Temi Balogun, a second-year Computer Science student, describes her experiences at FASStrack Asia in Singapore. Her time at the summer school was made possible thanks to a bursary to help students in need of financial assistance to be able to travel abroad as part of their time studying at Nottingham.

singapore-skyline

My name is Temi Balogun, and I am going into my second year of studying Computer Science. I grew up in northeast London surrounded by a diverse community which always encouraged me to be ambitious and explore new opportunities. Coming from a British Nigerian background, I have always valued education and the chance to learn from different perspectives. I developed an interest in Computer Science a little later than some, but I have always loved mathematics and excelled in it. I realised that studying Computer Science would be the perfect way to apply my problem-solving skills in a practical and creative way. I decided on Nottingham because of its excellent reputation, welcoming community, and the opportunities it provides for both academic and personal development.

At Nottingham, I have enjoyed exploring different areas within Computer Science, with Databases and Interfaces being my favourite module as I liked seeing immediate results when building websites and applications. I am looking forward to building on these skills in my upcoming Human-Computer Interaction module and beginning a Spanish language module in second year to broaden my cultural understanding. Outside of my studies, I am part of my local cadet squadron, take part in a netball society, and balance these with a part-time job that has helped me develop resilience and teamwork skills. I also plan to take up volunteering in my second year, as giving back to the community is something I find important and rewarding.

temi-balogun

Temi's time in Singapore

This summer, I had the most incredible experience attending FASStrack Asia at the National University of Singapore, where I studied Cyberpsychology. Spending three weeks in another country, let alone on another continent, showed me how different other people's life experiences are to mine. Being exposed to so many different norms and values made me aware of the vast number of cultural practices that exist. The bursary I received made it possible for me to attend, covering most of my flights and accommodation. Without this support, I would have faced a significant financial burden

During the programme, I had the opportunity to work closely with students from various countries, which strengthened my teamwork and communication skills.

Being immersed in a vibrant, different culture enhanced my adaptability, independence, and cultural awareness, while engaging with new challenges and projects helped me develop my problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 

This experience has inspired me to apply what I learned to my Computer Science degree and has motivated me to explore future career paths in UX design, web development, cyberpsychology, and other related fields. Attending FASStrack Asia boosted my confidence in pursuing opportunities both abroad and in professional settings, and I am certain that the skills and insights I gained will have a lasting impact on both my studies and my future career.

As part of my time in Singapore, I also had the chance to explore the city and its unique culture. I visited Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, and Sentosa, which gave me a real appreciation of the country’s blend of rich history and modern development. These experiences made my time abroad even more memorable and gave me a deeper appreciation of the culture I was surrounded by.

I am incredibly grateful for this bursary and this generosity has made a transformative experience like FASStrack Asia possible for me, and I deeply appreciate the support provided. Knowing that there are people who believe in supporting students’ growth and opportunities is truly inspiring, and I hope to use the skills and insights I gained to make a positive impact in my studies, future career, and community.