Laurel Chan
International student, Placement student
- Course
- Sports Technology MEng
- Subject area
- Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
I chose Loughborough University because of its Sports Technology degree, which perfectly combined my interests in sport and engineering. At the time, the course was offered by only a small number of Universities. I was impressed by the Sports Technology Institute’s leading facilities, its strong industry collaborations and the way its research has a direct impact on sport. Also, the opportunity to represent Loughborough through its football team was a bonus.
As an international student, my transition to University was relatively smooth. Having attended boarding school in Florida for the final two years of high school, I was already comfortable living away from home and being independent. My main adjustment was adapting to the cultural differences. Joining the Loughborough football team helped me settle in quickly, allowing me to meet people with similar interests and connect with the wider Loughborough community. Living in Royce, a catered hall, also enhanced my experience. I was fortunate to meet a great group of flatmates and we quickly became close through Freshers' activities and shared meals. I ended up living with some of them as well.
This Sports Technology degree provides opportunities to collaborate with other students on industry-relevant projects. Through these experiences, I have developed an appreciation for multiple perspectives, recognising that there is rarely a single “right” solution and that outcomes are often context dependent. This has made me more open-minded, adaptable and considered in my approach to sports industry challenges, while strengthening my ability to communicate ideas effectively. One of my favorite aspects of the course was the opportunity to use a wide range of industry-relevant equipment, such as motion capture systems, material testing machines, force plates and a bespoke kicking robot, to solve engineering problems in my projects. We also frequently delivered presentations to academics, industry partners and other stakeholders. This improved my confidence in public speaking and strengthened my ability to communicate technical information effectively to different audiences.
A highlight of my degree was undertaking a placement at PING, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. PING has a long-standing relationship with Loughborough University and the Sports Technology Institute, demonstrated by its on-campus performance and research facilities. Many Loughborough students have completed placements with PING and several have joined the company after graduating.
When the placement opportunity at PING was advertised, I received excellent support from Loughborough throughout the application process. My academic tutor provided valuable feedback on my CV and cover letter, whilst a mock assessment centre organised by the Careers Network helped me develop my interview skills and build confidence.
After securing the placement, the Wolfson Placement Team provided invaluable support. As the placement was overseas, they assisted with my visa application, health and safety requirements and provided guidance on working abroad. They also introduced me to the Turing Scheme, where I successfully secured additional funding to support my international placement.
I quickly adapted to life in Phoenix, balancing my work as an Analysis and Testing Intern with participation in the local football community, which helped me build connections outside of work. I also received support from Phoenix based family friends, PING colleagues and staff at Loughborough, which helped make the transition to living and working abroad a smooth and rewarding experience. In my role, I was directly involved in the sports product development process. From reviewing current scientific research through to idea creation, design and manufacture. I also worked to improve the efficiency and capability of golf club testing by using a range of test methods to evaluate product performance, conformance and durability. I gained valuable insight into the full product development process through hands-on experiences on the production line and visits to casting facilities. These experiences showed me how decisions must balance technical performance with manufacturing constraints and commercial priorities. I also learned to play golf, which enhanced my appreciation and understanding of the sector I was working in.
Although living and working abroad was initially daunting, it helped me build confidence, independence and a strong professional network. I will always value the people I met and the experiences I gained. The placement provided valuable industry experience and developed my technical, organisational and stakeholder management skills. Working across multiple engineering teams strengthened my collaboration, communication and critical thinking, while giving me hands-on experience with CAD, programming software and product and process improvement.
Next I would like to pursue a PhD to further develop my research expertise before moving into the sports equipment industry, specifically footwear research and development. My interest began with a fascination for football boots and their performance-focused design and later evolved into a passion for injury prevention following several foot and ankle injuries during high school. During my degree, I completed footwear-related projects exploring the effect of golf shoes on female golfers' swing kinematics and designing a more sustainable running shoe. These experiences reinforced my interest in footwear research, biomechanics, product design and innovation.
Alongside my studies, I was actively involved in sport, representing Loughborough in football and futsal, as well as coaching a futsal team. I also played pickleball recreationally at both the University and a local club. These experiences helped me build connections beyond my course and develop a strong sense of belonging, particularly through BUCS competition. Coaching also enhanced my leadership and communication skills.
Loughborough provided a well-rounded experience, combining academic study with valuable industry opportunities - through sponsored projects and a placement year, I gained practical experience and built a strong professional network. My advice is to make the most of every opportunity - you never know where it might lead.
Laurel graduated from Loughborough University in 2026.
