Ridha Fameen Rahamathullah Shafeeq Ahamed

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

I chose to pursue speech and language therapy because:

1. The discussion surrounding neurodiversity and disability is evolving every day. I realised that unlearning and relearning is a constant process, which has helped me grow as an individual.
2. The scientific study of the human mind and body are two subjects that have always intrigued me.
3. It allows me to be a solid pillar for individuals and their families during times of confusion and celebration, which gives me a great sense of fulfilment.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology.

I became more interested in the latter as the years passed by, so I applied for MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT). Along with my studies, I volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged children in a non-governmental organisation called U&I.

In addition to that, I worked as a leader of the National Service Scheme Unit in my college, where I worked on organising residential camps in select cities in India, which involved screening for hearing and communication disorders across ages.

Here any challenges affecting your decision to study a postgraduate degree? If so, how did you overcome them?

As I decided to study a niche course, I did not have many people to guide me as an international SLT student in the UK. I had many queries related to my academic style, job prospects, and lifestyle as an SLT student, but finding the answers was difficult.

While applying, I also faced issues with the application process as the program structure is different in India, and not many universities accept international students.

I did a lot of research and gathered information from multiple sources. I found an SLT student called Emma Joan (from City St George's) on YouTube, and her videos helped me understand more about the course.

I contacted educational consultants to help me with the application process and other international students from India (currently studying in the UK) to learn more about life as an Indian in London. I contacted student ambassadors on UniBuddy and clarified relevant queries.

Why did you choose City St George's?

Studying in a university that puts inclusion as its top priority was essential for me.

As a prospective Speech and Language Therapy student, I aim to help people with communication disabilities gain wider access in our society. City St George's is conveniently placed in a multicultural hub like London, which exposes students to a wide variety of people – thus, pushing our boundaries and understanding of the world.

Additionally, London is brimming with opportunities to work, but even if I decide to move to another country, a postgraduate degree from London would be of great value in my field. The ‘Disability and Social Inclusion seminars’ conducted at City St George's is an excellent reflection of the small steps it is taking to destroy ableism.

Furthermore, I was confident that access to in-house clinics and faculty with years of experience under their wings and networks across the globe would enrich my postgraduate experience.

When I shared my aspirations with an SLT student from City St George's on the UniBuddy platform, she confirmed that this is the right place to be. She explained how inclusive the student society is and the wide array of placements each student receives on the course, which motivated me to confirm City St George's as my top choice.

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

Regarding academic life: we generally have face-to-face lectures twice a week, online lectures once a week, placement once a week, and one day to watch recorded material (for specific modules) and spend some time on self-directed learning.

This approach works best for me as I do not have to commute to the university every day of the week but still get an adequate amount of contact hours. Plus, having a day to consolidate my learning independently helps me learn more effectively.

I also work part-time at the university. It works well for me as I can work a 2-hour shift and then attend a lecture if I need to. I often arrange all my shifts on the day off (study day) and then stay back at the university to complete my lecture prep work. Since the work projects are ad-hoc, I have not built a consistent schedule - I decide around my academic demands.

This also gives me a great opportunity to make friends outside of my course and meet people from different age groups. Sometimes, we get a one-two-hour lunch break, so my friends and I explore the area around City St George's (Exmouth market is an excellent place to start, but you could also travel to Chinatown and have amazing boba tea!) and grab lunch elsewhere.

I reserve weekends for reading and spending the rest of my time exploring the city or catching up with friends back home.

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

MSc in Speech and Language Therapy is an intense but very unique course. In a single day, you might spend the first hour of university diving into the depths of the human brain’s anatomy and the next hour producing different sounds from various languages in the world.

From blowing bubbles with little kids to counselling an elderly patient post-stroke, the variety also extends to placements. Currently, I am placed in a hospital with the community rehabilitation team, where we treat people with eating, drinking, and/or swallowing difficulties.

That ties in well with the module on dysphagia, and consequently, it is one of my favorite modules. The intricacy and complexity of the swallow mechanism excite me. During our in-person lectures, we go through multiple case studies together, and that helps me strengthen my concepts.

Translating this knowledge to work on placement is easy, which is very helpful.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

Speech Language Therapy is a profession of service. Being sensitive to our clients' needs and devising creative plans to address them is what makes the everyday job of a therapist exciting.

You might walk into a session with a perfect plan for a patient, but they might be too tired to attempt the tasks you suggest. You would then have to think of a different way to achieve the same goal.

This has also helped me become more creative and flexible in my personal life.

The intensity of the course and being extremely empathetic with our clients can sometimes lead to burnout and exhaustion. Hence, I learned that prioritizing oneself and taking frequent breaks are vital to serving without feeling drained.

This skill of time management has helped me structure my life in a balanced way. I also realised I could not convince a client that it is okay to make mistakes or be different unless I believe in it.

Lastly, I have learned the importance of teamwork through SLT. Working with caretakers and other professionals is essential for providing the best possible care for our clients.

What opportunities and experiences has City St George's offered you so far?

As an international student, I was not familiar with the essay format of assessment. I signed up for academic writing classes and benefited a lot from them.

The additional learning support provided on Moodle and the 1-to-1/group sessions conducted by professionals in the field is beneficial. I believe that this will further help me in my dissertation project too.

I signed up for multiple ambassador schemes offered at City St George's to earn additional income. But I realised that working on these projects has also helped me hone my soft skills.

For example, I once worked with the finance team to provide input on how the university can help with the cost-of-living crisis and then saw the impact of our words as some suggestions were implemented. This made me feel included and respected as a student.

I am very active in our post-graduate network, which started recently and is helpful for networking and finding other like-minded individuals.

I am a part of the Arab society, but I also attend events hosted by other societies/Students Union (like the cultural fest/ game nights, etc.).

I have been introduced to a variety of cuisines on campus – which is my favorite bit about student societies and events. I ensure that I attend at least one or two events a month, typically after lectures.

Concerning my course, I appreciate being assigned various tutors who guide small group tutorials and individual meetings.

This helps us discuss and get to know professors better and makes me feel well-supported. The free British Sign Language classes are also beneficial.

What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?

Time management is a vital skill to have. City St George's offers classes/ videos on moodle to help you manage time better – so attend them if you wish to hone this skill.

If you can plan your week, you will get time to study, work and have fun! It took a lot of time for me to find my rhythm, but I did get there.

So, take your time to identify your priorities while studying (i.e., what helps you relax, do you like to study in groups/alone, etc.) and eventually build your schedule accordingly.

1. The best way to avoid burnout is to set some time apart for yourself and activities you enjoy. So do not forget to prioritise them.
2. Be open to meeting new people. It can seem daunting, but most people tend to feel the same, so no one is as confident as you think! It can pave the path to building authentic relationships that helps you grow or can be an opportunity to have a wonderful conversation. It also helps strengthen your networking skills (which improve with practice) and widen your perspectives.
3. Most professors are very passionate and eager to help students understand the concepts thoroughly. Hence, no question is a silly question. Ask and clarify as much as possible!
4. Lastly, watch for student offers/deals and make the most of them. Expenses tend to add up, and these discounts help a lot.