Aidin Meghdadpour

How did you feel during your first week in Northumbria?

As I had a ten year gap between graduating from my Bachelor degree and beginning my Masters I was very nervous.

What are the best things about Newcastle for students?

As I am from Iran, Newcastle appealed to me because it is a multicultural city; the people are so friendly and made me feel welcome from the beginning. Newcastle is also cheaper than many other cities in the UK so it provides great value for money and an excellent standard of living.

Why did you choose the course?

I have worked in the field of disaster response and development for the last ten years. I’m passionate about this area and felt that Northumbria’s course would help me enhance my experience and knowledge of this subject.

What did you like most about the course?

This course was extremely varied and didn’t just focus on the reaction to natural
disasters. As it isn’t limited to the response aspect, it also teaches students that
mitigation and preparation are as important as response and recovery phases.

What facilities do you like on the campus?

Sport Central. It’s really well equipped and there are a variety of sports to choose from. Northumbria’s library is also one of the best in the UK and you have access to a PC anywhere on campus – even in the bar. Northumbria really is the best place to work and play.

How do you get on with your tutors?

They are friendly and always doing above and beyond what you expect of them as a tutor. During the first semester when I was new to this city they did their best to help me and other students feel at home. They took us out and even invited us to their homes and I really appreciated their hospitality.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

I plan to join a disaster response team anywhere in the world. I believe my past working experience, together with my current academic knowledge, will help me to find an appropriate job in future.