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GO Student Ambassadors, International Placements

Meet the GO Ambassador – Olivia Clarke

23 September 2026
Global Opportunities Globetrotters

Global Opportunities Globetrotters

Name: Olivia Clarke

School, degree programme and year of study:
School of Psychology, Undergraduate Psychology with a Professional Placement, Year 4

Host destination: Tokyo, Japan

 

Your experience abroad

Tell us about your global opportunity—where did you go, and what did you do?

I went to Keio University in Tokyo and worked in a developmental psychology laboratory. I attended academic seminars and postgraduate classes to experience the work environment of psychological researchers. As part of this, I also assisted in experiments with infants as young as 3-months old, and as old as 5 years.

What surprised you the most about your host country/programme/time abroad?
How cheap everything is! From food to entertainment, it was very affordable to go out and have fun and to socialise, compared to home.

What is the one thing you miss about your time abroad?
Accessible and reliable widespread public transport! The trains were a daily necessity and a new experience for me (as someone born and raised in Cardiff). And, of course, I will especially miss all the amazing people I met and spent the year with!

A bit about you!

What’s something you’re passionate about outside of your studies?

Reading and playing video games! I really enjoy the comfort in quietly reading a good book, but also getting lost into a game – either by myself or w
ith others.
 

What’s your favourite place on campus/in Cardiff?

The Main Building, especially the Science library! I think the building is really old and cool, and I wish more of the university looked like it.

 

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year (a dream destination), where would it be—and why?
Sweden! I love the winter, and after experiencing the summer humidity of Japan, I’m definitely leaning more towards colder climates for the future!

What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I play and teach the flute!

Reflections and Advice

Describe your global experience in three words
Enriching, Motivating, Fun.


What advice would you give to students considering a global opportunity?

Do it! But also do lots of research (on your potential destination)! There’s a lot of paperwork that you may need to fill out once arriving that is not always explained up front by rental agencies or embassies, so it’s good to have a check list of absolutely everything you need to do! Have fun, but be prepared 🙂