During my postgraduate degree I spent time in Sudan where I conducted research on their protracted crisis. Basing myself in the DFID country office I was able to make contacts with the United Nations, REDR and the World Food Programme who I interviewed in order to write my thesis. I have also previously spent time volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Barbados, learning about different cultures, health and the projects they ran. My current role as a Civil Contingencies Officer requires me to respond to emergencies and take part in a duty rosta system, which means being able to respond at any time, day or night.