Eloise
BEng Materials Science and Engineering
I spent the summer training on glaciers and in South America, which ultimately led me to take another gap year to pursue qualification for the Winter Olympics.
Studying a degree at Imperial College London is a challenge. But no challenge is too great for Materials Science student, Eloise, whose academic curiosity is matched by her passion and drive as an elite ski racer. Her journey reflects a blend of intellectual curiosity, resilience, and ambition – qualities that shape both her approach to materials engineering and her achievements on the global sporting stage.
I’m Eloise and I’m studying BEng Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial College London and, in my spare time, I’m an elite skier. Here’s a little bit about my journey to Imperial and how I’ve managed the demands of studying while representing Hong Kong at major events such as the Asian Winter Games, World Championships and, most recently, the Winter Olympics.
My journey to Imperial started with my interest in materials generally. As a discipline, Materials science stood out to me because it uniquely connects fundamental science with engineering, allowing me to explore how microscopic properties influence macroscopic behaviour and product distribution. When learning about a product, I enjoy understanding it from the inside out – from its microstructure and processing to its performance and eventual real-world application. That curiosity about how things work at every stage of their lifecycle is why I chose to study Materials.
I was drawn to Imperial not only because of its strong global reputation, but also due to the structure of its engineering programmes. The balance between theoretical understanding and practical application particularly appealed to me as I value developing both conceptual depth and hands-on problem-solving skills.
Additionally, studying in London is exciting for me; I thrive in dynamic city environments and the opportunities for industry exposure, networking and cultural experiences made Imperial an especially compelling choice.
Finding a sense of belonging at Imperial
I’ve loved my time at Imperial so far. Although I’m currently taking a gap year, the department has been incredibly supportive of my sporting journey and I’ve really clicked with the people here.
Everyone is always happy to help, and even when I was away competing, they made sure I could stay on top of my work by catching me up and helping me feel included. That support is a big reason why I’m such a fan of the community here.
I don’t have one standout moment since joining Imperial, but I’ve really enjoyed living in London. It’s such a diverse and lively city and I’ve loved exploring all the food and culture it has to offer.
I really enjoy the fact that Imperial offers such a diverse range of clubs and societies, from professional to recreational, and that there are always events happening. This makes it easy to try new things and explore different interests and avenues alongside academics. During my first year, I joined several societies including fencing and Formula Student and also took German classes.
I attended a range of career fairs and talks which helped me make new friends while also exploring potential opportunities and career paths.
I took a gap year after my A-levels to focus on ski training and during my first year I shifted my priorities slightly to adapt to university life and focus on my studies.
Journey from campus to the Winter Olympics
I took a gap year after my A-levels to focus on ski training and during my first year I shifted my priorities slightly to adapt to university life and focus on my studies.
However, I continued competing and took part in events such as the Asian Winter Games and World Championships where I achieved strong results.
Following my first year, I spent the summer training on glaciers and in South America which ultimately led me to take another gap year to pursue qualification for the Winter Olympics. This was a difficult decision as I had built strong relationships at Imperial and was enjoying my routine, while the prospect of qualifying to represent Hong Kong – with only one available quota and uncertain criteria – felt both exciting and terrifying.
Luckily my department was incredibly supportive throughout this process and allowed me time to make my decision.
In September, I chose to back myself and thankfully that decision paid off. It was a very rewarding but challenging eight months, where I was constantly travelling and rarely slept in the same place for more than a week while physically and mentally preparing for races.
I faced several setbacks, including a sprained ankle in October and, more critically, a dislocated shoulder a week before the qualification deadline in January, with only two weeks left to secure my spot. It was definitely a make-or-break moment but, through intentional recovery and strong mental preparation, I managed to qualify just a day before the deadline.
Laying foundations for the future
I’m still exploring my career options. A large portion of my time outside academics has been dedicated to training and ski racing, so I want to keep my options open. As I now plan to retire from competitive sport, I’m looking forward to returning to Imperial and focusing on my studies while exploring career paths where I can apply the skills I’ve developed through both my degree and elite sport.
Everyone is always happy to help, and even when I was away competing, they made sure I could stay on top of my work by catching me up and helping me feel included. That support is a big reason why I’m such a fan of the community here.
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