Laura Golenia, Germany

Coming to Groningen = Staying in Groningen
Eight years ago, in 2010, I was advised to go to Groningen if I wanted to study Human Movement Sciences at a leading University. The Bachelor Human Movement Sciences is taught in Dutch, but I did not hesitate, learned Dutch in a one-month summer course and started with the Bachelor. Of course, in the beginning of the first semester I was not yet able to communicate efficiently, but the staff of the University of Groningen (UG), the academic staff of Human Movement Sciences, and the other students supported me and helped me, so that I became acclimated and integrated very quickly and easily. During my Bachelor studies, I experienced that coming to Groningen was an excellent choice. The UG provides a wide range of great opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning such as the Honors College supports its students with well-equipped study facilities and offers high-quality education with great focus on academic research. That is why I stayed and continued studying the Master Human Movement Sciences at the UG. A remarkable aspect of the UG is that there are always prospects to develop further. For me, it was the Master-PhD program, which gave me the opportunity to focus more on research and to write my own research proposal for a PhD trajectory. My proposal was approved and I stayed another 3 years in Groningen. Looking back, the UG has provided me with unique skills, core knowledge, and comprehensive understanding of my field of expertise, which will be the foundation for my future career.

Er gaat niets boven Groningen, Nothing tops Groningen
For the past eight years, Groningen has been a warmhearted home for me. I love the welcoming and vibrant atmosphere of the city. Everything is within reachable distance by bicycle. There are plenty of enjoyable caf é s, bars and restaurants, there is always something going on, ranging from music festivals and theater plays on boats, to whiskey festivals.

Biography
Laura graduated from the University of Groningen with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Human Movement Sciences. Currently, she is completing a PhD trajectory in Motor Control and Motor Development at the Department of Human Movement Sciences at the University of Groningen. She collaborated with researchers from the Psychology Department of the New York University and therefore spent several months during her PhD in New York. Parallel to her research work, she taught a Bachelor class and supervised and mentored Bachelor and Master students during their graduation project. Laura will defend her PhD thesis in the fall of 2018.