MPhys Physics with Year Abroad student, Viktoria, explains the positive impact the year abroad spent at TRIUMF had on academic and personal life.
Now that I am in the final semester of my final year, I can quite confidently say that no other university experience has had such an important impact on my early career outlook as the year I spent doing research at TRIUMF, Vancouver as part of the MPhys Physics with Year Abroad degree. Taking part in this year overseas, which consisted of a full-time research project within an active and growing life sciences department, was a complete flip to the day-to-day routines of lectures and workshops at university. I was able to step out of traditional teaching, learn on the job, and contribute to science that had real impact.
My project focused on cyclotron production of in-demand radioisotopes for radiopharmaceutical applications. For me, this was an excellent introduction to the field of medical physics and research and development (R&D) for pharmaceuticals. I gained insight into not only the science behind modern therapeutic and diagnostic cancer solutions but also their core challenges in translation beyond the lab. Due to the nature of the project, I worked alongside PhD students, post-docs and research scientists from a variety of STEM disciplines as well those working in industry, and I gained unfiltered insight into their working lives. If you are someone who is unsure what your next steps after university should be, whether you would enjoy research or a PhD, I cannot stress enough how valuable that experience is. Having the opportunity to commit an entire academic year to a full-time research project as opposed to the usual 120-credit juggle of coursework and exams was extremely useful to me. After coming back from Vancouver, I was able to tailor my elective choices to subjects I know will be truly useful for me and hence look forward to taking. Having spent a year in research, applying for PhD/research positions feels less like a leap and more like a natural progression because I better understand what to expect – including the challenges.
The year abroad also provided me with the opportunity to attend and speak at conferences, give talks at internal company reviews, make valuable international connections and even work on a first author publication. These are opportunities which are rarely available to undergraduates and am confident will stick out on my CV and improve my employability.
Aside from professional/educational development, it was a really memorable personal experience. Moving halfway across the world is as intimidating as it is rewarding – and Vancouver is a truly unique and special place that I hope to return to in the future. There are few places in the world where you can spend the day in a city centre surrounded by beaches and the same evening be snowboarding in the mountains.
In summary, my experience abroad provided me with an array of opportunities that are difficult to come by in a typical academic year, regardless of how great the facilities at university may be. The MPhys Physics with Year Abroad programme enables you to step out the university routine you already know and gain real, valuable research experience while making memories of a lifetime. If you are considering it, then 3 words suffice – go for it.
Find out more about the MPhys Physics with Year Abroad degree.
