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Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

During the open day I attended, staff where passionate when they were talking about what they taught. I liked the modules offered and loved that I could have a placement year. In fact, I first came across the company I interned for this year (KER) when looking at potential placements when I applied for this degree since they’ve been taking interns for many years. The other universities I viewed didn’t offer this.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy that the course has both practical and theoretical lectures where I can put what I’m learning into practice. It’s also great to have the opportunity to use the universities connections to work with people in the industry already. An example of this is when I got to do an internship through one of my modules with The BHS working to collaborate on a webpage for equine allergies. We had guest speakers, got to go to their HQ, had help from marketing etc so we got to experience it all before pitching our ideas to the company.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

I enjoyed, especially during second year, that the modules all link together. For example,  having biomechanics, learning about the structure, function and motion of the body, and then sports injury. The prior biomechanics information really helped get an understanding of how/why certain injuries would be occurring. I had a mixture of the things I love such as nutrition and exercise physiology but also a mixture of final summative assignments. For instance exams, reports and presentations.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

I’m always on the yard or in the library. I was fortunate to be working on the yard too during second year and that was great, since lectures where slightly less practical than first year. We have access to high technological equipment such as heart rate monitors and thermal imaging cameras so it was always fun to learn how to use them properly.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

The campus is nice and quiet. There’s many footpaths around campus and Southwell and I often go off walking. If I’m not reading a book I’ll be down at the gym in Southwell which for me,  is just as beneficial for my mental health as it is physical.

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/ living at Brackenhurst Campus?

When living on campus I did a food shop online that lasted about 10days/2 weeks. I meal prepped so that helped with cost. I initially did it as a group but it got complicated and found it much easier ordering alone. If possible bring a car if you plan on travelling/wanting to explore more.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what company did you do it for, what was your role/responsibilities and what did you achieve?

Yes, Kentucky Equine Research. I was a research intern which involves caring for the horses and conducting equine nutrition and exercise physiology research. I lead several projects which involved writing supply lists, getting ethical approval, writing protocols, collecting data, running statistical analysis, writing final reports and presenting findings to the rest of the company. I presented at conferences, shadowed nutrition advisors and got to work with them to provide information to customers.

During my internship with Kentucky Equine Research, I have been involved in 14 equine nutrition and exercise physiology research projects. This internship has provided me with many transferable skills and experiences that I’ll be able to apply to the final year of my bachelor’s degree and future career within the equine nutrition industry.

As an intern, I shadowed various roles within the company such as nutrition advisers and the Director of Digital Technology, who gave me insights into potential careers for the future. KER hosted a “Beat The Heat” conference in March where I got to present some of our current research through posters, a skill which I always struggled with but now enjoy. This internship introduced me to the thoroughbred industry, where I toured round equine hospitals, world famous stud farms such as WinStar and I got to go to many sales (Keenland, Fasig-Tipton, OBS).

If you completed a placement, would you recommend completing one and why?

It was the best decision ever. I’ve learnt new life skills, made friends and valuable connections along the way and it has convinced me to return to the US to get a masters degree. I was very homesick second year of university but since moving across the world for a year I know returning back to uni will feel easy.

It's also a great way to put classroom theory into industry practice. This experience has changed me for the better and will put me at an advantage when applying for future jobs and degrees - which KER gave some great advice on since I plan to return to the USA. The NTU Employability team were there to offer me CV guidance and checked in on me whilst on placement, which was reassuring.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

The staff are very knowledgeable and care about you personally and not just academically. You get the best of both worlds having theory and practical lessons and get to do fun things too like collecting data on the mechanical horse, going to Osberton horse trials, and working with companies such as The BHS. There’s so many career possibilities that follow it too!

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/ will help you to achieve that goal?

I plan to return to the US to get a masters degree and one day PhD as I think I want to be an equine nutritionist or work within the research field again!  NTU providing me with this placement year (massive shoutout to KER who were the best hosts and have already given me so many opportunities) will give me such an advantage when applying for this and also any future jobs. My lecturers always pushed me to be better and having that support encouraged me to always go the extra mile.