Where neuroscience meets the stars: Fatima's journey to Birkbeck

My name is Fatima. I am half Somali, half Yemeni, born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science from Gulf Medical University in the UAE before moving on to a Master's in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology at Birkbeck, University of London.

Two passions I thought were worlds apart

I initially applied for clinical neuroscience at a different university on the outskirts of London, but then I gave myself a chance to look at universities in the centre, as the location felt more active and beautiful.

A nice coincidence followed. While I do love neuroscience, I still had a passion for astronomy, and I considered the two fields worlds apart. Then I came across the work of Professor Elisa R Ferre, who teaches at Birkbeck and has combined both in a vestibular x space neuroscience lab, publishing work on how microgravity and the space environment affect the brain and cognition. I immediately contacted her to see if I could work with her on my master's dissertation if I applied to Birkbeck. I applied as soon as I got the okay from her, and I am very grateful to have been able to do that.

Arriving in a new city

It was my first time in London when I moved here for my master's studies. My first impression was that it was definitely colder than where I used to live! I rent a flat with my family, and the cost of living was certainly different from what I was used to, but I adjusted over time.

My main mode of transport in the UAE is the car, so it took me a while to understand how the Tube worked, though it was not too difficult. One thing I love about London is the walkability and the abundance of public transport to everywhere. It is an active city, so I never run out of things to do for fun.

Learning from people at the forefront

Starting my course at Birkbeck was smooth. But being in an entirely new country and diving straight into studying meant I had to set routines and be mindful of how I manage my time.

One thing that stood out in my programme is that in certain modules, every lecture is taught by a different professor who specialises in that session's topic. I found it useful to hear about each topic, along with recent ongoing research, from somebody active in the field.

Finding my people

I have made a few friends on my course, and one of them is now my best friend.

Mainly, I attended welcome week fairs for newly joining students, as well as trips organised by the Student Union to take new (international) students sightseeing around famous London spots. Soon after, I became part of the student ambassador team, which involved working on a diverse range of events, so it never got boring and I got to meet many more friends there. I also enjoyed my time in a couple of societies, such as the Japan Society, which focuses on Japanese traditions and food, and the Social Society, which brings people together to socialise.

A good place to be

What began as a search for a more active, central university has become so much more. At Birkbeck, I found a way to bring different passions together, a city that keeps me busy, and friends who made it feel like home.