A Students Perspective…

Fernanda Mezzomo Collares is a 25 year old student from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.

"When I began my search for a Dutch university, Erasmus impressed me since the beginning. The well organized programs and the always attentive professionals made my decision very easy to make.

Now we are finishing the lectures and I am sure I made the best decision by coming here. Getting to know so much more about Biostatistics and Epidemiology is so important for my career as a doctor and I am glad to see that I can apply my knowledge not only when I graduate or back in college, but right know, when I begin my research project.

For the next upcoming months I intend to work on this project and learn how to improve my skills in this field of medical knowledge. I hope that in the future I can keep on working with research, but combining it with clinical practice, so I can combine the areas I like the most.

My life here in the Netherlands couldn't be more perfect. Rotterdam is an amazing city, very safe and organized, which is something difficult in Brazil. The rainy weather is hard, but the quality of life and the beauty compensates everything. I am very happy to be here!"

A Students Perspective…

Gilson Gabriel Viana Veloso, a 22 year old fifth-year Medicine student at the Pythagoras College in the city of Montes Claros, southeastern Brazil.

"Work with research is something I have done since my first year of Medical School, participating in projects about Metabolic Syndrome, breast cancer, obesity and hypertension, stroke and Infectious diseases. The Science without Borders and the Masters Programme at NIHES has been a great experience so far, since I am learning new courses, new approaches and gaining the chance to work with topics that are still controversial in Medicine.

I plan to use the knowledge I have gained in my future project about cancer at the Erasmus AGE department. Since I want to be an Oncologist, this medical field can offer me more topics to study and research than any other area in the Health Sciences. Despites the specialty, I also have interest in getting my PhD after graduating and becoming a Professor, and the scholarship is one-step closer towards it.

Being away from Brazil for the first time, has given me the opportunity to learn about other cultures, to meet new places and to get more independence as a person. Coming to the Netherlands was one of my smartest choices, giving me the chance to achieve my goals, because now I can study in one of the best Universities of the world and with a worldwide reputation in research."

A Students Perspective…

Laura Pletsch Borba is a 22-year-old medical student, from Porto Alegre, Brazil. She attends Pontifical Catholic University from Rio Grande do Sul, situated in her hometown.

“Having the opportunity of studying in one of the best medical universities from Europe is extremely exciting and for which I am grateful. This experience I am facing at NIHES - Erasmus University is a great opportunity for me to improve my research, epidemiology and statistics skills, as well as learning about another kind of health system and another culture.

As my home university does not offer many research options to their students, this program is extremely important for me. I am going to develop a research project and I am willing to be able to publish it, and, If that is possible, to continue this project in Brazil.

Besides that, I am definitely amazed about Rotterdam. The fact that health system and public transportation work very well here is something that really impresses me. And despite all the rainfall, Rotterdam is still a city full of natural and architectural beauty.”