Enthusiasm for health and people

The trained electrician discovered his enthusiasm for health and people during his civilian service with the Red Cross in Güssing. Since then, he has been involved as a paramedic and rescue driver in the district of Güssing. "The technical work didn't really fulfil me. It was only during my community service that I realised that the medical field really fascinated me. I like working with people and their medical conditions," he explains.

Physiotherapy was an obvious choice of subject for the keen footballer.

Alexander started his degree programme in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. At first, it was very unusual to complete so many courses online, he explains. "However, the UAS quickly found a concept that made practical lessons possible for us." Tests directly before the courses and mandatory FFP2 masks were part of the UAS Burgenland's Safe-FH strategy last year. This enabled attendance at the study centre for teaching units that were difficult to teach online - physiotherapy, for example.

Alexander Gossy describes the exciting mix of medical subjects, anatomy, physiology, practical courses and scientific subjects as the highlight of his degree programme. "The overall concept is very exciting." Over the course of his studies, Alexander completes numerous internships in different areas. "I can't yet say where my career will take me. I'm open, but I can imagine working independently once I have a few years' experience."

Due to the demands of her studies, her work at the Red Cross has decreased. "But I endeavour to take on one to three duties a month, which is easy to combine with my studies."

Alexander would definitely recommend his studies to others.

Working for the Red Cross is also varied: "What I find exciting and motivates me is that when you get up in the morning, you never know what a 12-hour shift will bring." His commitment fulfils him, says Alexander. "Through medicine, I can give back and it's a nice change of pace. After work, you know that you've done something meaningful."