How and why does someone who starts out by being a student in human nutrition end up working with methane and dairy cows? The answer is: the temptation of the unique two-year Erasmus Mundus double degree programme in Sustainable Animal Nutrition and Feeding. This programme allows students to earn a joint master degree by studying at two different European universities.

26-year-old Dana Olijhoek from the Netherlands is the first of Aarhus University’s Master of Science graduates in the relatively new Erasmus Mundus double degree programme in Sustainable Animal Nutrition and Feeding. She graduated from the programme in August 2014 and after a few months embarked on PhD studies in dairy cattle nutrition at AU Foulum at Aarhus University.

From humans to zebras to cows

Animal nutrition was, however, not in the stars when Dana Olijhoek began her studies back home in the Netherlands. Here she had set out on a path in the field of human nutrition. 

- I took a Bachelor of Health Care in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. During my internship at Rotterdam Zoo I discovered that I was even more interested in working with animals, Dana Olijhoek explains.

Because of her interest in animal nutrition, Dana Olijhoek wrote her bachelor thesis on the subject of zebra nutrition and then took pre-master courses at Wageningen University with the intention of following the regular master programme in Animal Science.

- I heard about the double degree master programme in sustainable animal nutrition through a student advisor at the University of Wageningen. The student advisor also happens to be the coordinator of this particular programme, Dana Olijhoek says.

Studying in a foreign country

The description of the programme inspired Dana Olijhoek to take the plunge and leave the security of home ground for a foreign country, after having taken a few supplementary courses in Wageningen that could qualify her for taking a master degree in animal nutrition.   

For Dana Olijhoek, the appeal of the double degree programme was not only that it involves animals, but also that it involves two universities in two different countries.

- I think this is quite outstanding and different from most other degree programmes. I like the focus that is placed on sustainability and the relation to the environment and I believe that this unique double degree can improve my potential on the job market. It was a difficult decision to leave my country, but I am really happy that I chose this programme. It is a good programme, in which you learn a lot. 

Unique programme opens doors

Her advice to other students considering this programme is to go for it!

- It is a really good opportunity to meet new people and different cultures. Once you have a fulltime job you will not necessarily have this kind of opportunity, she says.

Dana Olijhoek is now busy learning Danish and working on a PhD in feed efficiency and methane production in dairy cows. After that, who knows? At least homesickness is not a problem.

- Maybe I can continue to stay in Denmark and do a postdoc her. I like Denmark, the people are nice, friendly and helpful, and Denmark is a nice and quiet country.­

More information

The Erasmus Mundus double degree programme in Master of Science in Sustainable Animal Nutrition and Feeding is offered at four leading universities in Europe: Aarhus University in Denmark, Wageningen University in the Netherlands, University of Debrecen in Hungary and EI Purpan in France. Read more about the programme here and.

For more information please contact:

International Coordinator Mette Glerup Thomsen
ST Research and External Relations, Aarhus University
E-mail: mgt@au.dk
Telephone: +45 8715 1197
Mobile: +45 2331 2148