Eyad Al Khayat MSc Data Science
Meet Eyad Al Khayat a Syrian Chevening Scholar studying MSc Data Science…
I challenged my self to take a difficult course and was able to pass it! The course pushed me to get out of my academic comfort zone to try something new.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?
The first thing that made me consider Uni of Soton was the programme I was interested in doing (MSc Data Science). The course structure of the programme was designed in a way that allowed me to choose courses that best matches my interests and strengths. In addition to the university’s high research output, I found that Uni of Soton attracts students from all over the world, which is something that will contribute to positively to my Chevening experience and allows me to build a professional network of likeminded individuals. Finally, I was concerned about the city itself and realized that I can always find something to do in the city and that I will never feel board at weekends!
What do you enjoy the most about living in Southampton or Winchester?
Mayflower Park is one of my favourite places to visit. You get the chance to enjoy the port’s view and enjoy a sunny day, it’s also a good place to stargaze if your into that!
What do you think you have gained from your degree that you wouldn’t have developed without it?
The degree enabled me to enhance my writing skills (academic papers and reports) and greatly improved my critical thinking skills. Moreover, the programme itself acted as an environment where I was able to explore my weaknesses and strengths in a safe way and helped me to set my focus on what I should do afterwards.
What are you most proud of from your time at the University of Southampton so far?
I challenged my self to take a difficult course and was able to pass it! The course pushed me to get out of my academic comfort zone to try something new.
What has been the hardest aspect of studying in another country? How has the University helped you overcome the challenges?
Feeling lonely and away from family and friends is something that everyone will encounter, the most important thing is that you try to push yourself and meet new people and make new friends. I am glad that the university organized several events that made this possible for me. Most of the close friends that I have made and spent the rest of the year going out with was because of these events. (Internationals Dinner, International Scholarship Event, ECS Lunch on the Ferry,..)
What will you do with your degree after you have finished your studies?
The degree, and the projects I have did during the course (plus the dissertation) will enable me to apply more confidently for many of the positions that I am hoping to get in the future.
Can you sum up your University of Southampton experience in three words?
Adventurous, Mind-opening, and Encouraging
What is the name of the scholarship or bursary you have received?
Chevening Scholarship
How has the funding enhanced your experience as a student at the University of Southampton?
The monthly allowance that I was getting enabled me to focus more on my studies and live a stress-free life as I didn’t need to think about working a part-time job! This, in turn, gave me more time to explore the UK. I also met with other Chevening scholars studying at Uni of Soton and made lifelong friends with them.
What advice do you have for future applicants who may wish to apply for this scholarship or bursary?
- Don’t be afraid to get feedback from people you trust on your essays.
- Make sure that your essays are consistent. They need to tell one story.
- Use less “We” words and more “I’s” in your essays! The main character in the story should be you not your team or colleagues!
- Your future career plan and goals should fit in the SMART criteria (Specific, measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) so in short this should be a realistically ambitious plan.