As a first-generation student from a small city in India, moving to the UK alone at 18 was both daunting and transformative. Adapting to a new culture and education system pushed me out of my comfort zone and shaped my independence from an early stage.

I chose the BSc Management programme at The University of Manchester for its balanced structure. he course offered a strong foundation across key areas of business in the first year, followed by the opportunity to specialise and explore subjects in greater depth in the later years. This balance between breadth and depth was exactly what I was looking for as my plan was always to move back to join my family business. It also opened doors beyond the classroom—I had the opportunity to be personally mentored by a consultant at BCG and to participate in McKinsey case competitions, experiences that sharpened my problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

An important part of the course was the Industrial Placement Experience. I spent a year at SMBC Bank International as a Finance and Strategy Associate, and honestly, it was a game changer. It gave me the career boost I needed, but more importantly, it showed me what working life actually feels like which is very different from how it looks on paper, and helped me figure out what I genuinely enjoy doing. It helped me land a great graduate role – one I truly enjoyed as a project manager at CPC Project Services. Even beyond the professional side, it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible – I was part of a group of 36 interns, we worked, learned, stayed over at each other’s places, met families, and travelled together – just saying yes to everything. Dare I say it was one of the best years of my life so far.

Recently, I returned to India to focus on expanding my family business. The breadth of the course—spanning finance, strategy, and global business—has been invaluable in helping me approach this with a structured, growth-oriented mindset. Beyond my professional journey, I also organised my city’s first open-air cinema event, licensing content from one of the biggest production houses in Asia and selling out within just a few days—an experience that reflects the entrepreneurial confidence I developed at Manchester.
Along the way, I was fortunate to receive multiple awards, including Top 10 Undergraduates of the Year- Future CFO , and to be recognised back home in India for my achievements in the UK. I’ve also had the chance to share my story on bigger platforms, including being featured in publications like The Economist.
Now, I’m building something of my own—creating a Next Generation’s community in my city for young adults trying to find their place in legacy family businesses.
Through my journey at Manchester, I really learned what it means to grow. I lost, I learned, I lived. It shaped me into the person I am today.

Advice for future applicants:

Don’t just attend university, immerse yourself in it! Join societies, build friendships across cultures, and say yes to opportunities that might seem a little crazy. Whether it was learning tango, skydiving, or even trying my hand at radio jockeying, these experiences shaped my confidence and personality in ways I never expected. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll grow and those moments will define your journey far beyond the classroom.

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