Àgata Román, a graduate of the Bachelor's Degree in Marine Science & Technologies at Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, explains how La Caixa Foundation postgraduate fellowship has allowed her to pursue a master's degree at the Imperial College of London, one of the best universities in the world. Now, she is preparing to return to Barcelona School of Civil Engineering and begin a doctorate focused on sustainable solutions for the coast.
Winning an excellence scholarship has meant for Àgata, a graduate of the Bachelor's degree in Marine Science & Technologies "a very important recognition of all my years of effort, perseverance and dedication". This support has been, in her words, a "decisive boost" to her professional career, opening the doors to the Imperial College of London, considered the second best university in the world according to the QS ranking.
Thanks to this opportunity, she is currently studying the master's degree in Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments. "I chose it because it is the perfect next step for the Degree in Marine Science & Technologies if you want to specialize in engineering," she explains. This program not only offers her a deeper understanding of the processes that rule the ocean and atmosphere, but also gives her access to unique facilities such as the Hydrodynamics Laboratory, where this summer she will develop her master's thesis on the transport of macroplastics.
A transformative experience in London
The experience of living and studying in London has gone far beyond academic knowledge. "It has made me leave my comfort zone, adapt quickly to a new and very demanding environment, and grow as a person and as a professional", she says.
On an academic level, her training at a top-level university allawed her to learn how to work in international teams, communicate complex ideas and manage the pressure of demanding deadlines. These qualities have made her "more efficient and decisive". On a personal level, her greatest improvement has been gaining confidence in her own abilities within a highly competitive environment, in addition to building a valuable network of friendships and international collaborations.
Her roots at the Barcelona School of Civil Engineering
The award winner is convinced that the key to her success has its base at Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, at the UPC. It was there that she discovered her passion for coastal engineering and decided to make a future of it. "As I studied the degree, I started to see how everything was interconnected and began to understand the complexity of coastal processes", she recalls.
The innovative nature of the degree forced her to be "more autonomous and proactive", a skill that she considers to have been key during the scholarship selection process. "Having to take the initiative to pave the way taught me to clearly defend what I wanted and why I wanted it", she assures.
A future dedicated to research and sustainability
With her eyes on the future, her goal is clear: continue to train in the field of research. Next year she will return to Barcelona School of Civil Engineering to begin a doctorate at the Laboratory of Maritime Engineering (LIM). Her goal is to delve deeper into the study of innovative and sustainable solutions to protect the coasts from the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and the intensification of storms.
In the long term, she aspires to maintain her collaboration with the Imperial College and apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship to consolidate herself as a researcher in a global and interdisciplinary environment.
Advice for new students: "Don't be afraid to talk to the teaching staff"
When asked about what advice she would give to future students, her answer is adamant: approach the teachers. "We often forget that the teachers are not only there to teach, but also to guide and help. They are a fundamental support network".
She also recommends getting as involved as possible in university life, whether in associations or activities. "The bonds you build there can stay with you for a long time", she concludes, recalling how a friendship forged in an Intercamins grew, years later, into an internship partner and, soon, into an office colleague during her doctoral studies.