By Amadou Bakayoko, MSc International Sustainable Development, Class of 2024-2025

When I arrived in London in September 2024 to start my master’s program at Loughborough University London, I came as a mature student with years of experience in the Humanitarian sector, with a lot of questions related to the education system, life in the UK and how I would fit in this system. But I also knew that this was an amazing opportunity for me to learn, grow and broaden my horizons given my particular situation as an experienced professional and a Chevening Scholarship awardee.

The least I can say is that I have been surprised by the friendliness and the level of professionalism of the staff, everything is done for students to be in the right environment to make the most of their studies. I remember the induction programme, that included a walk through Hackney Wick, and I still remember my excitement seeing the beautiful canal, the street art on the walls, the boats, the restaurants and the story of Here East, the 2012 Olympic legacy site that hosts several companies and Loughborough University London.

Why I chose my course and Loughborough University London

For me, selecting a master’s degree in International Sustainable Development was a very personal choice in addition to an academic one because of the fact that I wanted to improve my theoretical understanding of development and gain practical experiences from other places. The UK was a good place for that given the good education system, the fact that there are students from different countries and backgrounds and the UK is one of the leading countries shaping the development landscape globally.

The International Sustainable Development course at Loughborough University London caught my eye right away because of the richness of its content and the vast experiences of the lecturers, many of whom have real life project experiences in the development sector. The fact that the campus is in London was also a key factor as I would be able to connect with organisations more easily and improve my chances to advance both professionally and academically.

My first class and first feelings

My first module, ‘Resilient and Sustainable Development‘, was a powerful entry into my new academic life. I had to get used to new ways of learning, it was highly interactive, discussion-based, critical and I really loved it for simple reasons. I found real satisfaction in reading intensively to be ready for class discussions and talk about real life projects and more importantly I could relate so much on my previous work and connect the dots in the broader system of development, how it functions and what are the key dynamics shaping it. I was simply relearning and understanding development from a holistic point of view. I have been equally impressed by the teaching quality for all the other modules with access to amazing contents, lecturers always available for students, impressive guest lectures etc.

Discovering other aspects of the learning journey

I very quickly discovered that learning at Loughborough University London wasn’t just confined to lectures. In fact, through the Institute’s membership I visited Chatham House, a place I had long heard of and admired from afar. The first event I attended, a trip organised by the International Diplomacy and International Affairs (IDIA) staff, was a talk about Climate Change with Mr Todd Sterner, a former US climate negotiator. It was a thought-provoking session for me and I attended many other discussions on global issues at Chatham House. Thanks to this first step, I attended many more events on important issues at universities, companies and other places across London.

I also joined Future Space’s ‘Monday Mentoring’, where I was paired with an alumnus from Brazil. We talked about finding balance, handling academic pressures, maximizing my time here, and preparing for the future. This helped me a lot in keeping focused and broadening my network.

Christmas Break and January start

Christmas was a special moment in London, from the lights, the festive atmosphere to the Christmas markets, every moment felt magic! In January, with the arrival of new students in the school’s January intake, we had more students, enriching class discussions, and the opportunity to make friendship with students coming from all over the world. The group work and presentations on many modules connected us more and I was pleased to learn in an environment where differences are celebrated.

Other Extra Curricular activities

Through the Future Space and Handshake, I took part in webinars with companies like Procter & Gamble, HSBC, and Johnson & Johnson. This inspired me to start thinking about my next steps and how I might use my skills and interests in various settings. Thanks to Future Space, I was invited to talks about my experiences as an international student with Professor Sam Grogan, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience. I spoke about how I got here and how important this opportunity is to me.

I also visited the Brazilian and Turkish embassies where we heard from the ambassadors about their diplomatic policies and positions on global issues. Throughout the year, I participated in several Loughborough University London events, including:

• ‘Inside the Profession‘ where we heard from Loughborough University London alumni about how to be prepared for our future careers.
• ‘Careers in Geopolitics‘ with Gatehouse Advisory Partners
• ‘Waging Peace‘ event with seasoned UN official Erik Solheim

The above events and many more helped me to understand that there are many opportunities out there and in many sectors for me to explore.

More Than a degree, a capacity-building journey

In my academic programme, each module included activities in the form of group projects, presentations, essays, policy analyses, and reflective writing. In fact, each task contributed to my growth because through each activity I was discovering or rediscovering the importance of research, problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, meeting deadlines, academic excellence  and, importantly, being the best  version of myself in this journey. I have been able to understand how crucial it is to continue working for more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive futures in the world and in particular in my country and also the role I can play as an actor striving for a true and lasting development in my country and beyond.

For those willing to explore and understand development and its implications globally, International Sustainable Development at Loughborough University London is, in my view, one of the best options available in the UK.

A big thank you to Amadou Bakayoko for writing this blog!

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