Arcadia England

Congratulations to our next Student Spotlight winner, Alyssa! In addition to her studies, Alyssa has been doing some fantastic research with various organisations to find out what provision there is for refugee doctors  who have come to the UK. Below Alyssa has kindly shared her experience so far with us.

PART OF YOUR NOMINATION WAS FOR THE RESEARCH YOU HAVE BEEN DOING WITH REFUGEE DOCTORS, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS?

I got involved with the project through John Eversley one of my professors at Arcadia. The Syrian refugee crisis along with that of other nations has been a hot topic in the news lately. Many of these refugees are doctors in their home countries but most go through a rigorous process to practice in the UK. Doctors who do eventually practice in the UK serve as a valuable asset to the NHS bringing both clinical and cultural experience to the publicly funded healthcare system. I am working as a liaison gathering information and statistics that might be useful for future grant proposals and government measures. This experience has allowed me to connect with the London community. It is a wonderful feeling to work with people who have such a passion for making lives better for refugees and the UK as a whole.

What has been the highlight of your time in London so far?

That is such a hard question. I think that this city provides so many resources and opportunities that everyday can be a highlight. One of my favorite British experiences was going to a Saracens rugby game. I love going to sports games and had never been to a rugby match before. As the game progressed I started to figure out the rules and before it was over I was hooked. The fans were incredibly polite for such a physical sport. My favorite play is the line-out where players literally lift up their teammate to catch the ball from the sidelines. I’m hoping to go to another game before I leave.

What has been the most challenging?

Being away from my family and friends in a different country has definitely been difficult. I go to school 1,000 miles away from home in the states but the adjustment to London was a lot harder. I am definitely not a city girl and have never been in a city for more than a week before. Adjusting to the bustle of the city as well as the transportation was a challenge. That being said, the city offers so many resources I would never have access to in the small towns back home.

We spotted that you signed up for HOST UK, where will you be going?

I haven’t been on my homestay yet but will be going at the end of April. I will be going to Carlisle in Northern England. The town is actually the starting point of Hadrian’s Wall and just at the border of England and Scotland. I am very excited to just get out into the countryside and experience the culture.

Where is your favoUrite place in London?

I absolutely love the Southbank. I went to a winter festival there my first week in London and have been a frequent visitor ever since. I love walking along the Thames and looking across to the Tower of London, Westminster, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Borough Market is an incredible place to stop for delicious food and lots of free samples. The river has the best views of the city and there are great places like the Tate Modern to stop into on your journey. With the weather getting a bit warmer I am definitely going to spending more time on the scenic Southbank.