Icelandic student reflects on leadership course and life in Scotland
A leadership course is helping a student develop personal and professional skills for the future.
Dabbi Taylor, who’s originally from Iceland, was accepted onto the Council of Dean’s Student Leadership Programme (also known as #150Leaders) earlier this year. Dabbi has teamed up with more than 50 other health students from across the UK to develop his capabilities as a leader through role-modelling, reflection, networking and coaching.
Now in the final year of his BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree, Dabbi opened about his experience on the programme so far. He also spoke more broadly about his time at GCU, and how it has positively impacted him - particularly as an individual with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder):
Dabbi, just to start us off, how did you come to study at GCU?
“I moved to Scotland about seven years ago. I just came for a visit and there was this heatwave in Glasgow – it really tricked me! I decided to stay because I was at a strange point in my life. I was working in residential care and I wanted more experience. There’s a big focus on health and social care within Glasgow, and I decided that I wanted to come and experience that.
“One of the main barriers I met throughout working in residential care was that I really struggled to articulate the systemic issues young people were facing. I didn’t have the language, so I wanted to find a way of getting into University and having that academic knowledge – that’s how I found Occupational Therapy and GCU.
“I’d already been doing residential care for about four years in Iceland. I realised there were opportunities here in Scotland and quickly noticed there was also an excellent framework here to work within, whereas in Iceland we were just really trying things out.”
It certainly sounds like the weather really did trick you…have you enjoyed your time at GCU so far?
“It’s been fantastic for me. I’d actually applied a few times to GCU and was rejected. One of the lecturers, Shirley Morrison-Glancy, then emailed me to let me know there was an Occupational Therapy Support programme at Glasgow Clyde College. That gave me a pathway into University, because I didn’t have the grades at that point.
“I ended up being 32 years old when I started, so I was nervous, but I just fell in love with GCU. I got accepted straight into second year and it’s just been brilliant for me. As a person with neurodiversity, I found the teaching and inclusive nature of the University really inspiring.
“It’s not easy having ADHD but I think there has been a broader societal understanding of it over the last few years. Sometimes companies don’t practice what they preach in terms of representation, but GCU certainly does that.”
Why did you decide to apply to the #150Leaders Programme?
“As an adult learner coming back to University, I knew I wanted to try and grab every opportunity and inhale the overall experience. I had just done a leadership module as part of my degree last year and got a really good mark. I then saw #150Leaders advertised on social media and I felt it was the perfect opportunity, especially after just completing that module. I didn’t think there was any chance of me getting in so just wanted to see what would happen, but a few months later I got an email telling me I’d been accepted.”
Tell me a bit more about the Programme and what’s been involved so far?
“The #150Leaders Programme is for students in the Nursing and Allied Health Professions across the UK. The idea is to foster leadership within our area of expertise – it’s been amazing to meet all these other professionals from different backgrounds.
“We went into a two-day conference down in Manchester and despite previously doing the leadership module, I felt like I was putting on this mask where I felt like I had to channel my inner-Obama and be this effective leader. The truth is that’s very tiring. I’m never going to be him and I don’t want to be him.”
What did the conference involve?
“We were taught about these emerging leadership styles around inclusive leadership and compassionate leadership. I felt really empowered doing this, particularly with my ADHD, because it encourages authenticity and empathy. Leadership is about amplifying those qualities you have within you and bringing them out to push you forward as a leader while bringing others with you. Those are traits and values that I hold really close to me, both personally and professionally, as an Occupational Therapist.
“Masking is such a big thing for the neuro diverse population. You spend your whole life trying to fit in, and I was the same going to that conference, but now I feel differently. There’s so much value in knowing that you can just be yourself.”
What’s the next steps with the Programme?
“We will continue doing workshops and webinars. The biggest component away from that is a coaching scheme where they put you in touch with an industry leader who coaches you one-to-one.
“We basically work together to co-create an environment that helps both us develop. The beauty of it is that it’s not necessarily someone from the same background as you, so I could be paired with someone from a nursing background for example. It’s such an incredible opportunity because it allows you to see different sides of healthcare!”
“We also develop our own specific project, for example wellbeing or peer-support – it can be around whatever we want. This can be carried out in the University or workplace that we’re based and basically involves us applying the knowledge we’ve developed throughout the programme.”
Would you encourage other students to get involved in something like this alongside their studies?
“I’d absolutely encourage other students to get involved – 100%. Opportunities like this expand your perspective of the outside world, which can only be a bonus. I would say occupational balance is so important and taking that time for yourself is very important. My wife and I had to sit-down and schedule time for each other because it’s so important to do – balance is crucial but you have to make sure you keep yourself and your loved ones happy.
“I had to properly think about the decision to do this because it is a big time commitment alongside my dissertation. We’ve got a two year old, so it wasn’t a decision I took likely. However, the opportunity to be involved was too good to pass up.”
Do you feel this experience and coming to University as a mature student has benefitted you?
“I can safely say that I don’t feel like the same person. I’m not just saying that to talk up GCU, I really mean it. I think the mindset I’ve had of grabbing opportunities has been crucial for me. The more I’ve grabbed them the more they’ve presented themselves. The reason I’m even doing this interview now is because an opportunity was presented and I decided to go for it. I don’t think I’d have done anything like this before.”
In terms of the future, do you see yourself staying in Scotland?
“I grew up in Reykjavík so no matter where I was I could always look up and see a mountain. I now live in Simshill and when I go into my garden there’s this big range of hills. It feels a lot like home – there are so many amazing nature parks. I love it here, especially the nature and the people.
“I look forward to staying here and helping make a difference. I think there is a lot of work to be done in Scotland, especially with mental health for young people. This leadership course will give me the tools and better equip me to do that.”
Find out more about the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy course here
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter