My name is Vasileios Mitsopoulos and I come from Greece from a small city named Amfissa. I studied Civil Engineering in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After finishing my mandatory military services, I moved to London to improve my English skills and also find and attend great events. I really enjoy swimming and playing volleyball. Moreover, I am a clarinet player for the local philharmonic and I enjoy watching action films.
Why did you choose to do your MSc with us?
Because I was looking for a MSc in Materials at the time after I finished my studies due to the variety of knowledge and multi-disciplinary themes it offers. Another important reason to highlight is the reputation of Imperial College, especially in the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the opportunity it offers to further expand your knowledge using the latest techniques in the new laboratories they offer (Advanced Materials laboratory).
What are you hoping to do after your studies?
I would like to develop my career as Civil Engineer focusing in the Research and Development sector of the industry.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Usually, I spend 9 hours per day at Imperial, in order to attend classes and also do my own study along with the corresponding coursework. This does not really allow much free time, but since we have no classes on Wednesday afternoons it leaves room for other activities as well. After leaving College I like going out for dinner with my friends and also exercising for an hour every other day in the gym of my residence hall. Every Friday it is nice to head to the local pubs to get some well-deserved beer!
What have the highlights been so far?
The main one is the opportunity to work with fantastic people from different backgrounds and nationalities. This multi-national environment is preparing me for my career as an engineer in the real world. If I compare the education that I received in Greece, Imperial is giving me a far better training for becoming a successful Civil Engineer. Imperial has the newest Advanced Materials laboratory where the MSc students are allowed and encouraged to use those great facilities. Thus, the combination of both the theoretical background along with the experimental one makes the difference with any other university.
What advice would you give to someone considering doing an MSc with us?
If you would like to improve your knowledge in Advanced Materials for Infrastructure applications and become a successful and top engineer, definitely go for Imperial College. It will not be easy but it is totally worth it! You will need to do your best since you are in one of the best universities in the world, but you will never forget the experience and friends you make there.