Especially for the 10th anniversary of SPOTeurope, several former SPOT board members share their experiences. It is very inspiring to read about all these experiences!
Enjoy reading!
Cassandra Christianen
I feel honoured to share about my experiences within SPOTeurope. In the period from February 2018 until October 2021 I have been a part of the platform. At first I was responsible for the developments of miniSPOT’s and later I became (vice) president.
It feels unreal to believe that SPOT has already been ‘alive’ for 10 years!
Looking back to this period gives me a happy and warm feeling; what a wonderful time it was; I was privileged to network on an international level and be present at conferences. However, SPOTeurope was at that time also a hard-working group of students who were dedicated to bring the platform to a higher level. This meant regular online meetings to discuss strategy and events.
One of the most impactful achievements SPOTeurope has achieved when I was a member, was the addition of a student board member in the ENOTHE board. As SPOTeurope, we represent the needs of OT students and connecting the students to the ENOTHE board filled up this gap.
I wish SPOT, and its members, fruitful development in the upcoming year.
Thank you.
Vanessa Heinrich
Being part of SPOTeurope has had a lasting impact on both my personal and professional life. I look back with gratitude on the experiences and friendships I gained and on the inspiring teamwork that showed me the importance of being passionate about a cause and working together to make a difference.
A special highlight for me was when students acquired a place on the ENOTHE Board. I’ll never forget the pride we students felt knowing our voices were represented. Other memorable moments included several online and face-to-face meetings with students and lecturers from around the world. I carry these experiences with me and hope that SPOTeurope continues to inspire for many years to come!
Marlies Nijenhuis – founder of SPOTeurope
It’s amazing to celebrate SPOTeurope’s 10th anniversary. Back in the day, I would not have dared to dream about how SPOTeurope is doing now and that it’s still growing and developing. It makes me very proud. SPOTeurope still has a significant and lasting impact on my life. It enabled me to grow personally and professionally. And I’ve met so many amazing people over the years! Some of them are friends for life.
I will never forget the moment during the ENOTHE meeting @Zagreb in 2017. Charlotte and I were doing a presentation at the end of the conference in front of all the attendees. Before the presentation, we had agreed with all students to make a stand. At the end of our presentation, all student rose from their seats. We showed the attendants and especially the ENOTHE board a strong message: ‘Nothing about us without us’. This was such a powerful moment and I’ll never forget the impact we had. The impact you, the current students, still have! Keep up doing the good work, students are the future!
Bruna Bastos
Being part of SPOTEurope was an invaluable experience, providing the opportunity to connect with occupational therapy students and professionals from various countries, which fostered a rich exchange of knowledge and cultural perspectives. This international collaboration deepened my understanding of the global landscape of occupational therapy and helped me feel more connected to our professional community.
During my time on the team, I developed essential skills in managing social media, organizing events, and supporting a motivated group, which were invaluable for building effective communication and engagement strategies for my daily life. Presenting on
the topic, “The Role of Occupational Therapy Students in Higher Education” not only encouraged reflection on student contributions but also paved the way for the current SPOTEurope team to initiate a research project to further explore this crucial issue. This experience greatly contributed to my personal and professional growth.
Vanessa Rozalina
Congratulations to SPOTeurope on its 10th anniversary!
It was an honor to serve as the second student board member of SPOTeurope and ENOTHE from 2021 to 2023. This role allowed me to grow both personally and professionally while representing students on an international stage. The experience taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork, and using my voice to contribute to meaningful causes and projects that shape the future of occupational therapy.
There were many moments I cherish during my time as a student board member. These include joining the ENOTHE Tuning Task Force, hosting a workshop in Tbilisi, collaborating with other miniSPOTs, and having the face-to-face team meetings with the whole SPOT team. However, one of my proudest moments was supporting SPOTeurope’s first student keynote speaker at the ENOTHE Annual Meeting in Tbilisi. This achievement was a significant milestone for SPOTeurope, demonstrating the power of student representation and collaboration.
My time with SPOTeurope shaped who I am today. It connected me with inspiring individuals whose friendships I deeply cherish and with whom I still stay in touch. These connections, along with the experiences I gained, deepened my passion for occupational therapy.
To the current SPOT members: keep building and never underestimate the difference you can make together.
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