Living and learning in Liverpool

Rocel with Liverpool's homegrown heroes, The Beatles © Rod Barit

It came as no surprise to me that Liverpool was chosen as the best city for students in 2023. I knew I made the right decision coming to this city in the northwest of the United Kingdom. It not only has a relatively lower cost of living than London, but it also remarkably excels and thrives in science, art, music, and sports.

I am a strategic communication specialist from the Philippines, dedicated to promoting health in humanitarian and public health contexts and shedding light on health inequities. I chose to study at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) because of the outstanding research conducted by its staff, alumni, and students, both on specific diseases and on health systems. I was delighted to be accepted to the Master of Public Health (Outbreak Control and Health Protection) programme even though I am not a medical professional. This demonstrates LSTM’s multidisciplinary and inclusive approach to global health.

Expand your views and skills in an in-person programme

I joined the 2023-24 cohort for a full-time, on-site Master’s programme through the UK Government’s Chevening Scholarship. I had the privilege to focus on my studies and fully benefit from the UK’s top-notch higher education. I had high hopes that an MPH programme would broaden my understanding of global health’s technical, social, and political facets. LSTM certainly delivered through a well-curated programme that situates theory in real-world settings. International students like me were also supported so we could adapt to the UK academic setting.

An on-site programme allowed me to learn from my interactions with lecturers and classmates. One of the strengths of LSTM is the extent and quality of its network of lecturers based in the UK and around the globe. They are some of the trailblazers in their field, developing treatments and vaccines, responding to outbreaks, and empowering co-researchers in communities to create equitable solutions to health issues. I had moments when I was left in awe of their amazing work and generosity in answering our curious or provocative questions. I often looked up their LSTM profiles for their interests and projects. I also learned from classmates from the UK and worldwide who bring their unique experiences and perspectives on global health in class discussions, presentations, and friendly debates.

MPH students first take core modules on public health policies, promoting health and improving health systems, and research methods before specialising in their streams. Choosing our modules for the second semester was empowering, as we focused on the topics and skills that interested us or were crucial for our careers. For example, I have been interested in the interconnections between climate change and health. Taking this module after my ‘outbreak control’ module helped me learn the foundational concepts I needed for my dissertation. Other students combined modules on humanitarian health and sexual and reproductive health, or managing health services and applied statistics, because of their career aspirations after the programme. Indeed, this flexibility helped us take charge of our own learning and maximise our time at LSTM.

Create opportunities to enrich your student life

LSTM is supportive of student-led activities, too. I was part of the organising committee for a study trip to Geneva, where we met global health and humanitarian experts from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – IFRC, and The Global Fund. Speakers from our host organisations shared stories from the field and the complexities of supporting communities amid conflict and climate-related disasters. They also provided advice not only on building a career, but also maintaining mental and physical well-being to continue serving in this field. LSTM also organised an alumni gathering in Geneva, which provided a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the various paths we could take after studying at LSTM. Future students can expect LSTM’s openness and support for initiatives that complement in-class learning.

Take advantage of the support from your university

For students from outside Liverpool or the UK, moving to a new country or city and being away from family and friends can be overwhelming. LSTM has a responsive admission and student support team to help students settle in Liverpool and the UK. In-house counsellors are available for one-to-one consultations. On the academic side, I appreciated the prompt and valuable support of the librarian, module convenors, programme directors, and supervisors to ensure that we could perform well in our module assessments and our dissertation project. This learning environment is a good balance of pursuing my interests independently and knowing that a whole community looks after me and roots for me to succeed in my studies.

Fun things to do in Liverpool

It is important to take breaks while studying, and you can find something that interests you in Liverpool. Food lovers can enjoy international cuisine at the city centre’s restaurants, while art enthusiasts can explore numerous museums and galleries around the city. I have also come to learn and like football while in Liverpool. I attended a women’s football match at Anfield Stadium, and it was heartwarming to see families and their young daughters and sons enjoying the game. On sunny days in spring and summer, you can visit Liverpool’s various parks like Sefton Park, take a leisurely stroll and encounter squirrels, ducks, and birds along the way. You can also just take a breather and lie down on the grass. Lastly, Liverpool’s love for music exudes everywhere—after all, it was the birthplace of The Beatles. Besides that, you can enjoy live music at the pubs, dance to songs from all genres, or watch musicals and plays at the theatre.

The year I spent living and studying in Liverpool and in the UK was one of the most memorable years of my life. It was filled with personal and professional growth, fun moments with new friends, and renewed hope and ideas for a career and life in global health.