Rosalyn Putland MSci Marine Biology with study abroad

PhD Student at The University of Auckland

The main attraction of the University of Southampton for me was the chance to work at NOCS and get the opportunity to liaise with some of the leading researchers in the marine biology and oceanography field. The National Oceanography Centre Southampton is an impressive building to go to for my lectures and be able to walk through the corridors and knock on researchers’ doors if I need help.

I chose to study the masters course as it gave me a wide selection of courses to choose from, as well as allowing me to gain hands- on field research experience in a number of specific field trips and throughout individual courses.

The University of Southampton has everything you could ask for from a university, but it also allows opportunities to those students who want to find them; in my second year, I worked in local schools as a student ambassador and mentor, organising group and one to one sessions with secondary school pupils: promoting higher education/apprenticeships. 

Furthermore, in my third year, I was very privileged to be given a place at the University of North Carolina Wilmington for a semester. Whilst there I participated in the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, volunteered at the North Carolina Aquarium and completed an independent research project with the National Estuarine Reserve studying Loggerhead Turtle hatching success along North Carolina’s coast. Studying abroad has given me new enthusiasm for my degree together with many contacts I can use for the future.

I enjoy living in Southampton as there are lots of things to do but also having so many connections to the rest of the country: you can jump on the ferry to the Isle of Wight, take a train to London or get home if needed.

I am now a PhD student at University of Auckland.