“Coming to the University of Hull has been one of the proudest moments of my academic life. I found it to be just the right place for my career development because the University has a way of making its students feel honoured and have a sense of belonging. In the end, you do not feel like you have just passed through the University and acquired a degree, but you feel a part of it. There is this sense of homeliness and warmth that you experience, not only from the University staff but also at almost every place that you visit in Hull. I found Hull a very friendly place and it is truly “never dull in Hull”.
“My decision to study for an MSc in Renewable Energy at the University of Hull was born out of the energy situation in my country and the great potential that the UK, and the Humber region especially, holds for wind power and other renewable energy technologies. Thanks to the Commonwealth Scholarship, I was able to join the University and also support myself through the course with no financial worries. Though it was a totally new environment and academic system, I was able to adapt quickly and get along faster than expected because of the University’s good student support services and great number of resident Ghanaians and other Africans here in Hull.
“The University is well located and well planned with beautiful architectural structures, good state of the art learning facilities and a nice green environment which makes it relaxing and gives it a suitable academic climate. The lecturers are helpful and have a good rapport with the students; their open door policy and quick response time to emails is great. The redeveloped Brynmor Jones Library is awesome and its seventh floor (top floor) is a great place to catch beautiful aerial views of the University and beyond.
“The course, too, was well structured to provide a good balance between theory and real world situations. There were many assignments, tasks, reports, essays, laboratory sessions and group work, most of which dealt with real world scenarios, that helped develop my critical thinking and analysis skills. There were also many exciting and beneficial educational field trips such as trips to the Associated British Port at Grimsby, the Grimsby site of Centrica PLC (a British multinational energy company), Beverley Town Council, wind farm site visits and a tidal energy study boat trip on the Humber, among others.
“There were also guest lecturers from time to time to provide expert perspectives on the modules I studied. I also had the privilege and great experience of working on a real world project with the Swift Group Company for my dissertation because of the good relationship between the school and the industries in the surrounding area.
“Overall, the course was a good platform for me and I acquired, in a short period, in-depth knowledge and skills in renewable energy technologies, policies, business structure and renewable energy project management, among other things. These are vital to my career goals of becoming a researcher, renewable energy expert and policy advocate/consultant. I plan to advance this dream further upon my return to Ghana, and I hope to contribute my expertise in whatever capacity I can to bettering Ghana’s present energy situation.
“Besides studying, I had a short but valuable period of voluntary work experience with the University’s International Office. The International Office staff create such a lovely ambience. I also had a much longer valuable experience of working part-time in the UK. Though it was difficult maintaining the balance between studying and working, it was a very useful experience because it taught me the value of time management and prioritising. Living off campus and far into the city gave me the opportunity to interact more with local people and exposed me to the real day-to-day life in Hull. I made great friends from different cultures both within and outside of the university as a result.
“Looking back, coming to Hull will be an experience I will always cherish; all of my fond memories of my time here will stay with me for a lifetime. I believe in Hull because I got inspired in Hull, and I would recommend it to prospective students from all over the world because whatever your needs are, they are sure to be met at the University of Hull. I already plan on coming back to study for my PhD.”