BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2026, France, Student
“I could see how passionate the lecturers were about what they taught.”
“I once lived in Oxford and had the chance to visit the University for a day.”
What stayed with me was not just the campus but the people. They were genuinely engaged and clearly enjoyed teaching, which made a strong impression on me. From that point, Oxford Brookes felt like the right place, both academically and personally.
“One of the most difficult parts at the beginning was having to figure everything out at once.”
The administrative side of studying can be quite stressful alongside adapting to a new culture and a different academic system. It was sometimes difficult to find the right balance between the English I had learnt online and the English used in a university setting. However, with time, things became more manageable. I grew more confident and independent, and what initially felt overwhelming became part of my development. Looking back, these challenges played an important role in shaping how I approach both my studies and new situations.
“What made the biggest difference to my experience was getting involved in student life.”
I joined several societies, including Psychology, French, Entrepreneurship and Dance. The Psychology Society helped me connect with people on my course and feel more engaged with the studies. The French Society gave me a sense of familiarity when everything felt new. The Entrepreneurship Society helped me develop skills such as public speaking and networking, while Dance offered me a balanced way to enjoy student life. I’ve built strong friendships. In my second year I wanted to take the initiative, so I founded the Women in Science Society. This has been a particularly meaningful project for me, as it allowed me to create a space that brings people together around something I’m passionate about.
“Being surrounded by people from different backgrounds has allowed me to better understand different experiences and ways of thinking.”
As a result, I have become more aware of the importance of inclusion and responsibility, both in the academic environment and beyond. I’ve strengthened my English, particularly in academic and professional contexts, and I have also developed the ability to adapt to different cultures and ways of working. Meeting people from many different counties has made me more open minded and confident in navigating international environments. It has also made the idea of working abroad feel more accessible and realistic.
“Through my course I gained experience in research, data analysis and academic writing, as well as critical thinking and problem solving.”
I also had the opportunity to take part in EEG related work, which gave me valuable insight into neuroscience in practice. Also the GetPublished! Poster competition helped me improve how to present and communicate complex ideas clearly which helped me win the Oxford University Women’s Health Prize. Leading the Women in Science Society further developed my leadership, organisation and teamwork skills. These experiences have made me confident and adaptable, particularly when working with different people and communicating in different contexts.
“Looking ahead, I would like to pursue a career in Neuroscience in the UK, with a particular interest in women’s health.”
I’m aware that being an international student comes with challenges, particularly financial ones. I hope that opportunities will become more accessible in the future, making it easier to continue building a career here. For now, I am focused on continuing to develop my skills and gaining as much experience as possible as I work towards this goal.