Student Profiles from Europe

Alberto Cuomo

Alberto Cuomo, BSc International Business and Management, Italy

I chose to study in England and I considered a range of business schools. I was impressed by Aston University's reputation and rankings. Read more about my experience of Aston Below.

A degree from Aston University is going to be recognised globally. Aston is able to offer placements where you can work anywhere in the world. I live on campus which is very comfortable and all campus facilities like the laundry, the library and the gym are close by. It’s definitely best to live on campus especially in your first year.

I’m currently in my first year of the IBAM programme (BSc International Business and Management). We take a common first year and this gives me the flexibility to change to another business programme if I want to at the end of the first year.

Birmingham is a very modern city. There are lots of activities and things to do and everything is within 10 minutes walking distance.

Fabio Carraro

Fabio Carraro, MSc Marketing Management, Italy

I wanted to come to the UK to study and the MSc Marketing Management course offered by Aston University really impressed me. I did my own research and I was impressed by Aston University’s reputation.

When I compare studying in Italy and in the UK, I find the environment in the UK much more competitive. Read more about my experience at Aston below.

I have been happy with everything at Aston, especially with the lecturers.It is a competitive environment but with a manageable workload that encourages me to be at my best everyday.

I also love everything about the campus and everyone is very helpful. The location is the best thing as it is so close to the city centre and of course the atmosphere on campus is great.

On my programme, the MSc Marketing Management, there are people from over 20 different countries studying with me. This diverse student group teaches you that there are many different approaches to any one problem.

If you are considering studying in the UK, it is a really worthwhile experience. You will find here world class teaching staff and amazing student diversity. It is also a very friendly and welcoming environment whilst being very competitive, which is great in terms of skill building.

Anastasia Kyriacou

Anastasia Kyriacou, BSc Optometry, Cyprus

I have really enjoyed studying at Aston, and I completed a foundation year here before entering my Bachelors degree in Optometry. I chose Aston because of the rankings for the Optometry department and also because the campus is in the city centre and I could live on campus.

Alexandros Angastiniotis, MSc International Business

Alexandros Angastiniotis, MSc International Business

I chose Aston University because of its excellent reputation for its Masters degrees at the Business School. The fact that Aston is situated in the heart of Birmingham is also another reason I chose to come here, since you can get the best of both worlds when living here - Campus life and City life.

My programme of study, International Business, is very multicultural. It has given me the opportunity to mix with other students from various countries and backgrounds with whom I have created strong friendly relationships.

My modules are demanding but also very educational since I encounter international business aspects in them every day. The members of staff are all responsive to my needs and provide me with any support I need.

I describe Birmingham as a mini-London. The city provides everything you may need but on a smaller scale compared to the capital which makes moving around easier and faster. Whether it is shopping, nightlife or excursions you are after, Brum has it all!

The reason I have decided to take on the Masters degree challenge is to enable me to work in the family business with a better understanding of the International Environment of business. I plan to work in this business and hopefully develop it into a business which, apart from serving the local needs, has an important role in the international markets.

Noemi Bahr, Double MA Europe and the World

Noemi Bahr, Double MA Europe and the World

I did my undergraduate in political science at the University of Hamburg. Although I enjoyed the studies, I knew I wanted to focus on International Relations and/or European Studies in my masters. Additionally, I gained practical experience while I was working for the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in New York last year. That internship really helped me to become sure of what I wanted to do professionally. To me, working in an international context is attractive because it is a complex, interesting field that never gets boring: you encounter great people from different cultures and backgrounds; try to improve things especially in the area of development aid etc., and use languages. The double MA Europe and the World combines all of these passions of mine and is, therefore, the best preparation for my aspired career.

The Double MA actually consists of only five students this year; however we share classes with other Politics Masters. It is an international group, not strictly European but there are also students from Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. I really enjoy this mix of students.

The staff at the Aston Centre for Europe is very helpful, motivated and engaged. There are many extracurricular activities to which we are always invited. Next week we will actually go to Brussels to gain more practical insight of the institutions we have been talking about so much during lectures. Our programme also requires us to do a 6 – month internship in a European context, so I hope this visit to Brussels will help me decide where I would like to work.

The Double MA modules are wide ranging: they include EU laws, international political economy, also the institutions, globalisation, political communication, IR theories, leadership and the EU’s relationship to other regions for example. Additionally, students still can pick languages. A friend of mine started Chinese, while I am practicing French in preparation for my second year which is at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Lille, France.

