Alumni stories: Charlotte Megret, MSc Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education

'I learned as much from the courses as I did from the people'

The strong community that was built between students and staff was one of the reasons this programme exceeded my expectations. It was an intense 15 months where I learned as much from the courses as I did from the people. 

The combination of academic courses and practical courses (especially residential ones) created plenty of opportunities to observe and reflect on different teaching practices. The courses were all very different, and I thoroughly enjoyed that diversity as I believed they helped me reflect and improve my own practice.

The academic courses encouraged me to critically reflect on current practices in mainstream education and to develop creative ways to teach in, through, for and about nature. I also learned a great deal about academic writing and researching, something I was not sure I was ready to get back into. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the teaching staff provided ample support throughout the programme. 

On the practical courses, I developed outdoor skills both in terms of hard skills such as improving my paddle stroke, but also in terms of group management. 

Although not always facilitated, the programme is full of opportunities to reflect on teaching practices, and I would recommend seizing those opportunities to get the most from the practical courses.

'This programme can really make you change the way you think'

Something I am certainly bringing to my practice is how to combine outdoor activities with environmental education. This point was sometimes skillfully demonstrated by the teaching staff (for instance, when canoeing down the river while learning about the ecology of the place). Other times, it was absent but there were many opportunities to debate how environmental education could be woven into adventurous activities. This point ties in with the concept of place-based education, a theme which runs throughout most courses and which strongly resonated with me.

I would highly recommend this programme if you are looking to question and improve your current practice. Whether you are already in the field of outdoor education or not, this programme can really make you change the way you think.

The programme does a good job connecting students with the world of outdoor education in Scotland. They use their alumni network well and I met interesting people and organisations in the past 15 months. My decision to stay in Scotland after finishing my dissertation was a result of the bonds I created with the people on my course, but also with the place. Many students decided to work somewhere other than the UK after the course, but many also decided to stay. I believe the course prepares you for both but personally, it gave me the tools and desire to stay in Scotland.

'The most important thing is to seize opportunities to learn'

You should not expect to get UK governing bodies certifications. The course provides opportunities to experience the outdoors through various activities and courses, but they do not only aim at teaching ‘hard skills’. 

I believe that the most important thing is to seize opportunities to learn and reflect on teaching practices, even when it is not facilitated. I would also recommend fully committing to the community that will be created on your course as it tends to attract very interesting and inspiring people, both students and staff.