Marianne Durocher

What appealed to you about Northumbria University?

I was living in Gateshead and was looking for a course related to physiotherapy close to my home. Northumbria was the closest.

What was it about the course that particularly appealed?

The topic of this course was particularly interesting and it was the only physiotherapy related course I was able to apply for. As the HPC did not recognise my French Physiotherapy Degree I wanted to study a course enabling me to work in England and to complete my physiotherapy background.

What qualifications did you have?

I have a French Physiotherapy degree with eight years of practice.

How did you feel during your first week at Northumbria?

was really excited, but also scared not to be able to understand the lecturers or be good enough for the assignments. After the first week I was glad to see everything was going well.

What do you like most about the course?

I like the opportunity we have to practise with a lot of different equipment. We also have a complete approach, with theory (in physiology but also in psychology) and real life experimentation.

Can you give an example of a piece of work you’ve been involved with recently?

We conducted a Health Promotion Campaign about physical activity and cholesterol, and provided free cholesterol tests and advice during an open day supported by the sports and life sciences department.

I am currently involved in a study (for my master dissertation) that requires me to learn new skills and allows me access to new equipment. I am still in an intensive work process that illustrates well my entire year at Northumbria University.

I use the library a lot for the previously cited pieces of work as well as the assignments I have had to submit during the course. The resources provided are brilliant and easy to access, and the interlibrary loan service works very well.

What do you like about Newcastle?

The great thing about Newcastle is that here I can do a lot of things I was not able to do in France because they were not available or too expensive. The city is brilliant and the surroundings are also worth travelling around. There is always something to do for free or at least for a really affordable cost. The city has a human size and is really attractive and animated with everything you can ask for.

What do you do when you’re not studying?

I am a member of Team Northumbria and play volleyball.

I enjoy shopping in the city centre or at the Metro Centre and sometimes go out at night.

I like walking or cycling on the Quayside, on the seashore and in the countryside.

I also take guitar adult learning lessons in a community centre and I am planning to do the same for Japanese lessons next year.

At home I like cooking, making cards and sewing for my family and friends.

What’s your accommodation like?

I live in a furnished apartment in Gateshead with my partner and my cat.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

The HPC finally told me I could do four months adaptation internship to be registered as a physiotherapist in England. Therefore I don’t know what to do, waiting again to work as a physio or working as a clinical exercise physiologist. It will depend on the work opportunity I guess.