Kalpani Jayarathne

Recent MSc Environmental Management graduate Kalpani Jayarathne is preparing to take the next major step in her academic journey as she pursues a PhD in Mangrove Restoration and Blue Carbon Accounting at CQ University Australia.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Kalpani joined GCU London in January 2023 with a background in Fisheries and Marine Science and a long-held dream.

“Coming to the UK, specifically to London, has always been a dream for me,” she said. “I grew up wanting to visit iconic places like the London Eye, the British Museum, and Big Ben. So, when I had the chance to study here, I didn’t hesitate.”

That dream turned into a meaningful academic and personal journey. Kalpani chose GCU London for its strong sustainability focus and was drawn to the MSc Environmental Management programme for its practical and global relevance. She quickly discovered that while moving to a new country and adapting to a different education system was a challenge, the experience was empowering.

“At first, I was nervous about adjusting to a new environment,” she explained. “But the academic staff were so supportive, and I made great friends. The combination of group work, presentations, and opportunities to develop public speaking really helped me grow.”

One of the most impactful moments from her time on the programme was a field trip to the River Thames to visit the Thames Barrier, a vital piece of sustainable infrastructure protecting London from tidal flooding.

“I never would have had the opportunity to study something like this in my previous degree,” she said. “It opened my eyes to the scale of environmental planning in urban settings and how important infrastructure like the Thames Barrier is to climate resilience. Even though it was freezing cold that day, I learned so much and really appreciated that our lecturers went out of their way to give us that experience.”

Kalpani also had the chance to present her research at the 2024 Student Sustainability Research Conference at Imperial College London, an international platform that further sparked her passion for environmental science.

With guidance from her lecturers, including Programme Leader Luka Vucinic and Dr Fatima Ajia, Kalpani began applying for PhDs while completing her dissertation. Though the process came with setbacks and rejections, she stayed committed.

“They helped me improve my scientific writing, prepare a professional CV, and even gave me interview advice. I applied to several programmes and eventually secured a place at CQUniversity.”

Her upcoming doctoral research will build directly on the foundation she built at GCU London, as well as her earlier studies and fieldwork in Ecology. As she prepares to move to Australia, she says her time as an international student in London gave her the confidence she needs to take on this new chapter.

“Studying abroad in the UK for the first time gave me the skills to adapt, be independent, and embrace new cultures. Now I feel ready and excited to move to another country and start this new journey.”

Looking ahead, Kalpani hopes to contribute globally to marine ecology while eventually bringing her expertise back home to Sri Lanka. She also hopes to create future collaboration opportunities between institutions like GCU London and her new university for future students.

To students considering a similar path, Kalpani offers this advice:
“Be passionate, stay persistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use platforms like LinkedIn, attend development sessions, and take advantage of the support at GCU, from the LLDC to your lecturers. Every step builds toward something bigger."