My extra mile in health: "Improve people’s work experience, by focusing on wellbeing instead of productivity"

After graduating from high school, I was offered a 1-year scholarship to study and play tennis in Florida. I very much enjoyed the international experience, but an injury brought me back to Germany where I completed a bachelor’s in psychology.

My extra mile in health: "Making legal proceedings inclusive and accessible for all vulnerable victims, regardless of race, gender, or education level"

In Aberdeen, I volunteered for Witness Support Scotland. They directly support victims of crime in court and guide them through the legal proceedings. For example, they simplify the language so that everybody knows what happens and what is expected from them.

My extra mile in health: "I want to use my scientific knowledge to shape the future of work with focus on motivation and self-growth over productivity"

I have always wanted to do a master, but the area of psychology is very broad. I found it hard to figure out what I want to do most. After graduating my bachelor’s in psychology, I had a job in HR and recruiting for a while and really liked working in an organisational environment. I would like to work as an organisational psychologist, developing training and coaching tracks for individuals as well as their employers.

My extra mile in health: "Improve the criminal justice system through research, essential evidence-based practices, and assessments"

After graduating from psychology, I took a year off and worked at a forensic mental institute in Wisconsin where I watched over patients, interacted with them, observed, and documented their behaviour for the clinical team.

My extra mile in health: "Doing as much clinical research as possible in Psychedelics or other perception-altering compounds"

This programme is preparing us for a career in academic and industry research, specifically in developing new drugs and treatments for diseases which affect the brain. I have a particular interest in treating diseases or disorders that affect perception, such as schizophrenia and other psychosis. I have a great interest in consciousness itself and its function, so changes to it fascinate me.

My extra mile in health: "Gain as much practical experience as possible and looking for pro-active ways to learn and become an expert in the field"

This is a three-year research-oriented neuroscientific master’s programme that specifically looks at the molecular basis of neuroscientific phenomena like diseases and disorders. I am more interested in research than in clinical work and would eventually like to pursue a PhD position after this.

My extra mile in health: "During this master, I am trying to narrow down the field to have a good grasp for the PhD"

After my bachelor’s in psychology, I was looking for a one-year master’s. Most other universities offer two or three-year programmes. I also had a personal reason to look at Maastricht for my master’s, since my dad is a professor here. My first impressions of the city are the positive vibe and the cute streets with lots of indie cafes. There is an overall friendly, open feeling. The centre is not too big and it’s easy to bike everywhere.

My extra mile in health: "Integrating sports and psychology to improve wellbeing and stress management"

This programme is about learning to understand behaviour, how it occurs and the mechanisms behind it. We are studying practical ways to help people achieve healthier behaviour. For example, breaking bad drinking and unhealthy eating habits or not exercising enough even though we would like to. We look for ways to help people achieve their goals

My extra mile in health: "Stepping out of my comfort zone and to reaching out to new opportunities to develop myself as a researcher and as a person"

In Cognitive Neuroscience we learn about ways to study brain function in relation to cognitive functions, like auditory processes and perception. This master study is very research based, and I hope it will prepare me for my future PhD.

My extra mile in health: "I want to help and inspire motivated and passionate students to take the leap into research and clinical psychology"

This master’s programme focusses on mental disorders, what causes them and what keeps patients from recovering or improving. This programme sets itself apart from others that I have investigated because it combines research and clinical skills. Many of our teachers work as a therapist and researcher. It is unique that we will have the opportunity to do a clinical internship as well as a research internship during the course of this master’s.