Emilio Rincon

Hola! My name is Emilio Rello Rincón, and I am from Mexico City, one of the most populated cities in the world. My mother is from Colombia, so I am also familiar with its culture and food. I am currently pursuing the MEng in Transport Planning and Engineering at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), recognized worldwide in the transport sector.

One of the things that I like the most about the University of Leeds is its diversity and the opportunities to learn from other cultures...

As an undergraduate, I studied Civil Engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). During my studies, I had the opportunity to study abroad for 6 months at the Technical University of Munich, in Germany, and study English and German in Seattle (U.S.) and Düsseldorf (Germany). These experiences were life-changing and big motivations to pursue my Master abroad, because they enrich your mind in every possible way: culture, food, language, traditions, innovation, etc. After graduation, I worked for almost five years on various transport and mobility projects in Mexico at an NGO called the Institute for Transport and Development Policies (ITDP). I am now back at university with a better understanding of my field of study and being able to take the most out of the lectures and the expertise of the lecturers and classmates.

The Institute for Transport Studies is the UK's leading department for transport teaching and research. One of the things I like the most about ITS is the diversity it has, both in areas of study and in cultural and professional backgrounds of lecturers, researchers and students. The area of study I am most interested in is transport modelling for public transportation. One fact about Leeds is that it is historically known as the largest city in Western Europe without a light rail or metro-style system. To improve urban mobility, the city is planning and designing the first Tram route as part of the mass transit vision for 2040. So, if you are interested in these topics, Leeds is a great place to come to study and experience first-hand.

One of the things that I like the most about the University of Leeds is its diversity and the opportunities to learn from other cultures

To be more involved within my school, I applied and was selected to be a School Representative at ITS. As a School Rep, I will be gathering feedback from current students on relevant issues and presenting them at university meetings. Within this role, I want to positively impact the students at ITS and also develop new transferable skills.

One of the things that I like the most about the University of Leeds is its diversity and the opportunities to learn from other cultures, so if you have questions or concerns about how difficult it is to settle in in the UK, reach me out, but I can tell you a big part of us went through those concerns, and we survive and are enjoying it so much.

In terms of scholarships, I was awarded with two of them. The first one is the International Excellence Scholarship from the university, and the other one is the GREAT scholarship from the British Council. I also have a loan from a Mexican organisation (FUNED) to complete my funding, which has an agreement with the university to have a 25% reduction in the tuition fees.
In my free time, I love to do sports and outdoor activities. Although the Master's is challenging and you will develop good time management skills, I recommend you to look at the more than 300 clubs and societies and give them a try in the first weeks to decide which one or ones you want to be part of (also check the membership costs). Myself, I tried salsa, volleyball, rowing and kayaking. Leeds has an amazing gym as well (The Edge) and if you live in a Student Accommodation, you have free access in the mornings during the week and full access on weekends. I live in St Mark’s Residence, where I have my own bathroom and share a kitchen, living room and amenities like a washing machine/dryer with 5 people. It is very close to the north of campus: 5 min walking to the Civil Engineering building and a maximum walking distance of 15 min to the furthest lecture rooms. I rented a bicycle from the Bike Hub at the University. It is a great deal (£22 for 3 months, and it includes lights and a D-lock).

If you are interested in asking any questions regarding my experience or knowing more about the University of Leeds, feel free to message me on Unibuddy or email me at emilio-link@leeds.ac.uk. I am here to help you.