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Why did you decide to study at Bangor?

Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ is a place like no other, you have the sea on one side and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park on the other side, with a few castles thrown in for good measure. As someone who is keen on outdoor adventure and sport, Bangor ticked all the boxes for me.

As a student with dyslexia, the University's Disability Services were highly rated by those I spoke to before coming to Bangor, and the University is well set up for accommodating the special requirements of disabled students. Bangor also has a huge variety of sports, societies and volunteering opportunities which was a huge draw for me. Another positive is that the University is always looking to be more sustainable, practicing what they preach.

Why did you choose your course?

Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ is the only University to have its own large research vessel, which was a huge draw for me. The ability to go on the Prince Madog is something I will always appreciate, and it offers a fantastic opportunity for field work which you could not do anywhere else. 

As my course was very diverse, I ended up going on field trips in the ocean, to Anglesey and Eryri (Snowdonia) looking at North Wales’ glacial past and bringing the lectures to life. I did not know where I wanted to end up after university, so the marine biology and oceanography course offered a broad spectrum of topics at the start, and then allowed me to specialise further down the road, once I found what I enjoyed and had a passion for, which turned out to be pollution.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Bangor?

Bangor has a very friendly atmosphere where you are never far away from a familiar face and great places to explore or relax. My degree course was great fun, with lecturers who have a true passion for their subject, as well as a willingness to assist and encourage you to share their passion and progress further. I was able to take advantage of many opportunities outside of my course, including societies, sports and volunteering opportunities, making friends along the way.

How did Bangor help you on the road to your career?

The marine biology and oceanography experience I gained from the course undoubtedly helped me attain the skills required for my current role, and this background has allowed me to use my knowledge of the environment to ensure oil spills are responded to in the most environmental approach possible. The course had many optional modules which gave me a broad knowledge base to understand both biological and oceanographic factors, to understand how location, habitat and biological processes interact and the opportunity to focus on the areas that really interested me.

What does your current role involve?

As an Oil Spill Responder, I am required to travel anywhere in the world at short notice to provide technical advice and active response assistance to minimise the environmental impact of an oil spill. When not on spills, I maintain my proficiency by completing exercises and training courses to ensure I can deliver safe and efficient oil spill responses. The role can also involve assisting in client preparedness projects such as training, consultancy and assisting with external exercises.

What would you say to somebody considering studying at Bangor?

Bangor is a great university, for both its location and quality of its courses. If you are unsure about going to university and about taking a big step into the unknown, Bangor is such a friendly place to find your direction.