Global Adventures: Our students' summer experiences abroad
From research projects in Singapore to summer school in China, our students took full advantage of the opportunities we offer to go global.
19 January 2026
The short-term global opportunities offered at Newcastle University are an excellent way to include international experience as part of a degree without having to commit to a year abroad. The experiences on offer include summer schools, volunteering and internships, and aim to develop skills in adaptability, problem solving and communications - so there is something for everyone.
This year over 20 students across the School of Computing took part in the scheme, with students visiting 10 countries including Belgium, The Netherlands, China, South Korea and Morocco.
Victoria Chwarscianek (Computer Science – Cyber Security BSc) took part in the DigiForge research project at Newcastle University of Singapore.
Victoria said “I loved working with other students from a range of cultures from both Newcastle University and the Singapore Institute of Technology. We tackled some exciting challenges in smart manufacturing and cybersecurity, which encouraged us to think creatively and support each other’s ideas. Some key highlights included seeing our ideas come to life through a digital twin simulator, where we could actually model cyberattacks on factory systems, as well as getting to explore Singapore.
“This experience gave me the opportunity to bring together my interests in data, cybersecurity, and technology in a real-world setting. I developed skills in thinking creatively under pressure, and collaborating with people from different disciplines, which are skills that employers really value. On top of that, I gained practical experience with industrial analytics and knowledge graph design which has strengthened my technical foundation and boosted my confidence for future roles in tech and cybersecurity. The project has made me more motivated and excited about where my degree can take me next.”
Jaser Alsubhi (Computer Science – Software Engineering BSc) attended The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s summer school. They said “I particularly enjoyed meeting new people from all around the world and developing both life and work skills. I hope it will show future employers that I’m adaptable and comfortable working in different environments with people from diverse backgrounds.”
Central China Normal University
Several of our students also travelled to the Central China Normal University to take part in an AI in Education summer school.
Faraz Ihsan (Computer Science – Cyber Security BSc) said “I really enjoyed being able to immerse myself in Chinese culture and encouraged me to visit countries I haven’t visited before. The experience developed my subject knowledge but also allowed me to improve my cross-cultural communication and adaptability – key skills that will make me more employable in the tech industry. I’ve since used the technical knowledge I gained to tackle my coding and research projects more effectively.”
Kiran Bose-Miller (Computer Science BSc) said “This experience broadened my worldview as I was immersed in a culture vastly different from my own. As I adapted to a new environment, I grew in confidence especially when tackling complex academic challenges through international group projects supervised by academics.
“The lectures on AI and data-driven education really inspired me and this academic year I have explored these themes more deeply in my university studies, particularly in modules related to machine learning and data analytics. This was compounded by my experience of life in the major technical hub of Wuhan, where I had the chance to visit globally focused tech environments such as Baidu.”
Sophie Jennings (Computer Science BSc) said “I’m confident that my experience in China will make my CV stand out. This unique experience not only furthered my academic knowledge, but also my personal growth. I’ve also been more proactive in building strong connections since my global exchange as I know how important it is.”
Thank you to our Global Opportunities partner organisations for their continued support.
To find out more about our short-term international experiences, visit the Global Opportunities website.