Anna enjoyed her work as a psychologist in private practice and as a lecturer at a university in the Netherlands. However, she knew it was time for a new challenge in her career. After months of unsuccessful applications for humanitarian roles, she discovered that QMU offered specialised Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) modules as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. This discovery was a turning point for her. In this Student Story, Anna shares her experiences, the invaluable support she received from her lecturers, and how the course has profoundly shaped her career. It opened doors for her to work with traumatised groups, families and individuals (refugees and internally displaced people) as a Mental Health Specialist in Greece, Iraq and Afghanistan, and she now applies her expertise as a MHPSS consultant for various NGOs.
Why did you choose to study at QMU and what attracted you to the course?
I needed a crash course that would help me prep do the specialised Mental Health and Psychosocial Support work in the humanitarian field - I was applying for NGO jobs for 6 months and did not hear back from any of the roles I had applied for. When I found out that QMU was offering the opportunity to take individual modules from their postgraduate MHPSS course as Continuing Professional Development (CPD), I immediately knew - this is IT!
What did you enjoy most about your course?
"It was so inspiring to have two lecturers with their gigantic amount of experience, I felt super motivated to tune in for the modules and learnings. It turned on my want and longing to do this work even more."
How did your lecturers support your learning?
They were very accessible. I even flew out to Edinburgh after the course to meet Alastair Ager, and I was so
humbled he made time to meet with me! He was very generous, gave me lots of tips, and I swear it
changed the course of my life to follow his suggestions.
What challenges did you face with the course and/or university life? How did you overcome them?
None. I wish the course was longer, and would have loved some face to face or more live elements (even
if online), but also well aware not everyone is in the place to attend those!
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in this course?
If you have an inkling to work in the field of MHPSS in the humanitarian sector, YOU HAVE TO START
HERE!
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS, even if you think they are silly, or the lecturer might judge you. Don’t fear the
unknown, let yourself be fueled by your curiosity and who you desire to become.
Can you tell us about your life after the course?
YES! I decided to leave my comfortable life in Amsterdam, pack my bag and head to Greece to support an
NGO with the influx of refugees. Within 3 weeks of doing that, I was invited by an NGO to do an
interview for the role of PFA Advisor in Afghanistan, got the role, and flew to Jalalabad only two months
after packing my bags in Amsterdam. I am so grateful to QMU, the course, and Rebecca Horn and Alastair for
encouraging me to chase my dreams. Since Afghanistan I’ve worked nonstop in the Middle East on super
interesting and meaningful MHPSS projects and within 5 years I made it to a director role (overseeing
and leading all technical specialists) for an NGO. And now, 8 years later, I’m working as an independent
consultant for NGOs and also help humanitarians online (through 1:1 support and group programs) to
thrive in the field (instead of merely surviving!). I could not have imagined any of this happening before I
joined the course at QMU!
Anything else you’d like to share about life at QMU or as a graduate?
Let QMU and their education and lecturers be your vehicle towards living your dream!
