Dutch adventure provides confidence and career clarity
A GCU student has reflected on a trimester long exchange in the Netherlands and how it benefitted her both personally and professionally.
Fourth year BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences student Sara Pawlikowska spent the first part of her third year at HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen.
During her six months abroad, Sara completed a biotechnology minor and believes the opportunity helped her gain a different insight into her profession.
“This was the first time a student has went over to HAN to do a module that specifically focuses on biotechnology,” explained Sara.
“I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect because it was a brand new experience. The good thing about biotechnology is that it’s such a broad area. It links into food but you can also work on projects around plastics and sustainability – it really is the perfect combination of biology and technology.”
Sara added: “There were two parts to my studies in Nijmegen. The first one was more theory based with quite a few classes each day. The second part then incorporated lab work, with my particular research focusing on casein, which is the protein that gives cheese its cheesiness! We had to build our own bioreactors where we would grow and harvest it before then analysing it.
“It was really useful to get this experience of seeing the process from start to finish. It was also interesting to experience a different type of teaching that is so hands-on. The student group is a lot smaller as well; there was only about 15 of us which was good for independent learning.
“I liked the fact that no-one ever gave us the answers to the issues. We didn’t have to just learn something, remember it and then apply it – we actually had to try out different things and look for solutions.”
As well as experiencing the benefits of academic learning abroad, Sara also got the time to explore Nijmegen and soak up various cultural opportunities across the Netherlands.
She explained: “Nijmegen’s actually quite a big city - I think it’s one of the oldest in the Netherlands. People cycle everywhere and you basically have everything you need close by. Our university didn’t have a sports centre but there was a local facility that we could use – it was amazing. The city is very beautiful, and it’s easy to get to other places.
“I’d never been to the Netherlands before, but I now know it’s such a beautiful place. It’s so easy to travel around and there are so many discounts.
“I got to go to Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. It was interesting because the cities were very different to each other. Utrecht was probably my favourite place – it had all the qualities of Amsterdam with the canals but it wasn’t as crowded.”
Sara admits that her confidence has grown as a result of the trip and that she now has a clearer idea of the next steps in her career.
“I’m definitely more independent as a result of my research and my learning, but also the travelling aspect of my visit.
“My communication skills have also improved because I met so many people from around the world. I had eight different flatmates in my corridor where I was staying and they were all from different countries – we even had different culture nights so we could learn about each other and where we were from. I still keep in touch with them to this day!
“The trip was intense but I definitely enjoyed it. It’s given me the encouragement to potentially study a Masters in Biotechnology. I think it’s been the main factor in helping me decide what I want to do in future, so I would definitely recommend other students take up any similar opportunities.”
Find out more about GCU’s BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences course
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter