Lucy Binfield (The Shangri-La Institute)
Name: Lucy Binfield
Subject: International Innovation (Environmental Science)
Year Graduated: 2016
College: Graduate
Where are you now and what are you doing?
I live between Beijing and Shangri-La, Yunnan, a small city in rural China. I work in communication and strategy for a Chinese NGO, The Shangri-La Institute, that uses education and community empowerment as a tool for sustainable development and environmental change across China.
What would you like to do next?
I plan to stay in China working for another year or two, to see some of the projects through that I have started working on, and also to finish my Chinese language exams. After that I have a lot of ideas about what to do, from travelling to continuing my studies or exploring work opportunities around Asia.
Why did you choose to study at Lancaster?
I found out about the Msc in International Innovation, which offered a £16,000 bursary over eighteen months and offered a six month placement in China after completing an Msc in one of five departments including Environmental Science! It was a really interesting mix of postgraduate interdisciplinary study at a high level, cultural immersion and business experience, and of course the fact that it was fully funded made it more attractive… In addition, I grew up in the Lake District and loved living close to the mountains and lakes of my childhood and closer to my family after a few years living further away.
What was your favourite part of your degree and why?
I met some great friends for life on the course and of course the opportunity to travel and experience life in China for six months fully funded was amazing.
How do you think your time at Lancaster prepared you for what you’re currently doing?
Free evening classes in introductory Mandarin were provided as part of the course which ignited a spark of interest in the language without which I would not be able to do my current job. Being able to go out to China for six months in a supportive environment with a big group of friends and Lancaster University staff members on hand also made it much easier to make the leap to living and working here by myself!
What did you enjoy most about your time at Lancaster?
The Sports Centre is really well equipped and good value, including an awesome climbing wall. There are also loads of great places to cycle and run around the campus and town.
What advice would you give to current students?
Lancaster is a great place to live and the faculty are in general very supportive. There is space and time to get involved with whatever you feel like, just go for it.
