in the mechanisms in the brain that initiate or control behaviour. Maybe conduct research into diseases like Parkinson’s or Huntingdon’s. Besides aiming to be a researcher I also love learning and encouraging others to learn, so maybe I can combine research with teaching.”