Febronia has gone from playing competitive sport, to working in Finance, to pursuing a Masters in Psychology at Anglia Ruskin. How has she done it all? Read on to hear her story.

By Ruby Wrankmore

Name: Febronia

University: Anglia Ruskin University

Course: MSc Psychology

Hometown: Egypt

Favourite film: The Notebook. It shows me that everything happens for a reason - so don’t pressure anything. Instead of worrying too much, if you feel that you’re doing your best then that’s enough. If you don’t get what you want it’s about timing, not you. 

Tell me a bit about yourself...

“I used to swim from the ages of 4-16. I competed professionally and it was my dream to join the Olympics, but I got injured and had to quit. I decided to go to university and since I enjoyed playing football, I joined the team. We won the national championship in 2018! Both sports developed specific personality traits in me. If you think about it, one is a solo sport whilst the other is a team sport. Playing football helped me to communicate better - you aren’t playing on your own, so there are others that rely on you. You get to learn about other people and how they react to things. For example, if you lose a match everyone will take it differently. I’m so drawn to Psychology - I just happen to analyse these things!”

“I studied Business Administration with Finance, which is very different to Psychology. I landed a job last year, which I am very good at. However, it lacks what I enjoy the most - people. I made the decision to explore Psychology. I don’t think I could spend my life doing something I’m not passionate about - I wouldn’t be happy.”

“I started looking for further courses. I interviewed for one that I really wanted, but got rejected. It would be easy to feel defeated, but I know that I did my best and was committed. So, there was no need to be upset. When I least expected to get anything, I received multiple offers from different universities.”

“Starting this Masters is my first step in pursuing my dream, which is to help people. Just thinking about it makes me excited - I know that’s what I want to live for.”

How did you know where/what to study?

“Anglia Ruskin is ideal for me - a one-year course suits me perfectly, especially as I’m switching fields. I really like the fact that I can choose my own dissertation topic and be supported in this. I received an amazing scholarship offer from ARU as well, without it I probably wouldn’t be able to study.”

“I spoke with some former students who told me that the campus is really beautiful. I’m happy to be going somewhere that I know I’ll feel comfortable. For me, I want to make sure that my physical and mental health are looked after.”

“In Egypt, there isn’t much openness with mental health. It has been changing recently, especially on social media, but not everyone has access to things like Instagram. I want to specialise in trauma counselling, so I’m going to pursue this further after my degree. I have so many dreams I want to go after, but I enjoy the little achievements. I got accepted into this programme, and I really celebrate that. Even though I have a vision for myself, I won’t let it pressure me. If I’m only focused on the future then I miss the chance to celebrate all the little things.”

“Humans are so interesting and beautiful to me. It’s going to be so amazing to study the how’s and why’s of our behavior. I think understanding that helps us be more empathetic.”

What are you expecting university to be like?

“If you asked me before the pandemic, I would have had a clearer answer! I think there will be good precautions in place and lots of support. I can sense that already from having access to CampusConnect and getting fast replies to my questions. I’ve done my research already - looking up the library and campus. I’m so excited! I think there will be lots of international students too, which I have noticed on the CampusConnect app. It will be great to be around others from different countries.”

“I am definitely nervous to move abroad - but it’s something new, so that’s normal. It isn’t the type of nervous that would stop me from doing it. I did a semester abroad in Barcelona in 2018 for 2 months, so I have some experience communicating with different people already.”

How have you used CampusConnect?

“I like the fact that there are different groups on the app, like accommodation. I know what places to go based on what questions I have. I’ve seen people helping each other out, which is really nice.”

“I think this has a really positive effect on our mental health. People can be scared or nervous about things - like being lonely or not having knowledge. The app is a great way for people to form relationships that they can then take into real life.”