Rodrigo's story
Photo credit - European Parliament
More than anything, I think my experiences at Sussex have shown me how much I’m motivated by empowering young people.” Rodrigo Sousa Pena
International Relations (with a professional placement year) BA
"When the time came to apply to university, I had no clue what subject to choose. My careers counsellor suggested I take some tests to figure out what I might want to do, and the results showed how passionate I am about working with people. I'm from Portugal, and after chatting things through with friends and family, international relations felt like a natural choice.
I applied to Sussex because of its excellent location. The campus is so peaceful, and you can watch beautiful sunsets on the South Downs. Public transport is excellent – you're so close to bus routes, train stations and Gatwick airport. I also fell in love with Brighton as a city, while Brighton and Hove Albion has now become my second football club!
I was also drawn to Sussex because my course offered placement opportunities where I could take a year to try something new and discover where I belonged. As I prepared for my placement, the encouraged me to be proactive, connect with different organisations, and send spontaneous applications, which helped me to secure an internship at the . The entire experience really opened my eyes to how much I love working in youth engagement, and writing a final reflective essay helped me to understand the skills I’d developed and the challenges I’d overcome.
Returning to Sussex for my final year felt a bit daunting as most of the people I’d known had already graduated, but I met so many people by securing a part-time role in the . As a Placement Connector for the , I supported students who were interested in pursuing Professional Placement Years by answering their questions and sharing my own experiences. I also participated in debates and activities, helped with events such as Open Days, and made so many friends. The programme not only developed my interpersonal and organisational skills, but I really felt as though I was helping people.
Throughout my time at Sussex, I was involved in a number of Students’ Union initiatives. I managed events for the Politics Society, and founded the Portuguese-Speaking Society to help more international students feel at home. I also participated in the Role Models Project, where I devised workshops for local schools around important social topics.
My degree developed my interest in European affairs, and I’ve since completed both a Masters in European Policy and a traineeship at the European Parliament. More than anything, I think my experiences at Sussex have shown me how much I’m motivated by empowering young people. The world can seem difficult and overwhelming at times, but helping them to make a positive difference is absolutely priceless.”