Hi i'm Anna
I'm a neuroscientist, researcher, and student mentor with a passion for helping students find their own direction.
My own academic journey has been shaped by exploring different paths, embracing new opportunities, and discovering where my interests could take me. I started in Biomedical Sciences and continued into Neuroscience, gradually discovering which areas interested me most and where I wanted my studies to take me. I learned along the way that making the right choices is rarely about having everything figured out from the beginning. Sometimes, all you need is the right guidance, opportunities, and encouragement to find your path.
That experience is at the heart of The Anna Compass: helping students navigate their own path, one step at a time. ❤️
An International Academic Journey
Studying and working in different academic environments has played an important role in shaping who I am today.
My journey has taken me from the Netherlands to research opportunities in Switzerland and Belgium, where I have had the chance to work with students and researchers from a variety of backgrounds. As a neuroscientist, I have experienced academic life from various angles, including as a student, researcher, mentor and supervisor.
These experiences have taught me much more than science. I have learned how to find opportunities, build an academic network, adapt to unfamiliar environments and persevere when things do not go according to plan.
They have also shown me just how much of a difference the right person or piece of advice can make at the right moment🍀
Why I Created The Anna Compass
Over the years, I have noticed that many students have questions that go far beyond what they learn in the classroom.
Which subject should I study? How do I organise everything? How do I find an internship abroad? Is this opportunity realistic for me? How do I write a strong application? What do I actually want to do after university?
Finding the answers to these questions can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you do not know where to start.
I created The Anna Compass to make that process easier.
It is a place where students can receive personalized, practical guidance on their studies, planning, academic choices, international opportunities and preparation for the future.
I won't choose your path for you. Instead, I'll help you explore the possibilities, create a plan and find the path that feels right for you.
Your journey is yours, sometimes you just need a compass.🌹