I’m originally from Portugal, but I grew up in a few different countries. Between the ages of 10 and 16, I lived in Angola because of my mother’s work.
When it came to further education, I wanted to move abroad again in order to feel challenged, meet new people and explore a new city, so I did my A levels in Brighton. I stayed there for university, pursuing my bachelor’s in biomedical science at the University of Sussex.
I have always loved chemistry and biology, and I was curious about the impact that specific biological mutations and diseases have. However, I didn’t think I was suited to a long-term career in the lab. I was interested in business and the pharmaceutical industry, so I decided to switch careers and study biotech and pharmaceutical management at the UCL Global Business School for Health (UCL GBSH).
My areas of interest are how pharmaceutical companies make a profit while ensuring access to life-changing medicines, the components of a strong pharmaceutical supply chain, biotech investment, the role of venture capital, and the marketing of highly regulated products. The Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management MSc allowed me to explore these topics, particularly how business and science interact in pharmaceutical companies.
One of the special things about the UCL GBSH is the amazing diversity of people it attracts. I studied alongside people from 60 countries. Learning about their different cultures and traditions was interesting. Surprisingly, I also learned how much we all have in common.
I enjoyed making the most of London’s cultural scene – visiting museums and the opera, as well as the capital’s parks, markets, cafes and restaurants.
Attending UCL GBSH events has been a key part of my education. They included talks by senior leaders of large pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms and governmental organisations.
The student newsletter was for picking out the best student events each week. From going to dance classes with friends, and running in the Olympic Park, to postgraduate wine and cheese nights, there was never a dull moment.
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Scholarships available in the UK for international students
Even though Brexit brought regulatory changes, I was lucky enough to secure pre-settlement status and have recently received settled status.
The language barrier was difficult, but it was worse during my A levels in Brighton. I had to learn a lot of scientific terms in English – I remember writing them all down in a book. Other things such as English maths expressions and using a full stop instead of a comma for decimal points were small details that made all the difference to my final grades.
Settling into a new city was certainly challenging. Learning how to cook, clean, do the grocery shopping, set up utility services (water, electricity, broadband) and take care of the apartment were things I had to pick up quite quickly. That said, I was lucky enough to move countries with my best friend, which meant that we were in it together.
My advice to other international students is do your best to explore your surroundings. Don’t sit at home by yourself because you may not have made new friends yet. Go out, make lists of places you must visit, talk to strangers, and try something new. Immerse yourself in the culture and the traditions of the place you’re staying in.
It’s important to also take time to think about your future after university. In my opinion, higher education today has a direct impact on tomorrow’s workforce. Industry should work with higher education to close skills gaps by offering scholarships, grants and financial support. This also includes the healthcare sector, whose companies should work together more closely to increase job prospects for students.
For example, companies require students to have at least a year of work experience to land their first job, but most of us don’t do placement years. The other possibility is doing internships during the summer holidays, but competition is fierce. If more internships were available, more people would be able to get the experience they need to get a job after graduating.
I want to work in the pharmaceutical sector and have an impact on people’s lives globally by ensuring that everyone has access to basic medicines. And I would love to ensure that drugs are sold at a fair price that makes them accessible, while generating profits that can be reinvested into R&D.
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