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.