Life in a Foreign University | ‘Practical components of MBA programme attracted me to Essex University,’ says student

The admission process was quite straightforward and since I had worked in the higher education sector, I was familiar with the procedure. The Essex MBA application form was easy to fill in online. It required standard documents like transcripts, degree, CV and recommendations. I would suggest contacting your referees in advance over a phone or Zoom call to ensure that they provide all the information on time. The admission process also included an interview with the MBA director of Essex Business School. I prepared for the interview using online resources and read the MBA brochure thoroughly.

Additionally, I applied for the Essex MBA Dean Award. The scholarship was something that one was considered for automatically as an applicant. However, I did include my GRE scores, and an extra motivation letter to strengthen my chances. In the end, I was awarded with a full scholarship.

Why I chose Essex MBA?

To begin with, the legacy and prestige of education in the United Kingdom is unparalleled. I was aware that an MBA degree from a UK university will be beneficial for my career. Second, with English as the main language, along with other cultural affiliations with India, I felt more secure and confident in coming to the UK as compared to other European countries. Lastly, the post study work opportunities via the Graduate Immigration Route, along with lower cost of education as compared to the USA, became crucial factors in deciding my country of choice.

The Essex MBA is a stepping stone for professionals to progress in their careers or switch careers. The structure of the programme comprised eight core modules covering various aspects of management, and then one optional module followed by an immersive business planning module and finishing with either a consultancy project, MBA thesis or a business plan. The business planning module, the consultancy project, and the exclusive Director’s Workshops were the practical components of the programme. The consultancy project allowed me to work on a real-life project with an organisation and offer solutions based on my experience and learnings from the MBA. The business planning module is a simulation module where we are divided into groups and run a business for a week with each day acting as a financial quarter. The director’s workshops included a series of seminars and workshops where we had interactions with industry experts, career coaches and academics.

I chose to study here because of the Director’s Workshops and the Consultancy Projects. I was quite attracted by these practical elements and they lived up to my expectations as I was able to meet with some distinguished people and grow my network. Another reason to study this programme was the element of entrepreneurship provided by the school via the Innovation Centre on campus where I was able to participate in Entrepreneurial workshops and projects.

India gave me work ethic, UK taught me freedom

One major difference that you witness in the UK and Indian education system is the relationship with professors. At Essex, I was able to have a dialogue with my professors, engage in debates and discussions, and even have a coffee with them outside of the lecture hall. The professors they were very approachable. The focus was not on learning from the book, but from your peers and experiences.

I believe that high school and undergraduate education in India is extremely important. I was able to succeed at my MBA in the UK is because of the work ethic and discipline I learnt as a student in India. The ability to focus on subjects, work long hours and prioritise your studies, are skills that the Indian education system provides you with. I also learnt effective communication skills through my Indian education which has proven very handy in the UK.

Studying in the UK changed my life

My first day and first week in the new country was a bit grim. The world was still recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic and as per the guidelines, I had to be under a week long quarantine. However, this tough situation was made easier by the university as they offered quarantine facilities on campus, and provided a quarantine pack which included basic groceries, cutlery, cookware, and bedding. All of this was offered free of charge, and also included access to online mental health support.

After getting through the quarantine, I moved into my on-campus accommodation wherein I found very friendly classmates. We were a diverse group of people from countries including Romania, Lithuania, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Hong Kong. The process of getting to know each other, and understanding each other’s preferences was a cultural learning curve for me.

Vatsal Chandra with his friends from University of Essex.

I was lucky enough not to face any major challenges, and Essex University played a major role in this. They offered travel support from the airport to the campus, provided an induction guide for students, and offered budget support to manage finances.

My programme, the Essex MBA, was fast-paced and I had to juggle between multiple deadlines and assignments, along with my part-time job. However, with the right support from friends, faculty and the university, I was easily able to cope with the academic challenges.

I made great friends with two local guys from my MBA class. We took a road trip together, used to play pool after lectures, and even today we meet twice a month to play tennis and have dinner.

My professors have acted as my mentors. Some of them have acted as my sound board and have offered me advice on life. I still remember my professor taking me out for dinner just to talk about life in general. Another professor had dinner with the whole class after we finished his module, and we are still connected.

With my friends and flat mates, I still recall our first week together when we all moved into the campus accommodation. We all visited the Tesco — a grocery supermarket chain — together, which is right outside the campus. We ended up buying a lot of sweets and enjoyed our meals by the breezy campus lake. We used to organise a lot of fun game nights in the flat too. I remember how they all made me feel special on my birthday by getting a lovely cake, decorating the flat, and ordering food. Those were some lovely days I will cherish for life.

Studying abroad changes a person for the better. For me, it made me a stronger individual. The independence that comes with studying abroad challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, by coming out on the right side of it, I became more confident and secure as a person. I also believe that living and studying abroad has made me a kinder individual. The culture here, mostly, is based on kindness where you thank the bus driver and say sorry for even the slightest inconvenience to a stranger. It has also made me more grateful as I have learnt to appreciate the comforts I had at home, and also recognise the hard work that people put in just to function and stay afloat.

(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)