Rimsha

Introducing Rimsha

• Country: Dubai
• Studied: Foundation in Life Sciences
• Progressing to: MSc Medical Engineering

Have you always wanted a career in STEM?

Yes! I was always into anything science-related at school. When I started looking at University degree options, Biomedical Science just stood out to me. I liked the look of the course and I knew it would give me options later on. With Biomedical you can branch out into so many different areas and choose what to specialise in, so it was an exciting choice.

After finishing my BSc though, I realised that lab work wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t see myself doing that every day. That’s when I started looking at other directions I could go in, and that’s how I discovered Medical Engineering.

Wonderful. Let’s rewind… Why did you choose to study in Plymouth?

I had offers from Lancaster, Manchester, Birmingham, Surrey, and King’s College… but there was something about Plymouth that just stood out. The biggest factor for me was affordability. I compared the fees, especially as an international student, and Plymouth seemed to offer the same quality of education at a much lower cost. Accommodation was cheaper too! Everything’s within walking distance so I knew I would save money on travel. If you’re still on the same level as graduates from other universities, why pay double?

Also, a wild coincidence happened! I found a t-shirt in Dubai with a picture of Plymouth Hoe (and the lighthouse) on it. Totally random. I bought it for my Dad and, a week later, I got the my Unconditional Offer letter. I thought, “okay, that has to be a sign!”

Amazing! When did you join us at UPIC?

It was an interesting experience because I started my Foundation course in 2020, right in the middle of Covid. Even though everything was online, it was still a good experience. I managed to make friends at UPIC online and we followed each other on Instagram, so by the time I came down to Plymouth we already knew each other.

I was only 17 when I started my Foundation at UPIC. I went straight from high school to College and, honestly, I feel like it worked for me. The professors were supportive and the classes were really interactive. My favourite professor, Martin, even continued to help me when I progressed to the University. That kind of support made the whole transition much easier.

How was your experience at UPIC?

The admissions process was fine. To be honest, I barely remember applying. I got the offer and thought “OH!” I just sent in my details and transcripts… and the rest is history. The College made things easier when I arrived too. They booked a car to drive me from the airport and drop me straight at my accommodation: www.upic.navitas.com/new/travelling-to-plymouth/booking/

The Foundation level helped me to settle in and put me in the right zone. I’d come from a British curriculum school in Dubai and the style of teaching was familiar. Most of my grades were above 90 at UPIC, so I felt confident going into first year. Of course, it was a step up! A lot more independent work but it was a fun experience.

I faced some financial challenges, but the staff were incredibly supportive. Tobi and Dave especially. When you’re dealing with money issues in a new country, and not sure where to turn, having people like that to guide you makes a huge difference.

That’s great. How did you feel when you first arrived in Plymouth?

I travelled alone. I’d never been to the UK before! My first impression was just how green everything was. I was born and raised in Dubai, and it’s a beautiful country, but there’s not a lot of greenery because it’s in the middle of the desert. When I arrived in Plymouth I thought “Oh! So many trees, wow!” The weather was a bit of a shock. I was very confused as to why it was raining so much! It’s drizzling in Winter and it’s drizzling in Spring, but honestly, I love it. Amazing.

The one thing I loved about Plymouth is how small it is. You can walk everywhere but you still have everything you need. Shops (I love Primark), cafés, coastal walks, and now there are even more new places opening up. It’s a really good student city.

What’s the food like in Plymouth?

There’s a lot more variety than I expected, especially for Halal food. I did some research and made a list of all the food places in Plymouth before I arrived. Although I saw a “Halal food guide” pinned on the noticeboard at the College on my first day, so that was helpful.

Mutley Bazaar is my go-to. It has a great Halal butcher which is right opposite my house. It’s very fresh and really good. There’s also a new Oriental supermarket on Cornwall Street with some good options. People sometimes think Halal food here is more expensive, but it’s actually quite reasonable and fits a student budget.

Did you make any friends at college?

Yes! I made friends from my Foundation before even starting the course. We connected through Insta and breakout rooms, and we’re still friends now. Even when new students joined after us, we all stayed connected through the College so my friendship circle grew naturally.

Another great way to make friends is through accommodation. I lived at Cross House University halls and met so many people there. A few of my friends have started their Masters in Cardiff, so I’m really keen to visit.

What are the UPSU societies like?

I joined the Drama Society, which was such a fun way to do something different. I was also part of the Pakistani Society at one point. That’s my heritage.

