LOUGHBOROUGH IS REALLY DIVERSE
Leaving home and travelling across the Atlantic to come and study in the UK I wanted to make sure I was choosing the best place possible to study. I spent 4 months researching the rankings of the course and university as well as the location in terms of travelling within Europe. My first impressions of the Loughborough campus upon arrival was that it was very pretty and reminded me of home, coming from a small town myself.
The professors here at Loughborough are incredibly passionate about their subject areas and this helps motivate the students in class particularly when the professors are referencing their own research. Our very first lecture was by Professor Clyde Williams, he has a building named after him on campus – so is a pretty big deal in Sports Science!
The other aspect of my course (MSc Exercise Physiology) I really enjoy is the fact that we are taught by different Professors specialising in their subject area, rather than one professor covering lots of subjects. I am also very impressed by the safety of the campus, with 24 hour security and being located near to a small town I feel very safe walking around at night. Plus the facilities on the campus mean everything is accessible; a medical centre, pharmacy, dentist, opticians and hairdressers all on campus – alongside shops and restaurants. I can also get my grocery shopping delivered to my accommodation which is great!
When I first moved into my hall of residence I was pleased to see that Loughborough University is really diverse – all of my 7 roommates come from different countries and are studying different degrees, this has really helped me to make friends outside of my course.
I FEEL VALUED AS A STUDENT
Having spent some of my childhood in Leicestershire, I knew of Loughborough as being the best University for Sports Science in the UK and was keen to come and study my master's here. Knowing the course was only 1 year was a major positive and when costing out my education in the UK versus Canada, they were relatively the same.
Having the opportunity to work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes was a major draw for me too, and knowing the University has world class facilities and close links with top sporting bodies in the UK, I was keen to be able to combine the research/academic side with the expertise of world class sporting bodies.
After getting my offer for Loughborough 48 hrs after I submitted my application I was super impressed with the processes at the University.
On arrival, I was pleased to find out that both in my accommodation and on my course there is a diverse range of nationalities. We have a cohort of 16 students on my course and probably 5 are British and the rest is a mixture of Canadian, American, French, Greek, Thai etc.
My course also has amazing professors who really make me feel more supported than I did in my Bachelor’s degree in Canada – the Professors are a lot more accessible and open to conversation.
My best description of life at Loughborough would be that I feel valued; as a student, as part of the community, part of my course, part of my accommodation and also as a part of the 6-a-side football team I joined and the intramural sports I get involved with for my halls of residence.