I have not been to Birmingham before, so Aston University was actually the only factor that made me come here. However, I do not regret it at all. I have met many friendly people at university as well as off campus where I live with three lovely housemates. Here in the UK, I am particularly impressed with the cultural diversity – I come from Germany (Hamburg) and have travelled a lot –still I make many different experiences. Birmingham might not be the prettiest city of all, but its location makes it very attractive and convenient to undertake short trips during the weekends. Culturally, Birmingham has quite a lot to offer – concerts, theatres, a lot of pubs and good ‘Balti’ food. I am still trying to get used to the smell of beans on toast in the morning and even reading it on the menu of restaurants makes me laugh a little. However, every culture has its obsessions and proud traditions and I am eager to learn more about the British.

I actually hope to work for the European Union – I am particularly interested in external relations but you never know where you might end up so I try to be open-minded about it. I could also see myself working for NGOs, the German Diplomatic Service or the Foreign Ministry. So, let’s cross fingers!

Pamela Haering Das

Pamela Haering-Das, MSc Work Psychology and Business. Germany

The diverse mix of students at Aston broadens your horizons and not just academically. It gives you the chance to look at things differently, it's interesting to see how people perceive your culture, you get the chance to explain your culture to people who may not understand it. Read more about my experience of Aston below.

I am really impressed by the research focus, the lecturers have very applicable practically based knowledge. What they teach is not just out of a text book, they give real world examples of how to use the knowledge that they share.

My course is very interesting, there are lots of people from different cultures and lots of different backgrounds which is both challenging and interesting. The course covers a range of areas including human resources and counselling. My favourite topic is work psychology, in this we consider areas such as the well being of the individual, ergonomics, counselling and employee relations. I enjoy this so much because there is so much to consider, this is where I get to put strategies in place to help people achieve their potential.

Thomas Schaster

Thomas Schaster, MSc Business and Management, Germany

Aston is a very international environment. This is important as studying is not just about the result but also about the journey to get you there. I received an Aston Business School scholarship which helped me pay my tuition fees. The University runs an annual scholarship reception which is great. It was nice that the Vice-Chancellor came down to meet us. I only knew a few friends that were there so it was helpful to meet with some of the other scholars.

To be honest, I was surprised at how nice a city Birmingham is. It is really easy to get around and there are some great shops. The airport is really close which makes travelling home very convenient.. Birmingham is a very student friendly city. Everything is so cost effective when you compare it with London.

Students on the MSc Business and Management programme have a diverse range of backgrounds, with people from engineering and science based backgrounds as well as those with a more traditional business background. For example, my syndicate group includes a doctor from India! This makes working together challenging but it really helps to develop your intercultural awareness. Our programme covers a broad range of topics which gives you an ideal grounding to go into consulting work, which is my career goal after graduation.

Jimmy Naraine

Jimmy Naraine, International Business and Management, Polish

Aston is one of only 27 business schools in the world to have achieved triple accreditation and gives me the opportunity to complete an overseas industrial placement year. Read more about my Aston experience by clicking the tabs below.

In Poland we are required to learn vast amounts of material but very often we do not know how to put it into practise. At Aston, stronger emphasis is put on teaching us how to implement knowledge into everyday business life.

There are no limits to the number of clubs that you can join! Apart from the huge range of sporting societies, students raise money with the RAG society, develop business skills with business societies, you can build schools in Uganda, or go for AIESEC exchange to Hong Kong or Dubai! Its important to get involved!

Aston’s green campus is situated in the city centre and has students from very diverse backgrounds. I have a great social life here and in ten minutes on campus I can see at least twenty people that I know.

Joanna Pokorska

Joanna Pokorska, MSc Marketing Management, Poland
I was impressed with Aston’s reputation as it has a really good position in the league tables.

Read more about my experience of Aston Unviersity below.

I had studied at Aston beforehand as an exchange student so I already knew a lot about the University. I also know that Birmingham is well located with excellent transport connections. It is a really multicultural environment to be in. The university isn’t huge so you do get to know the staff and the lecturers well and they are really approachable. The standard of teaching here is very high and there are great student facilities on campus such as the access to databases and IT facilities. The majority of students are international and they are not as competitive as students on courses I have previously studied with, which creates a positive atmosphere among students, since everyone is willing to help others and share opinions and knowledge.

