Who am I?
Background
Though I was born in The Netherlands and am a Dutch National, I spent the first half of my life living abroad, mostly in Asia. I was brought up in a multi-lingual home and always attended English language international schools, where I was surrounded by a wide range of nationalities and diversity in cultural backgrounds. Upon completion of high school, I briefly studied at the Royal Art Academy in Brussels. However, my journey took me to Leiden, where I earned a double BA in Psychology and International Relations from Webster University. I subsequently wrote a proposal for an Independent Masters Degree in Political Psychology at the University of Leiden, which I completed cum laude in 1996. By this time my passion for learning was in full force and set my next academic goal. Obtaining a Ph.D.
Having worked as a researcher in at various departments of different Dutch universities, I finally settled down at the University of Groningen to write my doctorate dissertation (see Table of Contents) in Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology. It was a long trajectory characterized by hard work, interuptions, and many setbacks. Writing my dissertation was a wonderful brain exercise, enabling me to explore the range of my cognitive capacities. However, it was also a struggle, and I was plagued by questions like: How long do I continue this trajectory? Is this costing me (and my family) too much? What am I doing it for? I managed to pull myself through mostly because I stayed close to my sense of self, true to my feelings, from which I ultimately drew my strength.
What does this say about me?
I’m not mainstream, though I have worked in regular (academic) settings. I thus have a wealth of experience in searching for alternative means of attaining goals and effectuating personal development, both of which I hold in high esteem. I am driven to excel, to improve myself without competing with others, my frame of reference being myself. I do what I do because I want to, I like to and because I can do it, not bound by restrictions of what I ‘ought to’ do or what is ‘expected’ of me.
It is perhaps inherent to the Dutch mentality of mediocrity, that striving for excellence here means going against the stream. It is not always the easy way to do things, but staying true to yourself does give the most satisfaction. Moreover, this means that your passion will drive you, thereby heightening achievement.
The main theme in my life?
I can honestly say that, as a perfectionist, I strive for excellence in everything that I do. Since childhood this has meant doing things my way, often different to the norm, which has enabled me to stay true to myself in the choices that I have made. From that flows my integrity, my accountability and my passion. With the combination of qualities, and the strength of character to go my own way, I have enhanced my will power, essential in an environment generally not achievement oriented.
I would like to support others in their struggles, often characteristic of (impending) transitions. Though the answers you may find may not always be ‘nice’ to hear, as long as they are real answers to really relevant questions, they will carry the most weight. Consequently, whether you decide to continue on the same developmental/learning trajectory, or you decide to change your path, knowing why you made that decision will help you follow through on it, enlisting necessary support, and living with some of the less pleasant consequences of your choices.
Raphaela M. Carrière, Ph.D.
For more information on my professional background follow the links below.