‘What the hell do I have to do with cows?’. Not an uncommon thought for someone from the city who goes to work at a farm for the first time. A lot can change, however, in just a few years.
"I like to work with animals, sometimes I understand them better than people. When I was four I started riding horses and I always had a love for dogs and cats. My love for somewhat bigger animals all started with an internship at a farm during the mbo study animal care. Five weeks internally and as a hand-of-everything working in the stables every day. The splatters of manure flew around my ears, but I loved it. From then on I knew for sure: I want to work with livestock! "
And so, the search started for a study that fits in with that. 21-year-old Amarens found just that at the HAS in Venlo, where she is currently in the second year of Business Management in Agriculture & Food. "Of course, it had to be something in agriculture and this study was the most complete. It is with animals, management and even in English. Particularly the management section is important, I dont want to immediately enter the professional livestock industry, but I want to do something with sustainability, consultancy or research. That is why this study is perfect! "
The choice for Venlo meant that the Friesian had to leave her hometown of Leeuwarden. A whole step and not just in kilometers. "I brought my horse to a stable here, which helped. But it's really a big cultural difference. Carnival, for example, is not for most people I know from Friesland. Fun to experience, but I'd rather go to the Sneekweek. '
Do you dream, just like Amarens, of a future in (international) farm management? Check out the possibilities here.
"Whether I want to stay here after my studies? Why not, it mainly depends on whether I can find a nice job. Preferably abroad, by the way, because you don't study International Farm Management to stay in the Netherlands. My dream is to work in Canada some day, I lost my heart to that country. "
An prospective international career, but for the time being, Amarens is happy to be in Venlo. She's gotten used to the splatters of manure, only thing left is the carnival.
Vicky from Argentina is following the master Health Food Innovation Management in Venlo
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