From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with orientation programmes that introduced me to the campus, the city and the academic expectations. The international office was incredibly helpful in providing guidance on everything from visa requirements to finding accommodation, which alleviated a lot of the initial stress.
Academically, the transition was eased by the approachable and supportive faculty members who were always available to help. The diverse student community also played a big role in making me feel at home, as I connected with peers from all over the world, sharing experiences and learning together. Overall, while the transition to a new country and University had its challenges, the support and resources provided by Loughborough University made it a positive and enriching experience.
As part of my MSc programme, I completed a 50-hour Micro-Internship at Excitation and Engineering Services (EES) as a Business Development intern. This opportunity allowed me to learn valuable industry software tools, as well as apply my academic knowledge in a professional setting. I also developed essential project management and market analysis skills, whilst participating in strategic planning sessions. This exposure to the renewable energy sector has enhanced my readiness to undertake industry challenges in the future.
During my Micro-Internship, I encountered several challenges, which included navigating complex engineering projects with limited prior experience in the field. To overcome this, I proactively sought guidance from my colleagues, conducted thorough research, and utilised the resources available to build a solid understanding of the tasks at hand. Another challenge was managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously which required me to hone my time management and organisational skills. I addressed this by prioritising tasks, setting clear goals, as well as using project management tools to keep track of deadlines and progress. Through these experiences, I developed my problem-solving skills and learned to adapt to new situations.
The most rewarding part of the Micro-Internship was the opportunity to contribute to real-world business strategy projects and see the tangible impact of my work. It was particularly fulfilling to see how my contributions were integrated into EES’s broader business objectives and how they helped shape the company’s approach to new market opportunities.