Althea Cyrille
St. Lucia
BSc(Hons) Marketing
It is never a very simply thing to leave your family, friends and everything that is familiar to you in the quest for a higher education. This is the dilema that many international students have to face coupled with keeping up with a mount of studies and maintaining good grades. I think i was fortunate to overcome many of my challenges and this was mainly due to the University of Wales, Newport. One of my favourite memory was meeting my tutor for the first time who said these simple words "no problem". I honestly believe this was the reason why I have a degree today. This was demonstrated by other lecturers saying, "you will make it Althea" after my two week ordeal of trying to decide whether I should quit and go back home.
That's just it! The lecturers take on roles outside of their job to ensure that students are happy. My favourite part of uni life is being able to knock on the lecturers office door and ask for advice when needed.
Well with this you many think that it is all about the friendliness of the lecturers. However, the programmes were very challenging. The constant ‘push’ for excellent work was very fascinating to me as it helped bring out the competitive nature of my personality and I am sure that any other international students can relate to me considering their decision to move so far away from home. Some of the courses such as business law, strategic management and innovative marketing were the most interesting as they provided all the necessary business knowledge and creativity required by employers and needed by any upcoming young professional looking to start a career in business. I think any employer would be happy to have a graduate from the University of Wales, Newport as the courses are designed and focused on their needs and the need of the ever changing economy.
The above challenges have been the driving force for me to continue my education and I have now been accepted onto the MBA programme. I look forward to spending another two years at Newport and feel I may be even more prepared to take on these new challenges as a graduate. I am hoping to gain strategic level thinking of business to possibly start my own business or work with a small start up company.
My only regret is not taking part in the many social activities offered at the University and hope I can do much more during my post graduate studies. (Hey with all that work who has time for basketball!!)