Alumna Lauren on what made studying in our School so special
Student experience Q&A
With Lauren Pan, Social and Public Policy (MSc)
American graduate Lauren Pan studied Social and Public Policy (MSc) with us, completing her studies in December 2024.
We caught up with her to find out about her time with us and what made it so special for her.
What’s your favourite thing about the School of Social Sciences (doesn’t need to be related to your course/studies)?
The staff at the School of Social Sciences have been amazing. Everyone was noticeably invested in my growth and well-being and motivated me to push through challenging times.
"I owe much of my success (and sanity) in my programme to the unwavering support of both my personal tutor and my dissertation supervisor. They were incredible!"
If a friend of yours was thinking of coming to Cardiff University, what advice would you give them / what would you say?
Get involved! Take your studies seriously but allow yourself to enjoy the many services, events, and programming offered by the University and the School of Social Sciences. Looking back with my degree in-hand, I wish I had made more time for travel, nights out, and getting involved in my community.
What have you enjoyed most about your studies to date?
As an international student, I particularly enjoyed gaining a global perspective on social issues, both in the UK and abroad. Pursuing my graduate studies at the School of Social Sciences has broadened my horizons and deepened my commitment to international collaboration in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
What skills have you developed during your studies?
In addition to strengthening my cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills - both of which are critical to my profession in international development - my studies at the School of Social Sciences have increased my confidence in my ability to perform academic research and data analysis. This skillset, in combination with my coursework developing and assessing interventions, has made me a marketable programme manager in my field.
Find out more about our Social and Public Policy (MSc) programme.