Hear why current student Alhadi chose to study Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering at Birmingham.
As an Omani student in my final year of A-levels, my journey to choosing a university was marked by exploration and important conversations, especially with family. I paid my brother a visit, an international student in Liverpool, which inspired me to explore other various cities across the UK to find the best fit for my undergraduate studies. Birmingham stood out distinctly among them.
During a visit to Birmingham, I was captivated by the city's unique atmosphere, so different from anywhere else I'd been. It was during a nighttime visit to the University of Birmingham’s campus that I truly fell in love with the place. The campus was amazing, lit up with soft lights that emphasised its greenery and gave it a special feel. It really felt like it was the right place for me.
Post-A-levels, I found myself discussing university life and potential regrets with my brother. He suggested that particularly as an international student, a foundation year might have been beneficial since he went into first year immediately. This conversation was a turning point for me. This prompted me to reconsider my initial decision to start my first year without a foundation year, which also led me to reevaluate my course path.
In a world increasingly driven by STEM, choosing a career that is both future-proof and personally fulfilling is essential. For a long time, I viewed Computer Science as the ultimate gateway to innovation, believing it offered endless opportunities in the digital world. However, after many conversations and reconsiderations, I realised that my passion extended beyond coding and software development. I was drawn to problem-solving more tangibly, designing, building, and integrating systems. Looking back, my childhood fascination with Lego and Lego Mindstorms had already hinted at this inclination. I had always enjoyed the challenge of creating something functional with my hands, blending mechanics with technology. This realisation led me to explore Mechatronic & Robotic Engineering, and when I came across the programme at the University of Birmingham, it felt like the perfect fit. It offered the balance of software, hardware, and real-world application I had been searching for, allowing me to bring ideas to life in ways Computer Science alone could not.
Pursuing Mechatronic & Robotic Engineering with a foundation year at Birmingham has set me on a path of growth, discovery, and innovation. Here, I don’t just see myself as a student, I see myself as an active contributor to a field that is shaping the future. This programme perfectly aligns with my aspirations. It brings to life the same curiosity that fuelled my childhood Lego creations, but now on a scale that can potentially drive real-world change. From that pivotal conversation with my brother in Liverpool to the steps I now take on campus, this journey has been one of self-realisation and ambition. Looking ahead, I am eager to embrace the challenges, opportunities, and breakthroughs that lie before me. With each new lesson and project, I move closer to my goal of being at the forefront of technological innovation, ready to push boundaries, solve problems, and contribute to a world where engineering transforms possibilities into reality.
Alhadi is studying BEng Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
