For me, the momentum I gained after attending the conference is one of the most valuable things that I have ever experienced. The program is very systematic, organized, insightful and inspirational. It was hard work, but I appreciated the opportunity to push myself through the content of various skills sessions, from inside to outside academia, from the PhD life to career after study. Professor Melissa Butcher is very knowledgeable, she not only conveyed the positive messages to keep us motivated and consistent as PhD students but also gave useful advice on how to improve our career prospects as PhD graduates. The way she analysed the strengths and weakness of a CV using Denis the cats hilarious and very impressive! The talented fellows, Callum and Josh were so excellent for creating a positive learning environment where a lot of discussion and sharing takes place.

Finally, Cumberland Lodge where the conference was held is such a wonderful venue with a picturesque landscape, excellent food, and exceptional quality of service. The thing I love the most is that we could get closer to each other by walking in group after dinner, enjoying the sunset and giggling over the stories we shared during the walk around Winsor Park. As an international student, this is one of the best experiences I have ever had since I first came to the UK to pursue higher education.

In August I was thrilled to learn I had a place at the “Life beyond the PhD” Conference at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor. I eagerly packed my suitcase not entirely sure what to expect. The communication advised us to pack all pharmaceuticals and snacks we may need as we will be in the middle of nowhere! Excited. Nervous. Enthusiastic…. I met the other student who had a place and we eagerly chatted on the train to London. How many Ph.D. students does it take to find a platform in Waterloo? More than us two it seems. But we found it and made our way towards Windsor followed by a shared taxi journey with other excited PhDs we met for the very last leg. Nothing prepared us as the taxi made its way to Cumberland lodge down the long drive through woods and beautiful green. The royal parks title came into its own.

Five days followed. Cumberland lodge historically was a royal residence and its current state respects that heritage and beauty. Never have I stayed before then in such grandeur. The privilege was not lost on me as I soaked in every opportunity to experience all the week had to offer. Myself and about fifty other PhD students had a week we will never forget, and it so far is the high light of my PhD journey. The programme was full on and including mealtimes, was twelve hours a day. I don’t want to go too much into what was involved in the learning sessions in case future applicants are reading this, but I can guarantee a week of insight, thought provoking discussions and learning. And fun, fun too! We had opportunity to share our own research, gain feedback, skills of how to be concise, pitching, communication skills non-academic skills… so so much packed into five days. Quizzes, social events, delicious food, networking, walks in evenings (I didn’t realise how close I was to Windsor Castle, but King Charles didn’t pop over for tea), conversation, sunshine. The list is endless.

What I will take most from the experience is though all of us came from different universities across the UK studying in different fields the shared understanding of what we are going through with our PhDs was immense. I made lifelong friends whilst there and a community of practice which I will cherish as I continue my PhD journey. I openly admit to feeling the strain of my study before I went (every PhD student hits the wall!) but I returned with new ideas, new enthusiasm, and a new confidence that I can and will do this. Thank you to all I met there. Thankyou Cumberland lodge and most of all, thankyou university of Lincoln Doctoral School for the opportunity. If I could do it again next week, I would!