Why did you choose to study this Master’s course at The University of Manchester?

“Human Resource Management (International Development) postgraduate program offers multi-disciplinary learning approach that not only teaches us about human resource management theory, but also elaborates an international development context in developing countries. By acquiring this knowledge, I can elaborate various HRM context and practices in both public and private firms globally. With my previous professional experience as HR practitioner, I believe the course will enrich my knowledge and ability to overcome complex HR management and development challenges in my future workplace and contribute impact to the nation competitive advantage.”

How much time do you spend in classes and private study?

“The postgraduate program requires us to finish study in one year, which is relatively fast. I spend in average 3-4 days/week for in-class lecturing and tutorial session on campus, with each session lasting no longer than 3 hours. It is not much time to spend in class, however independent learning is a great deal when taking a Master’s degree program. I spend more time reading relevant literatures prior to the class session, during reading week, and assignment period to help myself understand the concept and context of particular topics well.”

What has been the highlight of your course so far?

“The program is comprehensively prepared for students to understand not only theoretical perspective, but also the real-world scenario. There have been various guest lecturers from HR Leaders and professionals in both public and private enterprises from UK and other countries, invited to deliver relevant topics to enhance our understanding. In addition, group project assignment to apply theory into practice, and field trip to companies also enrich our learning experience, giving us more insight about international and UK organisational context.”

What has been the most challenging part of your course so far?

“Writing excellent academic writing is one of the challenging parts. It requires not just grammatically correct writing, but also critical perspective. In my program, most of final evaluation in the end of semester will be assessed through our ability to write an academic essay. Investing time for reading and planning our essay properly, and joining tutorial sessions on campus help a lot to nail it.”

Have you undertaken any fieldwork as part of your course?

“Various group project assignments expect us to apply theory into real-world scenario by elaborating HR management practices into specific enterprises which could be researched by literature reviews, field work or from our past professional experience. In addition, we are supposed to finish a dissertation to complete our course, thus, we can also gather necessary data from field research.”

How would you describe your student experience so far?

“It is exciting experience to learn beyond the academic world at The University of Manchester and the UK in general. Philosophical thinking, practical learning, part-time working as a student ambassador, travelling to many new places, and making international friends are some of the perks of studying here. The exposure is valuable for our development not only as a student, but also shaping our perspective as a global citizen.”

What is the best thing about living and studying in the city of Manchester?

“The city offers a compelling mix of culture, entertainment, art, food, industrial heritage, sport, and a lot more to explore and learn from. Besides, it is highly supported by good public infrastructure making our experience smooth and pleasant, for example, availability of public transportations, parks, pedestrians, cycling lanes, etc. Living in an international environment and making friends with people from across the world is also a great experience.”

What kind of accommodation do you live in?

“I am currently living in private student accommodation where it is a dedicated student apartment and managed by a private company. In student accommodation, we can have various options of room (en-suite or non-en-suite) and shared apartment with other students depending on the number of bedrooms. In my case, I share 2 en-suite-bedroom apartments with a flatmate, with the kitchen included in my apartment. Moreover, my student accommodation also provides a receptionist, locker, study rooms, common areas, cinema rooms, gym, and laundry facility in my apartment building making our stay more convenient and safe.”

Do you have any tips for future students?

“Do prepare everything prior in advance so that you won’t be in a rush. Starting from your university application, accommodation searching, applying for scholarships, or even the VISA process. Check the deadline so you will not miss any steps. As soon as you receive Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from university and you decide to accept, starting to seek accommodation options is great idea as from my experience, accommodation is quickly sold out if we search too close to course intake date. Preparing yourself to hunt a scholarship (if you plan so) also requires a great deal of time and effort, so be prepared. Furthermore, the VISA process can take longer than anticipated in normal situation, so, do plan prior to your departure.”

What are your plans for life after graduation?

“Right after the end of the course, I will gain short-term learning and work experience in a company in the UK through an internship program which gives exposure in international working practices. In the long run, I plan to be back in my home country, Indonesia, to continue building my career and impact as a HR professional in private enterprises.”

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