Q&A with Kevin, a qualified clinical psychologist from Barbados (at University of Plymouth)

Coming to the fourth Q&A blogpost, we are thrilled to have Kevin, a qualified international clinical psychologist from University of Plymouth to share with us his experience and reflections on his journey to and during training.

1. Where are you from? (Or how would you describe your cultural heritage?)

Barbados, Black Caribbean.

2. Which university and year are you in?

University of Plymouth, just finished, so outgoing 3rd year. (NB: Kevin is now qualified at the time when this article is published).

3. What made you choose the university you are at now?Eg. Their ethos? Lower tuition fees? The city it is in? The interview experience? You got accepted and had no other options?

I wish I could say this was an active choice in my part, but my choices of courses were limited by international funding restrictions and UoP was the only course from which I received an offer.

4. Do you have a master's degree?If yes, which field is it in? Where did you do it? Why did you do a masters? If no, what made you decide not to study masters?

I did the MSc Foundations in Clinical Neuropsychology at Bangor University from 2012 to 2013.

5. What work experience do you have prior to the training? Both voluntary and paid work are counted (starting from the most recent in chronological order)

Clinical experience (if any): e.g. assistant psychologist, research assistant in

clinical settings, volunteer at clinics or hospitals, …

- Intern and Neuropsychology Assistant in a private Neuropsychology clinic in Barbados

- Participated in the multidisciplinary ward rounds on the stroke unit in Barbados

6. Is there any funding or scholarship you have applied for or known of, from your country?

My tuition was paid for by a scholarship from my home government, a National Development Scholarship from the Ministry of Education in Barbados (open to Barbadian citizens/ residents).

7. Can you share a bit about your thesis and your reflections on the process and the findings?

I conducted a piece of research developing screening measures to assess for Alzheimer's Disease using a Spatial Navigation paradigm. Major reflection, take things in chunks, if ethics is within your control, do this as early as possible. Good supervision is critical. Make use of this, do not feel like to have to have things figured out completely or need to show significant progress each time you meet your supervisor. Sometimes just talking through ideas and concerns is reason enough.

Remarks:

Thank you Kevin for so kindly sharing with us his reflections on his journey. As mentioned by Kevin and also in the previous interview with Ayse, there might be scholarships available in your home country or the universities that you are applying to, feel free to query related personnel (usually Department of Education in your home country, or Funding/ Finance Department in the desired universities) for more information.