Studies: Physiotherapy
Native Country: Norway
Loves: sport and reading
Hates: salted dried fish (traditional Norwegian food)
What do you think of Netherlands?
‘I like it here, people are nice and friendly, and the Dutch are tall. This country suits me, the city is great. It does not feel strange to be here, it is not much different from other places.’
What is the main difference between the Netherlands and Norway?
‘The landscape, the Netherlands is very flat, there are no mountains.
Why did you come to Groningen?
‘I wanted to study Physiotherapy and it is hard to be admitted to the programme in Norway. That is easier in the Netherlands. It took me a year to get here. I did not feel ready to go abroad so I did a year of ‘fun school’ of skiing and rock climbing. Fun school is a place you can study something you are interested in like different sports, music or theatre. It is quite popular in Norway. And I chose Groningen because my mom’s boss studied in Groningen and his daughter has a family here now. They told me about Groningen and it is great to have somebody you know close to you.’
Why Physiotherapy?
‘I think because of the way I grew up. My mom is working in health care and I am interested in sports. All the practical parts drew me in. I think it’s interesting how the human body works and is affected by diseases.’
Could you describe your study?
‘First of all you cannot be shy, because we often have to get undressed in classes and we touch each other to feel the muscles. A physiotherapist has to know how the patient feels and ask questions. So it is good to have practices like this.’We also have to do exercises and learn how to treat different injuries.
Do you have a motto in life?
‘It is a Norway saying and in English it would be something like: Smile to the world and the world smiles back’.
By Elina Kisiele
Source: Hanze Mag