Have you ever visited the UoP Student Hub?

I accessed the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Services in my second year. They were brilliant! It only took two weeks to get an appointment, which is better than the NHS right now. I had therapy sessions and now I can meet up once a month for coffee sessions if I want to.

I was able to do alternative assessments in my third year, like coursework or online exams instead of traditional ones, and that made a huge difference. My results improved so much compared to second year because of that. It’s reassuring knowing that the support is there when you need it. Being far from family can be difficult, and they tried their best of course, but having extra support from the University really helped me.

Have you made more friends as you progressed through University?

Definitely! Second year was the year of making friends. I met people through random connections, and I still live with some of them now. One’s in Biomedical, another in Psychology, and one does Geology. I joke that my Geology friend is like a walking encyclopaedia of random facts! She’s graduating this year and she’s going to Cardiff. I have to go visit!!

This was also the year that I met my fiancé. I met him through a friend of a friend. We met at the Middle Eastern restaurant called Camel. I’ve been going for 4 or 5 years, I know the owners there, I know every single person that comes there and I’ve met so many friends through that. A lot of students go there as well. I’m friends with doctors from Derriford hospital… all the Egyptian doctors, medical students, and optometrists go there. It’s a 2-minute walk from campus so we used to finish our lectures, go to the library for a bit, and then go to Camel. And it’s open until 12 o’clock at night as well.

By final year I was living in a shared house with my friends, I was getting the support I needed from the Uni, and I started dating my fiancé. It felt like everything was falling into place.

Was it easy to find part-time work?

It was pretty straightforward. My first job was actually through Camel! I got chatting to one of the owners and he offered me a waitressing job at his other restaurant in town. I didn’t have any experience, but he gave me a chance, and I loved it.

Student Visa restrictions mean we can only work up to 20 hours per week, but most employers are understanding and they’ll offer hours to fit around your timetable. I now work at a restaurant in the city centre, which is great because it’s a lovely team and I get staff discount.

I was a student rep for UPIC, which was really fun because I could come back for the College events! I then became a UoP student rep for Biomedical Science across all three years.

Interesting! So why did you choose Medical Engineering?

It was actually at a postgraduate fair at the Rolle Marquee on campus. To be honest, I mainly went for the freebies (tote bags, pens, biscuits… you know the deal!), but I ended up talking to the Medical Engineering course leader for over an hour. He explained the different pathways and when I heard about nanotechnology, I was hooked.

Nanotech is basically tiny little robots that can go into your body and fix things. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real! That’s when I knew this was the direction I wanted to take. Nanotech is now my specialisation, and the professor I spoke to became my dissertation supervisor, which is something I’m really grateful for.

What current projects are you working on?

I’ve recently finished my MSc dissertation, which focussed on AI and nanotechnology in healthcare. I ran two surveys, one for the general public and one for medical professionals, and then compared their perspectives.

What are your career goals?

My degree has already opened so many doors. I went back home to Dubai for Christmas, and started chatting to someone about nanotech while giving my car to a valet (of all places!). It turns out he had a business in the Medical Engineering sector and offered me a part-time consultancy role. That’s how it works sometimes, it’s all about sharing your interests and making connections with people. I’m very talkative!

I’ve worked on some amazing projects. We talk about what kind of materials we can use to improve each design (e.g. graphene makes things lighter). I also suggest what kind of batteries and transistors will be most relevant for each product. I helped redesign an air ambulance into a UFO-style shape for better flight control! I also consulted on making a hydraulic system. This was a satellite system which used nano particles to create a layer in the stratosphere. A fake ozone layer that can be put up into the stratosphere using drones. The aim of the pulsing resonance mechanism was to protect the planet from sunrays and, ultimately, help reduce global warming. I met a female scientist who has 7 PhDs!! Some of the people I met are truly amazing. The connections I made are so strong, and I love the work because it keeps me learning.

One of the highlights of my MSc was designing a prosthetic leg from scratch. I used graphene and carbon fibre, and made it versatile with a switch so it could be either a blade or a foot. For the presentation, I printed an A1 sketch (to scale) and explained all the benefits of the design. I was so proud that I sent the design to everyone I knew!

Thank you, Rimsha! What’s your plan moving forward?

Long-term, I’d love to do a PhD. But for now, I’m excited to start my graduate role at HMRC in London – and keep exploring nanotech!