I also became a member of recently established Polish Society. I think it is great idea to be able to stay in touch with your own culture, even if you are abroad.

I have been awarded an Aston Business School scholarship. To be awarded this, I had to write an essay on my strengths and weakness and how the MSc programme would help me to address them. This scholarship has made a great difference to me and has allowed me to complete the course without having to take out a loan.

Ines Branco

Ines Branco Illodo, MSc Marketing Management, Spain

When I was at university in Spain, I was planning to go abroad to study for a year but I found a good job and worked for five years. I decided to go back to university and chose Aston. I looked on the internet and Aston’s MSc Marketing Management degree had the right content for me.

I have received an Aston Business School scholarship towards my tuition fees which has helped me pay to be here. I also attended the International Scholarship reception where we were presented with our awards. Read more about my Aston experience below.

The teaching quality is really good at Aston. The lecturers are very friendly and approachable. You can e-mail them with questions and they are really helpful. There is a lot of group work which I don’t like but I am learning a lot from this. It is the first time I have to do academic work in a group environment. It’s very demanding but it does help you with your language. When I first came here I couldn’t understand anyone! I had studied English but when I went to buy a train ticket I asked someone where to go and couldn’t understand him! He was really helpful and friendly though and did help me to get a ticket.

I’m learning a lot. I need to feel motivated otherwise I get bored and this is a very motivational environment. I’m not just here to get an education. This is a massive investment in myself. I am getting to know people from a variety of different nationalities which is opening my mind to new things.

I want to find a job and would like to work in Spain but there is a 20% rate of unemployment. I wouldn’t mind working for a multinational company with offices in Spain. I could possibly work here or in any other country as a short/medium term arrangement.

In the Aston Business School, there is a specific MSc Careers Advisor who has been very helpful. He helps us to work through application forms and informs us about deadlines for applications or competitions organised by companies. The work that he does really helps as it saves me a lot of research. There is also a meeting about the careers service every week

I would recommend Aston for Business and the facilities are great. Applicants should also consider other factors such as research rankings and look at student profiles. Prior to coming here I looked at a range of information and visited before applying.

Nataliya Karmadzhieva, Management and Strategy, Bulgaria

Nataliya Karmadzhieva, Management and Strategy, Bulgaria
(2010/11 - June 2014)

When I was starting my preparation to apply for a university abroad, I was looking for one that will allow me to develop new and existing skills, enhance my experience and provide me with a range of opportunities.

Aston is a long established university known for its world-class reputation and teaching quality. It is a university committed to providing the highest quality education to students. When I received an offer from Aston I was delighted that I was given the opportunity to study in a top university with constantly high graduate employability rankings (currently higher employability ranking than Oxbridge) and student satisfaction rankings (over 80 %). Another reason to choose Aston University was the opportunity to do a placement year, throughout which I could gain valuable work experience, develop my knowledge, put the theory I have already studied into practice.

The thing I like most about Aston are the facilities and services the university provides to students: particular examples are the Hub, Careers Centre, Placement Office, Student Advice and Representation Office and many more which are developed to a high level and with highly competent staff. Academics and staff are easily approachable and responsive to student enquiries. Another thing is the outstanding teaching quality.

My programme – Management and Strategy – is a really flexible programme, providing students with the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects. Throughout my two years at university I have been studying modules like Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Human Resource Management, IT, Business, Government and Society, Enterprise Resources Planning which really enabled me to gain knowledge related to various business areas. The workload and the timetable were well organised, there were a number of different tutorial times which students could visit so flexibility was allowed. Academic staff has been highly supportive and approachable. There is also a really diverse mixture of students from different cultures in my programme. I have been given the opportunity to make friends with people from different backgrounds, share experiences which helped each other settle better in Aston and Birmingham. I have now become more culturally aware and responsible.

During my time at Aston I have been involved in a number of activities and societies. In my first year, I was part of ATIS – Aston Trading and Investment Society; I was also the social executive for SIFE Aston (Students in Free Enterprise). I was involved in the Peer Mentoring Scheme by being a mentee and in my second year I was part of the Professional Mentoring Scheme which gave me an insight of what the real working life of a business professional is, how businesses operate, also allowed me to develop deeper knowledge towards my subject of study, helped me to a significant level to secure a placement.

