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For the first time in the history of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, students with a previous education in Animal Sciences (AS) from Wageningen ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ & Research (WUR) started in the Master's programme in Veterinary Medicine this academic year. In this way, the faculty realizes a more diverse student population and thus promotes broad employability of newly graduated veterinarians. Jolien ten Brinke is one of the first students who ventured from Wageningen to our faculty. We spoke with her about her motivation, experiences to date and plans for the future.

Terschelling

"At the time I consciously chose the bachelor program Animal Sciences in Wageningen because it is a very diverse program and you can go in all directions", says Jolien. "During an internship at a sheep farm on Terschelling I discovered that I wanted to be more practical and wanted to be among animals. A friend who studies Veterinary Medicine tipped me off about the new possibility of enrolling in the master's program in Veterinary Medicine."

Study Material

In order to be admitted to the master's in Veterinary Medicine (in Dutch), students from Wageningen first follow some preparatory courses in the form of a minor called ''. Jolien: "Super fun! We immediately applied the theory in practice, for example by doing research on animals. It was very busy. The teachers were very enthusiastic in passing on their knowledge and expertise, but sometimes it seemed like three years of study material had to be done in half a year. This did teach me to ask myself questions, such as: What is really important? What is an a secondary matter? I think the minor in that sense prepares you well for the master."

Perspective

Jolien started the master in Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2021. Jolien: "I am really enjoying it and learning every day." With her background in Animal Sciences, she brings a different perspective to the program. About this, Jolien says: "The study of Animal Sciences has taught me a lot about farm management. I have learned to look at the entire picture, including nutrition or housing. The focus of students with a previous education in Veterinary Sciences is mainly on the animal itself. They know more about disease theory and clinical argumentation goes better for them because they have had longer to master it." When asked if she has an example where her expertise came in handy, Jolien answers, "When taking an anamnesis on a cow with udder inflammation, the farmer noted that the farm had been suffering from a bacterium for years. The latter may be related to the management of the farm. In working out the case in our small working group, I was able to come up with other solutions to the farmer's problem."

Into practice

How do you see your future? Jolien: "I don't know exactly what I will do after the master's in Veterinary Medicine. I think I will go into practice and next to that I want to do something else, for example in education."

Tekst: Renske Belt

Beeld: Bas Niemans