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GO Student Ambassadors, International Placements

Meet the GO Ambassador 2026/27 – Ffiôn Edwards

11 September 2026
Global Opportunities Globetrotters

Global Opportunities Globetrotters

Name: Ffiôn Edwards
School, degree programme and year of study: School of Bioscience, Biomedical Science, Year 3
Host destination: Illinois, United States


Your experience abroad

Tell us about your global opportunity—where did you go, and what did you do?
Professional Training Year (PTY) Placement, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Key activities included; executing invasion assays with a 3 layered fibrin-embedding method, contributing to drug studies, establishing cryopreservation workflows for long-term tumouroid storage and viability.


What surprised you the most about your host country/programme/time abroad?
What surprised me most was that, despite the absence of a language barrier, I still experienced significant culture shock. This included extreme weather events like flash floods and frequent tornadoes, which were entirely new to me. I was also struck by the enormous portion sizes in restaurants, and I quickly learned to appreciate just how fortunate those with air conditioning truly are. What a godsend!

 

What is the one thing you miss about your time abroad?
What I will miss most is the air conditioning, though certainly not the freezing weather that dipped below -20°C! Beyond that, I will miss the immersive lab environment and the opportunity to work in a research setting on a daily basis, as well as the wonderful people I had the chance to collaborate with.


A bit about you!

What’s something you’re passionate about outside of your studies?
Outside of my studies, I’m passionate about painting, video games, and manga. Especially fantasy and isekai genres. I love getting lost in rich, imaginative worlds, whether I’m playing through an epic RPG or reading a manga about someone being transported to another realm.
 
What’s your favourite place on campus/in Cardiff?
The Students’ Union. Its central location makes it incredibly convenient, close to my lecture buildings, the train station, and bus stop. Plus, you can’t beat popping in for a cheeky Greggs sausage roll!


If you could live anywhere in the world for a year (a dream destination), where would it be—and why?
Without a doubt, Japan. The culture fascinates me, everything from the traditions and cuisine to the pop culture and etiquette. The scenery is stunning, whether it’s the cherry blossoms in spring or the snowy landscapes. I’ve also been learning Japanese for three years, so living there for a year would be the ultimate chance to become fluent and experience daily life beyond the tourist trail.

What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I used to play rugby on an all-boys team, and they definitely didn’t take it easy on me. I still remember getting trampled in a scrum and ending up with a bloody nose… and being the happiest kid on the pitch.

Reflections and Advice

Describe your global experience in three words
Unforgettable. Surprising. Worth-it.

What advice would you give to students considering a global opportunity?
My advice is don’t let fear hold you back, and don’t let illness or disability make you think it’s not even a possibility. If there’s a will, there’s a way, and you’re more capable than you think. Sure, it might require more planning, but it is absolutely possible! and it’s so worth it.