Propelling global opportunities
A year abroad changed everything for Igor: hands-on satellite research, travel across the US, and a newfound passion for space research — all made possible by donors like you.
For Aerospace Engineering graduate Igor Panfil (Class of 2025), financial barriers might have kept his dreams grounded. But thanks to the generosity of donors like you, he seized the chance to spend a year at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The experience didn’t just enrich Igor’s degree; it fundamentally reshaped his future plans.
Why did you choose to take a year abroad?
The chance to study overseas was a key motivator for choosing my course at Sheffield. I always wanted to go to the US because it’s a powerhouse for aerospace engineering, and knew immersing myself in that environment - specifically at Missouri S&T - would give me unmatched exposure to the field.
What was the highlight of your experience?
Being part of a student-led satellite research team was an incredible, hands-on experience I’d never had before. We designed and created a satellite that was eventually launched into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Also, all the research opportunities I had in the US meant my CV practically doubled in length!
How did a grant from the International Opportunities fund help you?
Without it my experience would have been significantly more limited. Instead of just sitting in my room and going to lectures, the funding allowed me to seize every opportunity. It meant I could travel widely with new friends, visiting places like Chicago, San Francisco, and Texas. These trips weren’t just holidays; I truly grew as a person and now see the world from a completely different perspective.
How has studying abroad shaped your long-term plans?
It changed everything, giving me the chance to discover a passion for research I didn’t know I had. I’m now doing a space-related PhD here at Sheffield and have been accepted onto European Space Agency training in Belgium, which I’m excited about. I don’t think I would have secured that - or even made the decision to pursue a career in research - without the experience I gained in the US. I’m very happy I chose this path and so grateful to the donors who helped make it possible.
Opportunity for all
Igor’s story reminds us that a global opportunity is so much more than a stamp in a passport. For many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the cost of travel is a barrier to discovering their true calling. Your support ensures that talent, not finances, determines how far our students can go.
Thanks to you...
- 233 students travelled to 38 countries last year.
- 74% of students said their year abroad was only possible because of the funding they received.
- 97% of students returned from their time abroad with a transformed sense of self-confidence.