London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Please explain a bit about your academic/professional background 

I recently graduated from Barts and the London, Queen Mary University with a bachelor's degree in Global Health. In terms of working in the field, I am one of the less experienced candidates, but my public health experience is widespread. I was well aware of public health and all it entails, having worked at a GP surgery for the previous year while also being involved with public health projects in the local community where I live in London. I come from a global health background, so my nutrition knowledge was limited. However, I don't feel limited by this, and the pre-course material, as well as some short courses I took, were extremely helpful in preparing me.

Why did you choose to study your course at LSHTM?

I chose my MSc because I wanted to further my studies in Global Health and localise my knowledge in order to contribute to the development of specific responses to the global health issues at hand. I chose LSHTM because I believe that learning from the world's best academics would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Working with others who are as dedicated to bringing about change and reducing health inequity as I am was a fantastic opportunity that will help me develop my knowledge and skills to a high level. I heard about LSHTM as the gold standard in this field while studying Global Health, and I knew I wanted to be a part of this prestigious institution.

How are you finding your MSc so far, and what have you enjoyed most about your course? 

I'm having a great time with the MSc! I've gained a lot of new knowledge and skills, but I've also discovered new interests. Epidemiology was an unexpectedly enjoyable subject for me. It is an important part of the course, as is global health, but I really enjoyed this section, despite all of the math. Nutrition in Emergencies and Maternal and Child Nutrition are my two favourite modules. They were extremely interactive and fascinating!

After spending the last year of my undergraduate degree online, I was a little disheartened to learn that the first 6 weeks of my MSc would also be online. However, the school did an excellent job of making online learning as interactive and enjoyable as possible. The transition back to face-to-face was fantastic, and being on campus is truly enjoyable! Sometimes lectures are still online, which is great if it means I can sleep in another half hour and avoid the tube in the morning!

Most of all, I've enjoyed meeting the wonderful people on my course, as well as hearing all of their incredible stories and experiences. Everyone on the course comes from such diverse backgrounds from all over the world! It makes the course so much more enjoyable when everyone contributes their own unique experiences, and this has been one of my favourite aspects of the MSc. Everyone was so nice and helpful, especially since I was one of the youngest on the course, in assuring me that my age and lack of experience would benefit me rather than hinder me.

I've gained a lot of new knowledge and skills, but I've also discovered new interests.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying your course at LSHTM? 

The course organisers are really helpful and provide loads of pre-reading and background materials, to help with concepts and topics that may not be as familiar to people from a non-nutrition background. Lectures are detailed to help cover this background, and if you have any questions, the organisers are extremely helpful, so don't be discouraged if you get lost. The workload is intense but that comes with any master's. It is manageable though!

The work all feels worth it, and it really is enjoyable! Never once did I think I would enjoy an assignment!

Be prepared, it is a lot! But most definitely embrace and enjoy it because it goes by so quickly and it is so interesting!

Please sum up your experience of studying at LSHTM 

Not only academically have I learnt so much but overall. I have loved my time studying here and truly am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to study here! I also worked for the university on one of their remote campaigns and was a student ambassador which was a great way for me to meet other students from other courses.

A special mention for the Nutrition for Global Health staff who really do go above and beyond to ensure that the experience and teaching is excellent!

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