Farah’s story
Now studying on our Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc, Farah’s experience has helped her to develop as a researcher, find a sense of belonging and embrace new opportunities with confidence.
My time at Sussex has shown me that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, even when it feels a little intimidating. Whether moving to a new country, building new friendships, or exploring new interests, Sussex has helped me to embrace change and feel confident in whatever comes next.” Farah Amayreh
Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience MSc
“I’ve always been fascinated by human behaviour. I grew up in Dubai and being surrounded by so many different identities made me curious about people, place and culture.
My first degree introduced me to neuroscience and social psychology. I began to explore how the brain processes experiences like stigma and prejudice, and how these experiences shape the way we see ourselves and imagine our futures.
As I entered my final year, I began to consider my next steps, but it all felt very overwhelming. I’d moved to Istanbul for my undergrad, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to move overseas again and adjust to another country. One day, an email pinged into my inbox promoting the Sussex Clinical Psychology and Mental Health Summer programme in Brighton, which felt like the perfect opportunity to discover if the UK was right for me.
The three weeks I spent at Sussex were amazing. I learned from incredible academics and forged friendships with classmates from all over the world. We ate dinner together, went on long walks around the beautiful campus, and had opportunities to take part in karaoke, quiz nights, and trips to beautiful places like Lewes and Arundel. I even learned how to navigate public transport and find my way to the beach! Wherever I went, people were so friendly, and I felt totally safe and at ease. By the end of the summer, I knew Sussex was the right choice for me.
I could list so many highlights from my Masters experience: from being awarded an International Chancellor’s Scholarship to discovering new ways of learning. My tutors are less focused on us reciting facts, and more on debate and collaboration. At first, I felt a bit intimidated, but I soon found my voice. I’ve also loved accessing incredible resources such as neuroimaging tools, and working on my dissertation with Professor Chris Bird. I really feel encouraged to pursue the questions that matter most to me.
Living on campus has been an incredible experience. I’m usually pretty shy, but now, it feels natural to eat breakfast with my flatmates, go hiking in groups, and catch up with my neighbours about our days. And while I’ve never really thought of myself as an athletic person, I’ve enjoyed taking exercise classes through Sussex Sport, which have introduced me to Pilates, indoor cycling and even aerial yoga!
My time at Sussex has shown me that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, even when it feels a little intimidating. Whether moving to a new country, building new friendships, or exploring new interests, Sussex has helped me to embrace change and feel confident in whatever comes next.”
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