Erika Karina Vargas Del Castillo

Were there any challenges affecting your decision to study at university? If so, how did you overcome them?

The main challenges I faced before deciding to study for a master's degree as an international student were finding funding to pay for the studies, tickets, finding accommodation and applying for a debit card.

To overcome them, I planned my monthly expenses that included food, transportation, emergencies, rent, clothes, and internet and applied to a loan from the government of my country.

Before coming to London, I requested room visits in shared houses, rented a room within my budget, and immediately applied for a debit card. Finally, I applied for a part-time job as an ambassador for the Widening Participation program for extra expenses

Why did you chose City St George's?

I chose to study a master's in civil engineering Structures at City St George's because the programme offers the courses I was looking for and the University has a good academic reputation and makes sure that its students find jobs when they finish their studies. City St George's has been advising me to understand the internship application process and giving me recommendations to improve my chances of being accepted.

I chose London because is a city that hosts a lot of people of different nationalities, there is a variety of jobs for civil engineers in the design and construction of large scale projects such as: bridges, buildings, transport systems, among others, it also encourages the use of technology in construction, renewable energies and it is a city that shares a lot of history giving free access to many museums.

How are you finding studying in the UK?

As an international student at City St George's, I feel understood and accompanied by classmates of different nationalities who, like me, are going through the same process of adapting to the country and the language.

Unlike when I was studying in Peru, now I have noticed a great accompaniment in learning using digital technology such as the use of the calendar on my mobile phone, team meetings and recorded classes. My favourite aspects of studying in London are the culture, museums, and history.

What does a typical week at university look like for you?

I take four courses in the second academic period on Mondays and Tuesdays of 3 hours each. In the mornings when I don't have classes, I organise myself to study or advance group work with my classmates in the university library, some afternoons I meet friends from Christian society.

Occasionally, I work as an ambassador for the Widening Participation scheme, answering queries about my experience as a structural engineering student to school students aged 10-14 so that they can make more informed decisions about their future career.

My favourite moments at City St George's are whenever I do activities with friends like French classes, dance classes or playing volleyball in my spare time.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

My course has strengthened my knowledge, and solved the doubts I had about design, it has given me more confidence to accept jobs in the construction sector, since I have been able to overcome tasks that seemed complicated, and I have learned to organize myself to meet deadlines.

My course also keeps me informed about new areas of my profession such as the development of automation of structural design through the use of digital programming, the use of renewable energies and the reuse of building materials. On the other hand, I have been using the CV review and cover letter resources offered by City St George's Careers to apply to jobs.

What opportunities and experience has the rest of City St George's offered you so far?

I can work part time as an ambassador for the Widening Participation scheme, answering queries about my experience as a structural engineering student to school students aged 10-14 so that they can make more informed decisions about their future career.

I also work as a marketing ambassador at the events they organize to improve professional decision-making for future applicants.

On the other hand, I can practice sports such as badminton, volleyball and boxfit for women as part of Cityactive at CitySport, I can have access to affordable evening dinners, I can participate in festivities organized by City St George's Student's Union during breaks in each course.

What advice would you give someone considering a degree in your subject?

I advise them to take time to organise themselves to reduce stress and overcome any difficulties, to know all the resources the University has to offer to enhance their learning such as laptops, computers, tutorials, and recorded classes, and to plan time to participate in sports, dance or as ambassadors to make friends.

I would also advise them to look for colleagues to study and do group work, to ask the teachers if they have any doubts about the work, that all the material needed for the exams is inside the virtual platform, that they review the recorded classes and that they attend all the classes.