Chelsea chose to move from India to Bath to study BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science as she aimed to pursue a degree that complemented her own sporting aspirations.

Despite a serious injury just before relocating, Chelsea stayed on course and has since discovered a new love for the subject, opening up potential career pathways she’d never considered.

She told us all about her journey and where she hopes it will take her next.

Choosing a path that felt right

Coming from Mumbai, India, I’ve always known I wanted sport to be a big part of my life. I wanted it to be more than something I just did.

I was a sprinter throughout school, competing in the 100m and 200m. I found that sport gave me structure and motivation. When it came time to choose a degree, it wasn’t easy - in India, sports science isn’t a common path, and I knew I’d need to look elsewhere to find the kind of opportunities I was searching for.

My brother had studied in the UK, so I already had some idea of the academic and sporting culture there. Even though I hadn’t visited, Bath stood out; everything I read about the facilities, the course content and the atmosphere made it feel like the right place.

Bath had the academic strength I was looking for, and the kind of athletics community I wanted to be part of.

A setback and a new perspective

Just before I arrived, I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). This is a serious knee injury and meant I could not compete or train.

It was devastating at the time, but in hindsight it shaped everything. That experience of being injured made me want to understand my own recovery and, eventually, help others with theirs. It gave real meaning to the subject I was about to study.

So even though I landed in a new country with no friends and a lot of uncertainty, I came with a purpose. I moved into Woodland Court with 15 other students from the UK and across the world and quickly realised everyone was in the same boat. That made it easier to connect. We all leaned on each other, and despite being shy, I found myself opening up, helped by a friendly environment and the supportive campus community.

I had not given much thought to whether I wanted a campus university, but looking back, I’m so glad I chose one. Bath’s campus is beautiful, calm, and safe, something that gave both me and my parents real peace of mind. In my first year, when I wasn’t able to take part in sport, it helped that the university wasn’t solely sport-focused and there were other things to get involved in. There was room to breathe and recover.

By second year, I was ready to explore more beyond the campus. In the city, I found my favourite cafés and green spots like the Royal Crescent. I also had time to explore the direction I was hoping to take.

Studying sport from the inside out

Once I started the course, I realised Sport and Exercise Science was so much broader than I had expected. Biomechanics, physiology, psychology – it all connects. The modules are diverse, and I’ve loved how hands-on the learning has been.

Labs stood out as a highlight. Although I remember struggling through one early on, the teaching staff were incredibly patient and helpful, and I was very tenacious about mastering what I needed to do! It taught me that support is always available here, you just have to ask.

As I got further into the course, I started to find ways to link what I was learning to my own experience. In second year, the Sports Medicine module I studied included content on ACL injuries. This was surreal, because I had recently lived through the exact recovery process we were studying. That kind of personal connection made the theory feel so much more real.

In my first year, everything personally was about rehab. But over time, I began thinking about how I might return to sport, or at least test myself in new ways.

I found HYROX, a fitness race that blends running with functional strength training.. Initially, I signed up to test my body for the first time post-injury - I wasn’t sure if I was even capable of completing it. It felt like a personal checkpoint, a chance to see where I stood physically and mentally. Training for it challenged me in new ways, and crossing the finish line gave me a huge sense of accomplishment. Now, I genuinely enjoy it and I’m currently deep into a training block for my next race.

Learning how to work

One of the reasons I chose Bath was the chance to do a professional placement. In the end, after much searching, I found mine at Go Perform, a sports injury clinic and human performance centre. I didn’t know a lot about placements beforehand, but the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences placement team and my advisor helped me through the process. It felt manageable and not something I had to figure out on my own.

From day one, it was a learning curve: early starts, a high-performing team and real responsibility. At first, I felt overwhelmed, but the environment was supportive, and the team encouraged me to ask questions and take initiative.

I began by shadowing, then gradually took on tasks like VO₂ max testing, lactate threshold testing, conducting skinfold assessments, force plate testing and delivering group sessions. I worked with the youth academy, helped coach strength and conditioning group sessions, and supported athletes of all levels – from elite professionals to those returning from injury. Being given that trust and exposure was a turning point for me.

All the lab experience, the anatomy and physiology knowledge – it wasn’t just theory anymore. I was using it in real time, with real people.

More confidence and what comes next

Where I was at the start of my placement and who I am now feel like two different people. I’m a lot more confident — not just in my knowledge, but overall life skills too.

Networking and having conversations with people in the industry has given me a clearer idea of the paths available and how the industry works. Strength and conditioning wasn’t something I’d thought about before. Being on placement has changed that and I’ve found real satisfaction in meeting and working with people from all backgrounds, and the coaching aspect has become something I’m seriously exploring now.

I feel clearer on what I want. I would love to create more opportunities for girls and women in sport — especially in places like India, where it’s still not seen as a typical path. Coming to Bath helped me find my voice and believe in that goal.

I know I am now better prepared for my final year. The placement and my experience have helped me find my preferred path, my confidence and direction.