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9 May

Studying Public Health and Health Promotion at RGU

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After working as a pharmacist in Ghana, Adanna Blessing chose to move to Aberdeen to study a master’s in Public Health and Health Promotion to be better equipped to advocate for women and children’s health. She shares her experience as a student, from the learning environment and volunteering opportunities to the new things she discovered in Aberdeen.

A bit about me and my career

RGU has been a place of new beginnings for me — moving to a new country, meeting new people, and trying things I never thought I would.

My name is Adanna Blessing Okonkwo, and I like to think of myself as a paradox — both boring and interesting at the same time. Boring because I enjoy my own company and the quiet days, but interesting because once I’m with my people, I’m a social butterfly! I’m Nigerian by blood but Ghanaian at heart, having lived most of my life in Ghana. I’m a pharmacist by profession, with experience working in community pharmacies, sales, and marketing back home.

I chose to study MSc Public Health and Health Promotion at RGU because of a deep passion for advocating for women and children’s health. During my pharmacy career, I realised I wanted to contribute more to improving health outcomes — especially for women and children. I started researching if there were pharmacy specialties in that area, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for in the way I envisioned it. Thankfully, I was directed to public health by great people, and it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

My experience studying at RGU

The highlight of my degree has been how much my perspective on healthcare has broadened. I’ve learned about how healthcare systems work in first-world countries; inspiring me to one day contribute to improving health systems back home. One thing that really stood out to me was the concept of collective leadership — the idea that communities thrive when everyone is involved in decision-making. I also discovered an interest in project management during my course, which I’m excited to explore further in my career. 

Beyond academics, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Denis Law Legacy Trust and HALLA Breakfast Club, both of which gave me first-hand experience in community health initiatives and reinforced my commitment to public health advocacy.

Studying in Aberdeen has been a lovely experience. RGU genuinely cares about its students — from wellbeing services to career counselling, study skills sessions, and very supportive lecturers who genuinely want you to succeed. The city itself is calm and friendly — perfect for studying. I’ve found myself doing things I never thought I would, like ice skating for the first time (luckily, I didn’t fall) and starting my fitness journey at the RGU gym with my free student membership. I also enjoy walking by the River Dee or Aberdeen beach during my free time.

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my family and friends. I am truly grateful for them.

Looking towards the future

This course has set the foundation for my career in public health. I’m eager to work on projects that empower women to take control of their health while combining public health knowledge with project management skills. The journey is still unfolding, but I’m excited to take bold steps towards becoming a Global Health Advocate — one project at a time.

To anyone considering studying at RGU — take the leap! It’s a journey of learning, self-discovery, and endless possibilities.

Adanna Blessing Okonkwo

Related blogs

My Pharmacy journey so far at RGU

My experience studying the new MSc Healthcare Leadership at RGU

The post Studying Public Health and Health Promotion at RGU appeared first on RGU Student Blog.

7 May

Top tips to finding accommodation in Aberdeen as a student

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With the academic year coming to an end for many students, it will now be time to pack up and find somewhere new to live in September if you are going back to university. RGU ResLife shared with us five top tips to finding accommodation in Aberdeen to make the process less daunting.

1. Decide on the type of accommodation

There are different options for student accommodation in Aberdeen depending on what you’re looking for. You can decide to live in RGU Halls, even if you’re not in first year, in private student accommodation, or in a rented flat.

We have four accommodation sites for RGU students, either in the city centre, on campus, or in between. Living in RGU halls means you can stay with your current flatmates if you wish to, or move in with new students, with excellent support from our ResLife team.

Living in private halls can create a diverse dynamic, as you will likely be living with other students from RGU, the University of Aberdeen and North East Scotland College. But please remember that, contrary to RGU accommodation, not all private student accommodation will release you from your lease if you decide not to enrol at university or withdraw during your studies. Always check details of termination conditions in your lease document.

Finally, you can choose to look at the private rented sector. If you like your privacy and want to live alone, that could be a great option, but you can also get a rented flat with a group of friends, providing you all agree on location and budget.

2. Choose your preferred area

Speaking of location, finding where you want to leave should be next on your to-do list when looking for a new accommodation!

Do you want to be in the city centre close to the shops, nightlife, and part-time job opportunities or would you prefer a quieter area near the RGU campus? Looking at the following postcodes can help narrow your search:

  • Garthdee and most city centre properties should have an AB10 postcode.
  • Rosemount is a popular quiet residential neighbourhood in the AB25 postcode area which is not far from the city centre.
  • AB11 and AB12 postcodes include the neighbourhoods Ferryhill, Bon Accord and Footdee, which are close to the city centre and offer easy access to campus via bus.
Rosemount
Footdee
Union Street (City Centre)

All postcodes will include areas that can be further away and might not be near a bus route to campus, so make sure to look on Google Maps to check the location. Viewing properties is also highly recommended so you can check out the neighbourhoods!

3. Figure out your budget

Before looking for a property, you will need to decide your budget. Remember to look at the bigger picture when budgeting your finances, so factor in bills such as electricity, gas, WI-Fi, TV Licence and other applicable expenses on top of your rent.

Most student accommodation, both RGU and private, will include the rent, utilities, and internet bill in the weekly cost, making it easier to budget. If you’re renting from the private sector, look at the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to get an indication of how high your energy bills will be. An A rating will likely lead to lower costs, whereas a G rating is likely to cost you more.

And don’t forget that that you will likely need to pay the deposit and first month’s rent upfront, so make sure you have money set aside for that. However, as a full-time student, you will be exempt from paying council tax, which will save you a good chunk of money.

4. Start your search

Once you have considered how you want to live, who you want to live with, and where you want to live, you can begin your search. The internet is your friend here, so start with a simple online search. You can find information about RGU accommodation on our website, and for private flats, a good place to start is the Alternative Accommodation page also on the RGU website, which will give you useful links.

RGU:Move Facebook Group is a public group where you can find available flats or rooms to rent in Aberdeen. Students, landlords, and letting agents can all post in the group.

For a more traditional approach, you can visit letting agents in person and tell them what location you want to live in, what your budget is, how many bedrooms you need, as well as any other requirements you may have and they will be able to tell you what properties on the market meet your criteria.

As mentioned previously, arranging a viewing once you found some suitable options is highly recommended so you can check the standard of the property and ask all the relevant questions before signing anything.

5. Look out for scams

While searching for a property, make sure you don’t fall for a scam that could end up costing you a lot of money. For example, if a property is significantly cheaper than others on the market, it might indeed be too good to be true! Here are some other things to remember to stay safe:

  • Use reputable property listing websites and agencies.
  • Verify the Landlord or Agent by asking for identification, contact details, and registration number.
  • Be cautious of Landlords or Agents avoiding in person meetings, and who insist on communicating via text or messaging apps rather than email.
  • Don’t pay a large sum of money upfront without proper documentation and only use trusted payment methods such as bank transfers.

Most importantly: trust your instincts. If something feels off, investigate further or walk away.

After all these steps, you will be ready to sign your lease for the new academic year! More information on all the points above and also information about signing your lease and support services are available on ResLife’s Moving-On Guide.

Do give it a read before you start the process, and good luck in your search!

Related blogs

Home away from home: Living in student accommodation at RGU

Living in RGU accommodation: My experience as an international student

My top 5 tips for moving into student accommodation

The post Top tips to finding accommodation in Aberdeen as a student appeared first on RGU Student Blog.

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