Have you always been interested in science?
“Life sciences touch every area of our existence, from health care to the environment to advancement in medicine. It’s been my dream since childhood to study in the UK and I am delighted that I could continue my education and study MSc Pharmaceutical and Analytical Science at Edinburgh Napier University.”
What was your university experience like?
“Edinburgh Napier gave me the opportunity to see the world, make friends, and experience new cultures, whilst developing my international knowledge and skills.
“At first, I would get anxious about attending events alone, but I am so glad I did because it helped me make new friends from different countries and cultures. On Thanksgiving, I learned about the importance of gratitude, love and community at a dinner with classmates.
“In one sentence, I can say ENU is the best place for international students to gain valuable knowledge and skills with affordable tuition fees and living expenses.”
What was your first graduate role?
“In my final semester at university I got a part-time job as a Biorepository Associate at health information technology and research company, IQVIA. After I graduated in 2022, I was promoted to Associate Scientist – Flow Cytometry at the organisation and currently hold that role.”
Tell us more about your job!
“I am responsible for performing and documenting analytical procedures in accordance with SOPs and regulatory guidelines. I perform routine data analysis to determine if an analytical procedure is proceeding according to expectations and that the results are within an acceptable range.”
What does the future hold?
“I want to continue developing my skills in research and data analysis and eventually become a lead scientist on projects.“
Have you ever faced any challenges?
“It was difficult when I first moved to Edinburgh. I had never lived away from home before, and I experienced severe homesickness. I managed to overcome this by connecting with people from my class, accommodation and campus.
“The volume of work was also challenging. It was a big difference compared to my previous bachelor's and master's degrees and standards were also much higher.
“I tackled this by joining study groups, getting advice from my professors on where to focus my attention, and I created a structured schedule to make sure I was putting in the required study time. Because of this, I successfully completed my Masters degree, even though I was working a part-time job at the same time.”
What advice would you give to someone wishing to follow in your footsteps?
- Even if you are struggling, be disciplined. Set yourself a goal to attain.
- When you truly want success, you will never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.
- Never stop learning and growing as a person.
- Mistakes are meant to be made. Take risks and see mistakes as learning opportunities, not things to be avoided at all costs.
- If you don’t know something, just ASK!!! As an international student, it is completely normal to be unsure about certain aspects of your life in a new country. Reach out to your university’s international student team, an advisor, or a university official as they can provide you with firsthand information and can help you find answers.
- Build a strong network of support.
- Leaving everything behind and going to a new country can be daunting. When you first arrive, it might feel more comfortable connecting with people from the same background and culture as yours, especially if you are feeling homesick. But try and be present in your new country and embrace stepping outside of what you know. Make the most of what is in front of you - even if that just means turning off Netflix, leaving your room, and going for a walk. I loved taking long walks to Newhaven Harbour. Sitting by the water would help calm my nerves and bring me peace.
- Learn about other cultures by spending time with an international crowd.