Student experience | Zima’s route: from Mytyl school to university
“I was accepted the way I am.”
Zima is 27 years old, has cerebral palsy and is studying Life Science & Technology at Leiden University. Her school career began at mytyl school. Now she is pursuing university studies. Her story shows how important good support is. It also shows that, with the right help and a lot of perseverance, you can go far.
Study Choice
“When I was young and in mytyl school, I considered nursing,” Zima says. “But physically that wouldn’t be feasible. On my mother’s advice, I started looking at other options that were also in the healthcare field but more suited to my abilities. That’s how I ended up with Biology and Medical Laboratory Research.”
The application process: a challenge to acceptance
The application process was a series of challenges and teachable moments for Zima. At the mbo, she was fortunate to meet a teacher who was willing to give her a chance, despite the doubts of others. “That support was crucial, but there were also less positive experiences,” shares Zima. Like a teacher who did not give her the support she needed and even made her sign a statement saying the school was not responsible if she did not complete her education.
“It was important for me to find an environment where people are open minded”
When applying for her college studies in Biology and Medical Laboratory Research, Zima encountered prejudices that made her decide not to go for her first choice. “It was important for me to find an environment where people were open-minded,” she says. When she applied for the master’s, she encountered different challenges again. But she was willing to take the risk of high student debt. “It’s worth it,” she laughs.
Study support: adaptations that work
“In college I was only given extra time, although in retrospect I think a reading aid would have really helped me a lot.” It wasn’t until she noticed that reading took a lot of her energy that she sought help.
“Leiden University was great in providing support,” Zima says. I was made aware of what opportunities were available. During the vacations, before she started the master’s, she had already contacted the student counselor because she already knew the process. She was told what they could offer her. Initially, she only wanted extra time for exams. After the first period, she noticed that reading tired her a lot, so she didn’t have enough energy for other things. She was also given access to pre-reading software. “They really wanted to get everything right and were always asking for feedback,” she said.
Zima receives support in various forms, such as extra time during exams, reading assistance, and recorded lectures so she can take notes quietly at home. “These modifications make a big difference for me,” she said.
An enriching internship experience
During her college education, Zima did an internship at TU Delft. It was a highlight. “I really felt at home there and I was accepted the way I am. It was a confirmation that I was in the right place.” In the end, she even earned an 8.5 for this internship. This positive experience highlighted the importance of an inclusive work environment.
