When Farah joined the Undergraduate Summer School in 2024, she was completing her BA Psychology at Koç University in Turkey.
Farah described the Clinical Psychology & Mental Health module led by Dr Jacqueline Carhoun as a “really life changing” experience. What stood out most for her was the classroom environment. Teaching was structured around discussion and collaboration, something she had not previously experienced.
Dr Carhoun explains that this approach is intentional. “A key focus is encouraging thoughtful engagement with research and ideas. Rather than simply comparing studies, we promote reflective and critical discussions that invite students to think carefully about evidence, perspectives, and real-world implications. Developing the confidence to question, reflect, and articulate ideas in this way is central to postgraduate-level work.”
Farah felt that the format of the classes helped her grow in confidence. “I am a very shy person,” she says, but “we had to participate with different people every class… and that pushed me to talk to other people.” She adds that the atmosphere made a difference: “It was a very accepting environment, so no answer was necessarily the wrong answer.”
The friendships and connections she formed during the programme have lasted. Nearly two years later, the group still meets for monthly video calls.
Pursuing an MSc at Sussex
She also reflects on how the Summer School reduced her uncertainty about postgraduate study in the UK. “I was just nervous about taking the first step,” she explains, but “coming here for summer and enjoying it, and seeing that it's actually not that scary… [and] familiarising myself with the campus environment” supported her decision-making.
After graduating from Koç University, Farah returned to Sussex to study MSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience. She was awarded the Chancellor’s International Scholarship to fund her studies.
Returning with confidence
When Farah arrived back in Brighton for her MSc, the transition felt straightforward. Having already spent three weeks on campus during the summer, she felt settled from the outset.
“I didn't get the culture shock of not knowing where I am or where the stores are or how to get to Brighton,” she says. “I didn’t have that to worry about and was able to dedicate myself to my classes.”
She also sees clear links between her Summer School experience and her current studies, including her MSc dissertation on neurodivergence. “I reflect a lot on what we learned in summer,” she says. “I got the knowledge about the ADHD and time perception link from the Summer School semester.”
Looking ahead, Farah hopes to stay in the UK, ideally in Brighton, and is considering a PhD after gaining further experience in the field. Her journey from Summer School student to Chancellor’s International Scholar demonstrates how short-term academic experiences can support personal growth and long-term study progression.
Since 2016, 23 Summer School alumni have gone on to enrol on postgraduate degrees at Sussex, with four progressing to PhD study.
You can read more about the 2026 Undergraduate Summer School here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/study-abroad-at-sussex/our-programs/summer-school