Mohammed Taweh (BSc Psychology)

My journey into psychology has been both unique and inspiring. In 2016, I was halfway through medical school, but that summer, I had the opportunity to go on a two-week meditation retreat in a remote town in Indonesia. I took the time to reflect on my future and realised that becoming a doctor was not part of the plan. Coming from an African background, it is well known that most African parents determine the career paths their children should pursue at university, typically medicine, engineering, or law.

After the two weeks in Indonesia, I spoke with my dad. I expressed my desire to leave medical school to study psychology. He was very receptive to the idea, as he is an educational psychologist. To ensure I was making the right decision, I took a job in Intensive Care as an associate practitioner to get a feel for practicing medicine. I tried my best to make it work, but my passion for psychology was too strong, so I decided to enrol at The University of Buckingham. The support from the lecturers and staff was brilliant throughout my two years of study. I was given instant references from my supervisor, Philip Fine, and my personal tutor, Jenna Gillette. I just want to say thank you to all my lecturers and admin staff. You are amazing at what you do. For prospective study, I can guarantee you The University of Buckingham is the place for quality education and supportive staff members.

While balancing my studies and working bank shifts with NHS Professionals as a mental health practitioner, I began to gain relevant experience in the field of mental health. Naturally, I felt comfortable providing care to individuals with mental health challenges, and I looked forward to attending my shifts every time.

Since completing my degree—oh, I almost forgot to mention that I graduated with first-class honours—I have secured a part-time Assistant Psychologist internship at Northampton Hospital. In addition to this role, I work as a mental health assistant practitioner at a rehab and detox centre in Oxford. These experiences represent an exciting first step toward my ultimate goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. I am also currently awaiting the results of my doctoral application for clinical psychology, and I remain optimistic about the future. Thank you for allowing me to share my story—it’s a privilege to inspire prospective students.