Education and School Administration postgraduate degrees in Scotland

Personal Reflection on My Experience at the University of Aberdeen (2024–2025) My time at the University of Aberdeen, in the Artificial Intelligence Department, began with great optimism. I was eager to immerse myself in advanced topics such as machine learning, data science, and intelligent systems, and to learn from experienced lecturers and researchers. The environment initially felt welcoming and intellectually stimulating. However, my experience changed after a difficult interaction with one of my lecturers, who also served as the course coordinator for Machine Learning. I approached him respectfully to discuss a grading issue I had identified in one of my assessments. After review, he acknowledged the marking mistake. Although I appreciated his honesty in admitting the error, this incident unexpectedly affected the atmosphere around me. Over time, I began to feel a noticeable shift in how some people treated me. Certain lecturers and fellow students appeared distant, and a few even avoided interacting with me. On several occasions, I was excluded from group projects because some classmates declined to have me join their teams. This created a deep sense of isolation and disappointment, and I often found myself suffering in silence throughout my academic journey. Despite these challenges, I made a determined effort to remain focused on my studies and uphold my commitment to learning. I continued to engage with coursework, contribute meaningfully wherever possible, and seek knowledge beyond the classroom. Through this experience, I learned to rely on my inner strength, discipline, and integrity. Looking back, this period taught me profound lessons about resilience, fairness, and self-belief. It showed me that adversity, while painful, can also be transformative. I now carry forward not just the technical skills I gained, but also a deeper sense of empathy and the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.