What was your study and/or professional background prior to this programme?
I had 5 years working for a crypto exchange in a few roles, but my experience focus is about funding and treasury.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?
I chose it based on the ranking of the university, the city where I would live, and the alignment of the programme with my interest and career plan.
About the course
What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?
It covers the relevant subjects I hope to learn, especially the focus on programming skills.
How many people are on your programme (approx.), and what is the diversity mix like?
60 people. I got to know people from America, Europe, Asia and Africa. They also come from different professional backgrounds with different point of views to share in class.
What does a typical day look like for you on this programme?
Besides lectures, we have practical programming lab and interactive tutorials. I also love going to some career or networking events by Business School Development Team. Sometimes I go to the workshops of interest like payments, AI, fintech, etc.
How much time do you spend in lectures and how much time do you spend studying each week (approx.)?
Around 11 hours for the lectures and approximately 30 hours for studying on my own or with my friends.
How feasible do you think it is to work part-time while pursing your Masters?
I think it is possible if you manage your time well. Apart from working as an Ambassador, I sometime work on small projects and I personally do not think I am short of time.
What have been the differences between the teaching & learning methods in Scotland compared with your home country?
I think the most notable is in Scotland, it’s interactive since I will need to be well-prepared for the class and engage in the discussion with classmates and professors. In my country, I went to class and take notes of the lectures, without a lot of interactions and discussion.
What course have you enjoyed the most so far and why?
The programming one – it’s something new, fun and practical, and it’s also beneficial in a lot of ways for my career.
Student experience
Have you been involved with any industry activities so far (e.g. company visits, guest speakers, student development, professional development sessions)?
Yes, I am going to have a company visit this February. We also have frequent guest speakers for lectures, who are experienced professionals and a lot of networking/ career expo for enhancing my employability skills.
Is there a specific experience you’ve had so far on the programme that stands out?
My amazing teamwork for the Fintech class, where I got to team up with amazing people from different background, but we mingle very well and go beyond and above as a team for our assignment. I learned a lot from each and every one of them. We also build strong connections afterwords and share a lot of useful info for each other.
Have you joined any clubs or societies? What do you like to do outside of your studies? How do you spend your weekends?
Yes. I am in a big communities of Chevening scholars both in Edinburgh and in the UK, we hang out, share info and help each other to network. Outside of studies, at weekends, I go hiking or travel to other parts of Scotlands. Physical activities and going into nature helps me to be more healthy and active.
Have you done any travel to other parts of Scotland or the UK since arriving in Edinburgh?
Yes. I’ve visited Dunkeld, Glasgow, and Stirling. I also spent a lot of time exploring every corner of Edinburgh.
What kind of accommodation are you living in and why did you choose that option?
I am living in university accommodation because safety and convenience is my top priority. By choosing university accommodation, both me and my family feel more secure about me living abroad; it saves me a lot of commuting time to the school every day and I can save a lot of time finding and viewing the accommodation as compared to private rent.
How did you go about making friends and building a community in Edinburgh?
I try to attend the networking events by Business School, which take place on a regular basis, to expand my network academically and professionally. I also work part-time and have joined the yoga club and classes to make friends with more people in the community. Since I came here, I also have the habit of smiling with people on the street or at the shops, which usually leads to good conversations and potential netwoks.
Looking ahead
What are you hoping to do after you graduate from this programme?
I hope to get a job as a Data Analyst in payments industry in Europe to apply the technical skills I've learned during my studies.
Do you have any tips for people considering applying to the Business School?
Be well-prepared and apply early. Do research so that you have all the information you need about the school and the course.