I am currently ( August 2012 - September 2013) undertaking my placement year at the International Office at Aston University at the position of a Projects Assistant. I would say that this year is the highlight of my degree programmes as it gives me the opportunity to develop skills and abilities which will be highly valued by future employers. My placement year has been really enjoyable so far; I have learned a lot of new things and have a better and clearer idea of how a given organisation functions and the processes that it undergoes. I would definitely encourage students and especially international students to find a placement, as it is the experience from that placement year which makes individuals stand out.

Dea Doncheva, BSc Human Resource Management

Dea Doncheva, BSc Human Resource Management (2011/12 - June 2015)
Read about my experience at Aston by clicking the tabs below.

I chose Aston for many different reasons I am sure you are well aware of – its top place in the rankings, its city centre location, its great opportunities to excel and its well-known reputation of graduate employability. However, what I did not know before coming was about Aston’s common first year for all business students, which gives you enough knowledge to have a clear view of what are you going to be good at and what you will be happy to do in your future career.

I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. This is a course for those, who believe that people are what make a company unique. Some of my modules are tightly connected with the HR profession: Organisational Behaviour, Developing Creativity at Work, Strategy for Future Leaders, Psychology and Work, etc; others with the broader understanding of how do businesses operate: Operations Management, Financial Accounting, Strategic Finance, IT in Business, etc. During my two years at Aston I have had all kinds of examinations, from class tests, essays, and group works, to 3-hour Summer exams. However, I can assure you that in Aston you will never be in situation, where you do not feel certain about something or you have an issue, and you do not know whom to turn to. There are so many ways to solve a problem here: Personal Tutors, Peer Mentors, the lecturers are so approachable and willing to help, the tutors from the tutorials, too. When you come at Aston you realise that all those people are here exactly because of this, to help you learn more and make your experience better.

Birmingham is a great city in the heart of England. For those, who are worried about rainy days, do not! It is not that bad. Its central location will also give you the chance to travel to all the interesting places around here easily.

As you may already know Aston is situated exactly in the city centre of B’ham; what you do not know yet, however, is that this will be very beneficial for you. You are 10-minute walk away from all the shops, the concert halls, the clubs and the cinemas. If you do not like commuting just like me, believe me you will never regret choosing Aston. I do not.

When I graduate, I believe that I will have enough knowledge and experience to start my career the best way possible. Although I do now know where yet, I know that Aston would have given me a solid ground for future success.

Denisa Dumitrascu, BSc Human Resource Management

Denisa Dumitrascu, Bsc (Hons) Human Resource Management, Romania:
One of the reasons I choose Aston University was definitely because of its reputation amongst most business schools in the United Kingdom.

I am studying for a four-year-degree undergraduate programme in Human Resource Management. It is a complex programme covering topics ranging from the strategic importance of human resource management in contemporary organisations to more specific areas, such as: training and development, recruitment and selection, employment law, performance appraisal, career management, employee relations, and organisational development and change.

All this variety of information and the different perspectives allowed me to understand that managing people is far more than just telling them what to do. I think one of the most important ‘things’ I have learnt throughout this two years of university is the importance of being genuinely passionate about people and their development as a general condition for organisational development.

Birmingham is indeed an interesting city. It has got something to offer to everybody. Several times, I have been for a walk to Cannon Hill Park where I used to pop by Mac, an arts centre which is always having something going on. Arts wise, an event I really enjoyed was the Galleries Night in May where I visited the IKON Gallery, Mac and The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. After this experience my perception of Birmingham changed completely.

The Modern British Art Section at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery was another thing worth visiting.

For sport lovers, you can always rent a bike for the weekend, there are loads of gyms and sport centers and Aston Villa is literally over the corner.

Also, if you want to do shopping or walk around in one of the largest & busiest shopping centres in the UK, then Bullring is the place. It offers a very large range of brands and perhaps the opportunity for a part time job if you consider the idea. Outside Bullring is this little outdoor market where I love going on Saturday mornings to buy fruits and vegetables for the week.

My various experiences have had a considerable impact on my views and plans. In my first day of university, I started off with the dream of working in Training and Development. When looking back to my first years at university however, I can see how this dream has significantly changed. I would still like to work in the field of Training and Development, however, after my experiences and the multiculcural environment I have been exposed in at Aston, I would like to travel more and develop my cultural intelligence more; understand what lies behind people’s actions, understand reactions and frustrations and so make people extend beyond their potential.

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