Student story: A tech enthusiasts’ perspective

Meet Hayk, whose curiosity and passion for new technologies and how things work have defined his journey into engineering. From tinkering with gadgets to engaging in smart city projects, Hayk embodies the hands-on and interdisciplinary ethos that TEDI-London is all about.

Tell us about your educational background 

I studied Physics, Computer Science, and Psychology at A-Level. My interest in computers and technology, along with a curiosity about how products are designed and developed, naturally led me to Engineering. I was also fascinated by psychology and its applications in product design. 

What drew you to engineering? 

From a young age I was always intrigued by how things worked. Starting with Lego, I always enjoyed making things then taking them apart again, building them back up step by step and trying to understand how everything went together. As I grew up, I worked on bigger things like furniture, computers and even cars. Always spending my spare time watching videos about new tech products, I kept wanting to learn how they worked and were made. I felt the best way for me to do that was to become an engineer at TEDI. 

Why did you choose TEDI-London? 

I had always heard stories about traditional lectures with little content, where people skipped all their classes and only a final exam determined their grade. I never thought that type of learning was effective for me. What attracted me to TEDI-London was the hands-on learning approach, where we create our own products, take apart existing ones, and innovate new solutions to existing problems. I was worried the course might lack depth, but that is definitely not the case. Through the online resources, we can tackle all the challenging topics at our own pace, with professors always available to message or meet in person. 

It doesn’t take long to get to know everyone, whether through working in a group or just meeting people in the communal café by the pool table. This means you never feel alone. 

What’s the student community like? 

As we are a smaller group compared to regular universities, we have a very tight-knit community. It doesn’t take long to get to know everyone, whether through working in a group or just meeting people in the communal café by the pool table. This means you never feel alone, and it’s incredibly easy to find friends and seek help. We often talk to students from other years, exchanging information and meeting up after class for drinks and food. 

How have the connections with King’s College London benefited you? 

I’ve used the KCLSU Maughan Library to study and meet people  and have attended King’s freshers’ parties and bars. Many of my friends have shared their experiences with the societies they’ve joined, from skiing to basketball, and how involved they are with the King’s students. 

Tell us about a memorable project you’ve worked on  

My most memorable project was for our Smart Cities module in the first year. We were tasked with working on the Canada Water Masterplan, designing new ways to collect and use data to optimise energy and space usage. Our group devised a method to generate electricity using the River Thames by employing the Greenland and South docks. We built acrylic tanks, sealed them watertight, ran pipes and a generator between them, and did a live demonstration of the generated electricity. 

Where do you see yourself in the future? 

After graduating, I plan to seek a career in automotive engineering. Whilst at TEDI, I’ve developed an interest in cars and automotive sports and am keen to learn more about them. I’ve always had a big interest in cutting-edge technology, computers, and electrical engineering. Depending on what I prefer later, I can choose any of these fields. The good thing about this course is that it doesn’t limit what I can do once I graduate; we have worked on mechanical, electrical, and even civil projects, so I am confident I will be able to pursue whatever I choose in the future. 

 

Read more student stories to learn about different journeys into engineering and what life at TEDI-London is like.