Simon Lorelli

Name: Simon Lorelli
Age: 23
Born: France
Lived in Scotland: Three years

Simon Lorelli first came to Scotland in 2002 as a student and he now works as a graduate engineer in Aberdeen for MCS, which provides engineering services to the offshore oil and gas subsea sector. 

Born in Brittany, Simon studied engineering in Nantes and it was there that he was encouraged to travel to the UK in order to further his education and improve his English language skills.

Simon applied to, and was accepted by, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh where he studied a Masters degree in mechanical engineering.

Simon said:

"It was my English teacher in Nantes who first suggested that I travel to the UK to continue with my studies, and as my English was limited I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to improve and to experience a different way of life.

"As a student, finance was a big issue for me and it was a major consideration when I was deciding where to go. One of the attractions of moving to Scotland was the support that I was eligible to receive from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

"SAAS helped to subsidise my tuition fees and had I moved to England I wouldn't have received the same support. Moving to Edinburgh was quite a daunting experience as I didn't know anyone but I soon settled in and made a lot of friends.

"Edinburgh is such a beautiful city and in comparison to other cities that I've visited around the UK I found the people to be very welcoming. As a foreigner in a strange place I felt extremely comfortable.

"When I graduated I did consider returning to France but there simply weren't the same job opportunities back home so I decided to stay and in September 2005 I moved to Aberdeen as a graduate engineer with MCS.

"I doubt that I would have had the opportunity to secure a similar job back home and I'm delighted that I'm able to stay and work in Scotland.

"Aberdeen is a great place. I only have to travel 10 minutes outside the city and I'm in the countryside which is absolutely stunning. Since I've been here I’ve done a lot of travelling and plan to do even more."

Information correct at June 2007