Top scholarship for psychology student Robyn
ADEDICATED volunteer who has led the way in studying abroad has been awarded a prestigious scholarship.
Robyn Ashfield, from Accrington, has just completed a three-year BSc in psychology.
She received the £2,000 award at her graduation ceremony in recognition of her extensive volunteering and active role in promoting study abroad to her classmates.
The Edge Hill University Scholarship celebrates students who help to raise the profile of the university in a positive way through their exceptional contribution to the university.
Robyn was nominated for the award as ‘a shining example of the extra-curricular work and volunteering done by Edge Hill students’,
She worked in Ghana as a volunteer in 2017 and took part in the Manchester Memory Walk and Ready Set Glow Memory Walk with the Alzheimer’s Society in 2018 and 2019 – all while volunteering at the WISH Centre in Blackburn.
She said: “When I received the scholarship I was so overwhelmed and very pleased, as together
with graduating it felt like all my hard work had paid off.
“The amount of support I have received from the staff has been incredible, specifically from the psychology department and the international office.”
As a trailblazer for exploring study abroad, Robyn was the first student from the psychology department to undertake a placement via the Erasmus+ programme, at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Edge Hill bosses said this has led the way for more students taking up study abroad as an opportunity, with at least four students participating in the following academic year, and further interest from current first years.
Senior lecturer Dr Adam Qureshi said: “Robyn showed great initiative to be the first psychology student to study abroad on the Erasmus+ programme, and continued her charity work for the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK and by fundraising for the Autistic Society and the Stroke Association whilst in Lithuania.
“She has taken the opportunity to broaden her horizons while at Edge Hill and has led the way for other students in studying abroad.”