The Health Psychology & Digital Interventions master degree focuses on how we can apply technological innovations to solve current health issues. It's a new master that was launched in corona time. How did students experience that? Julie Landsman-Gerjoi (28) obtained her bachelor degree in Sociology in Boston (USA) and deliberately chose this master degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam because of her specific interest. "I find it interesting how you can apply digital technologies to improve healthcare."
She comes from a travel-hungry family, so pursuing a master degree abroad was on her wish list from an early age. She did extensive research into various master programmes in different countries and eventually chose Rotterdam because of its ‘excellent-quality international programme in a relatively small setting'. Julie: "That helps in getting to know your fellow students. The direct link to practice also appealed to me. The various guest lectures and my internship helped me a lot. I find the combination of practice and excellent student counselling very powerful."
Red Cross
During her master, Julie did an internship at the Red Cross. She conducted research on the mental health of youth with psychosocial needs. By doing research in the field, she learned how the Dutch healthcare system works. Julie: "You can find a lot on the internet, but by actually talking to people and seeing caregivers at work, you learn a lot more." Julie is surprised how well healthcare is organised in the Netherlands. If you are a young person with serious problems, good healthcare is available. Yet during her internship she also discovered a downside: "If you have a serious problem, hopefully as a young person you find your way to people who are close to you, for example your teacher or mentor at school. And that's good. But if you get stuck at that point, it can also get in the way of professional help. If we want to keep even more young people vital, there is still room for improvement. For example, by training healthcare professionals and teaching other professionals how to refer when necessary."
Homesick
While she learned to find her way in the Dutch healthcare system during her internship, finding her way as a student was not easy for Julie. The lack of physical contact with fellow students was hard for her during the corona pandemic. "It's hard when you come to the Netherlands when everything is closed. Especially in the spring, when the doors opened again for my friends and family in America, I felt homesick..." On the other hand, it helped that everyone in the Netherlands was dealing with the same situation. The lockdown even made it easier for Julie at times. Smiling: "In a quiet shop, you have more time and space to discover how everything works."
The best version of yourself
Now that her studies are almost complete, Julie is also looking ahead, although she has not yet decided where she would like to work. "I want to stay here in the Netherlands first. I haven't really had the chance to see Holland yet. So when we are 'open' again, it's time for a short break as far as I'm concerned." What she does know is that she wants to do something that will have an impact on other people's happiness. She is convinced that if you understand your own behaviour better, it becomes easier to change unwanted behaviour. Julie: "I want to do something that matters. Helping people become the best version of themselves."