After one month of settling in at The University of Manchester, I took a long deep breath of fresh air. Here’s to my home for a year.

My journey here started with the Fresher’s Week both in the campus and in my faculty, Alliance Manchester Business School. Fresher’s week was interesting and fun with various clubs and activities besides the insightful sessions in the faculty by the head of programmes, as well as some short courses to refresh our previous learnings. I got to connect with people of diverse backgrounds like race, culture, origin and even age as Manchester is truly the heart of diversity.

Being a postgraduate student somehow feels familiar but different than my undergraduate life back in Malaysia. Higher expectations on independent studying with a schedule that isn’t as packed as undergraduates. However, the course’s depth of knowledge is far more challenging and requires analytical skills which I was delighted to take on. My course, MSc Accounting and Finance definitely matches my goal to further enhance my knowledge in the accounting field while exploring finance.

One of the initial challenges was adapting to a new educational system and cultural context. The unfamiliarity of academic norms and social dynamics tested my adaptability. Yet, I took this challenges as an opportunity for personal growth and resilience. Navigating the complexities of a different academic landscape has not only refined my scholarly skills, but has also nurtured a spirit of independence and resourcefulness. My journey wasn’t a smooth sail as I had to adapt to a new environment, country, and culture while trying to excel academically.

It’s a continuous effort but my Postgraduate journey as an international student has been a profound experience of exploration, blending academic rigor with the richness of cross-cultural experiences. Opting for a Masters degree at Manchester, I embarked on this educational exploration to not only deepen my understanding of my chosen field, but also to immerse myself in a global learning environment.

Interacting with peers of varied cultural backgrounds has been an enlightening journey. Beyond textbooks, lectures, and assignments, the classroom became a microcosm of the world, a space where diverse perspectives converged. Collaborative projects with international classmates not only broadened my academic insights but also honed my ability to work seamlessly within multicultural teams.

My involvement in the International Society and Board Games Society (both are highly recommended) has got to be one of my best decisions here. Engaging in extracurricular activities has further enriched my international student experience. What’s better than finding people of the same brain frequency with the similar interest, hobbies and ‘sparks’?

All in all, studying abroad as an international student has been more than an academic venture; it has been a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and the forging of lifelong connections across borders.

Written by Audrey, current MSc Accounting and Finance student at AMBS

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