'Physiotherapy lets you change people’s lives for the better every day'

Laura Vandervennet is a French-American student from the United States. She moved to Groningen and began her studies at the age of 18. Laura is currently in her third year of the Physiotherapy programme.

‘I chose physiotherapy in Groningen because I wanted to be in an international setting, discover a new country and culture. I read that the programme had a great reputation, especially for working internationally, and after attending an open day, I decided it was the best programme for me. The programme is very hands-on, with multiple practical lessons per week as well as internships starting in the first year. This is a great opportunity for students to be in the clinic very early on, and be able to practise skills with real patients. I have no regrets studying Physiotherapy in Groningen!’

Exploring what I love most

‘The subjects and courses I have enjoyed the most so far have been the anatomy classes, the central neurology unit and the minor in paediatrics. I enjoyed the anatomy classes because they were always hands on and teachers made it fun to learn about the muscles and bones in the body. I enjoyed the central neurology unit, because it made me think in different ways and that is something I’m interested in. Finally, the paediatrics minor I enjoyed the most because my dream is to work with kids, and the minor offers a different branch of physiotherapy, something that is not covered at all during the first two years of the study.’

Positive impact

'I have always been someone who loves to help others and have a positive impact on the community. When I was 11 years old, my school had a careers fair to learn about different jobs we might not have heard of before. A physiotherapist came and taught us about her job, what she does, and how she has such a positive impact on helping people get better and feel like themselves again. Following this, I took anatomy classes in high school and fell in love with learning about the human body and how it all works together. These two moments were like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together, and led me to decide that I wanted to become a physical therapist myself in the future.'

Groningen: the right choice for me

‘Groningen is a very international and student friendly city. Making friends is really easy! There are so many things to do during free time and weekends. There are also many different places to study. Whether you want a quiet library or a cafe to be able to chat with friends, study spots are available all over the city. Outside of school hours and studying, I enjoy doing some workout classes at ACLO or spending time with friends. Overall, Groningen is a lovely city for students!’

Making a difference

‘Physiotherapy is a wonderful programme and a great field to work in, with lots of different options. A piece of advice I would give is to be super open and think outside the box, as nothing is black and white in physiotherapy. This course makes you think a lot and can be tough at times, but in the end, you’re rewarded with a career in which you change people’s lives every day for the better.’