'Studying in the UK launched my career—from journalism to science communication at NASA'

Raquel Villanueva earned her master’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Westminster in London in 2009. Originally from the US, she chose to study in the UK because of its immersive, hands-on approach to journalism, which shaped her ability to craft compelling stories and think on her feet.

Since graduating, she has worked with Comedy Central, the BBC, and KUSA-TV, among other networks, and she now works as a commentator and video producer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles, where she brings complex scientific missions to life for global audiences. In recognition of her contributions to media and storytelling, she was named the US winner of the Study UK Alumni Awards in the Culture and Creativity category in 2024.

Read on to discover how studying in the UK helped her build a career that blends journalism, creativity, and science communication.

'When I first decided to study in the UK, I didn't realise how much it would shape my future'

When I first decided to study in the UK, I didn’t fully realise how much it would shape my future. It was more than just an academic experience—it became a defining moment in my personal and professional journey. A decade later, I can still trace many of my choices back to those early experiences abroad. From studying journalism to working in TV and now producing video content at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the skills I developed in the UK shaped my approach to storytelling in journalism, and over time, that foundation helped me transition into science communication.

'In the UK, the approach to learning was so hands-on'

Studying in the UK was completely different from my experience in the US. Back home, I was used to following a set curriculum—completing assignments, turning them in, and moving on. In the UK, it was up to me to shape my own learning. If you were passionate about what you were studying, you could build an incredible portfolio of work, but you had to have the motivation to drive yourself forward. I loved that.

My international broadcast journalism programme was hands-on from day one. Instead of just learning theory, it was all about independence—I had to find the stories, conduct the interviews, edit the footage, and present the final piece. It wasn’t about waiting for instructions; it was about taking ownership. At the University of Westminster, where I had studied abroad during my undergraduate degree, there was a strong emphasis on developing your own perspective. We weren’t just expected to absorb information—we were expected to analyse, challenge, and present our own viewpoints. That process shaped the way I communicate and how I see the world.

'London taught me to navigate uncertainty, trust my instincts, and create opportunities for myself'

One of the biggest lessons I took from my UK education was learning how to handle rejection. As a journalist, you can have the perfect plan—an amazing story idea, a key interview lined up—but things don’t always go as expected. I had to learn how to take a no, pivot quickly, and rework my approach on the fly. That’s a skill I use every day in my career.

More than anything, my time in London taught me how to navigate uncertainty, trust my instincts, and create opportunities for myself. The ability to think independently, adapt, and push through challenges has stayed with me long after university, shaping not just my career, but the way I approach everything I do.

‘In London, I could do my master’s in only one year and move forward quickly in my career'

One of the biggest factors that drew me back to the UK for my master’s was the programme’s structure. In the US, most master’s degrees take two years and come with a high price tag. In London, I could complete my degree in just one year, and when I considered tuition, accommodation, and living costs, it still cost less than a single semester at my undergraduate university in the US.

I couldn’t see myself delaying my career by another two years of education. After completing three majors and a minor, I was ready to apply my skills and move forward. A one-year master's programme gave me the practical experience I needed while allowing me to transition into my career much faster.

'During my degree, I was surrounded by people from all over the world'

One of the most unique aspects of studying in London wasn’t just being in the UK—it was being surrounded by people from all over the world. My international broadcast journalism programme truly lived up to its name. I was one of the only Americans in my course, and my classmates came from almost every continent. It was both exciting and intimidating at first.

I had spent summers in Bolivia with my father’s side of the family when I was younger, so I was familiar with navigating different cultures, but studying alongside people from such diverse backgrounds was something new. What I quickly realised was that, despite our different nationalities, we had so much in common. We shared the same sense of humour, the same interests, and we became each other’s support system. London gave me the opportunity to learn from people with completely different perspectives, and that experience has been invaluable throughout my career.

'In the UK, I learned how to collaborate across cultures'

Beyond friendships, working in such a diverse group taught me how to collaborate across cultures. One of our projects involved running a news website as a team—taking turns as editors, uploading articles, creating videos, and managing the entire newsroom. It was an incredible experience that pushed us to adapt to different working styles and learn from each other.

That ability to find common ground, communicate effectively, and embrace different perspectives has stayed with me in every job I’ve had since. Whether I’m working with journalists, scientists, or engineers, I always think back to those lessons from my time in London: approach every situation with curiosity, keep an open mind, and recognise that differences often lead to the most meaningful collaborations.

'Storytelling isn't about perfection—it's about authenticity'

One of the biggest lessons I learned during my career in journalism—and something that started during my time in London—was letting go of perfectionism. I used to think that every line had to be delivered flawlessly, that if I didn’t phrase something exactly right, it wasn’t worth saying at all. But in journalism, and especially in broadcast, that mindset can hold you back.

London, with its fast-paced energy and diverse creative scene, pushed me to be more spontaneous. I had to get comfortable with thinking on my feet, trusting my instincts, and understanding that storytelling isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity. If I waited for the perfect moment, the perfect wording, I’d miss the story entirely.

I learned that people connect more with realness than with polished perfection. Whether it was recording a segment for a news piece, conducting an interview, or later, presenting space missions to global audiences, I had to remind myself: this isn’t about me—it’s about the people watching, the people learning from this. When I focused on that, I could let go of the pressure and just tell the story.

Before any big event, I still take time to mentally prepare. I immerse myself in what I’m about to do—whether it’s a live broadcast or a high-stakes interview—so that when the moment comes, I can be fully present. And when it’s done, I take a step back, reset, and then gear up for the next thing. That’s something I first learned as a student in London, running across the city chasing stories, and it’s something I still carry with me today.

'I've been able to embrace my identity and Latin American roots in my career'

My father’s side of the family is from La Paz, Bolivia, and growing up, I spent about three or four months there every other summer. It’s a huge part of my identity and culture.

When I had the chance to work on NASA en Español, bringing Spanish-language programming to new audiences eager to learn about space missions in their own language, I knew I had to do it, but it was intimidating. I had only ever spoken Spanish at home, conversationally, where mistakes didn’t matter. If I mispronounced something, or my grammar was a little off, it wasn't a problem. But when I started doing that, as it was part of my work, I had to be precise and technical.

What helped was realising I wasn’t alone. I met other scientists and engineers who also struggled with finding the right words for complex concepts and highly technical language in Spanish. We had common ground, and as scary as it could be, it pushed me to improve and refocused me. I’m still working on my pronunciation, still studying because I know how much this representation matters and impacts people.

'If you're thinking about studying in the UK, go into it with an open mind and great things will happen'

If you’re considering studying in the UK, here are a few things to keep in mind. Start your application early. I found it easier to apply to a university in the UK than I did in the US. I didn't have to take any standardised tests (like the GRE) as I could just apply directly through the university. But visas can take time. If I could give anyone any advice, give yourself plenty of time.

I also recommend that you look into scholarships. There are lots of resources, and people are there to help you. Many of my classmates accessed scholarships to support their studies.

Planning your finances is vital, too. Tuition in the UK is cheaper than many US private universities, but before you make a decision to go, make sure you have enough funds both for tuition and any additional costs that you'll have to pay when you are living and studying in the UK. These are things you have to ask yourself and consider ahead of time.

And finally, be open to new experiences. Whether it’s making friends from different cultures, trying new foods, or taking an unexpected course on your degree, fully embrace the opportunities that come your way.