Lukas Panayotopoulos

In what way did you experience at IBSB help to shape you into the person you are today?

The teachers at IBSB, especially the science department teachers, prepared me for university, and gave me a lot of knowledge that has been useful in starting my medical degree. Additionally, the encouragement of voluntary work and job experience also made me appreciate the importance of these aspects in society, therefore during my studies I have also done some volunteering in nursing homes and working as a nurse next to my study.

Please provide a brief description of some of your treasured memories from your time at IBSB

What I have always enjoyed most was being at the science department, to talk to all the science teachers (Ms. Senzaconi, Ms. Bajenaru, Ms. Loredana, Mr. Nastase, Ms. Anna), and to talk about all kinds of topics.

I also enjoyed the football tournament in which we took part with Mr. Ciprian Iacob at the the end of the year.

Which IBSB teachers stand out as having a positive impact on your education?

The teachers that had the biggest positive impact on my education include Ms. Senzaconi, who was teaching me biology but also always provides a listening ear for any general struggles, and Ms. Laura Bajenaru, who has taught me everything about chemistry and how to effectively study for the A levels, as well as offering me experience in research by helping her out in her research studies. In addition to that, my tutors were also very involved and helpful, where with Ms. Johanna Croci I also really enjoyed her involvement in the volunteering work of learning Romanian sign language and going to the deaf school nearby to do activities with the childen, and Ms. Jayne Baker for helping me out with my motivational letter for university application and other university enquiries.

What skills developed at IBSB proved most useful post-graduation?

The most useful skills I have developed include the skill of collaborating (as in the volunteering), the skill of being a scholar with respect to learning and motivation to learn in biology and chemistry, and a communicator based on university application.

What subjects did you study at A Level?

I studied biology, chemistry, and mathematics (with statistics)

Which University/Universities did you graduate from/will your graduate from? What Degree/s did you receive/will you receive?

I am currently in my final year of the bachelor’s in medicine (year 3) at Maastricht university, and I will continue with the master’s in medicine from September onwards for another three years at Maastricht and nearby hospitals (south region of the Netherlands).

What are you doing now?

I am currently doing my final exams of the bachelor, under online corona procedures, and hope to start my internships in the hospital in September. Meanwhile I am also still working as a First Aid worker, and I will hopefully also get a part-time job as a trainee at a GP office in Maastricht.