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Student profiles from Middle East and North Africa

International Student Profile
Fariba Khorrami

Fariba Khorrami Dastjerdi, International Foundation Programme 2008-09, MPharm, Iran                                                                                                     Read about my Aston Experience by clicking the tabs below

I wanted to come to Aston because I knew that I would have good career prospects, Aston has a very good reputation. When I attended the open day and I could see the multicultural environment I felt very comfortable here, you go around the campus and you can see faces from all over the world.

Here technology plays a big role, we have good IT and lab facilities. I like this as it helps me to learn, it gives you a better idea of how to do things. There are a lot of support facilities here for students so you never feel that you are on your own. Everyone was very friendly and we could help each other with our courses, I used to help a friend with maths and get them to help me with biology.

International Student Profile
Farhan Alhusban

Farhan Alhusban, PhD in Drug Delivery, Jordan

Read about my Aston experience by clicking the tabs below.

I completed my Masters degree at Aston University and got an overview of drug delivery systems. Whilst on my PhD I have visited the University of Birmingham, De Montfort and Loughborough on collaborative research.

Living on campus makes life very convenient, its also very good for you social life, I have met people from all over the world whilst living on campus. It is really nice to meet people from other parts the world, I have come to realise how much I have in common with so many different people.

I like the city centre, the nightlife in Birmingham is good and it’s a safe city. It’s the best of both worlds, Birmingham isn’t too big like London but not too small like some other cities, also Birmingham is very central, making its easy to travel round the UK as Birmingham really well connected.

International Student Profile Picture
Abhay Singh

Abhay Singh, BSc Business and Management, Oman 

My main reason for applying to Aston was to due to continuous improvement in rankings over the past few years, the opportunity to do a work placement year and the fact that the Business School has triple accreditation. Birmingham is a city with great shopping facilities, social life and culture. I have joined several of the University Societies and made many friends already. If my friends were asking my advice on whether to come to Aston, I would say do it!

Mahmood Al Amri
Mahmood Al Amri

Mahmood Al Amri, MSc Industrial Enterprise Management, Oman

Aston is a well known university, I chose my programme as I already had a business background and wanted to understand the perspectives of both engineers and businessmen. On my course we use a lot of practical, real world examples and look at the issues between engineering and management professionals. The UK attracts students from a diverse range of backgrounds which gives us a chance to learn outside the university, learning about different cultures and languages. This prepares me for the workplace where I will have to interact with people from a variety of different backgrounds. This is not just a course; it’s a completely different lifestyle and experience.

Warda Hassan
Warda Hassan

Warda Hassan, MSc Biomedical Science, Oman 

I chose to study here as I believe that a Post Graduate qualification from Aston University will enable me to further my career and open more doors for me in the future. During the application procedure I was impressed with the adaptability and quick responses shown to any queries. Since arriving at Aston I have been inspired by the quality of teaching and the emphasis put on self development and growth. Welcome Week was particularly helpful for settling in and I now have friends from all over the world. Coming to Aston was definitely the right decision for me.

International Student Profile
Hassan Al Bahrani

Hassan Al Bahrani, International Foundation Programme 2009-2010, Saudi Arabia

Me and the other ARAMCO students will meet up for dinner or to go to the cinema, I even went paintballing with the other ARAMCO students. The older students are great and we can ask their advice about things at Aston. Read more about my Aston experience below.

Aston is located in the city centre which makes it very good for transport links from the different stations nearby and connecting to Birmingham International Airport. Birmingham is also the second biggest city in the UK, there are many restaurants here where I can get halal food.

I’m on the International Foundation Year programme, it doesn’t focus on just teaching us English, just grammar and spelling, we are encouraged to improve our English through studying academic modules which makes it much more interesting.
Marwan Bukhary
Marwan Bukhary

Marwan Bukhary, MBA, Saudi Arabia

I heard about Aston University through the British Council in Jeddah as Aston Business School has been approved by the Saudi Cultural Bureau.

Read more about my experience at Aston below.

The MBA Programme has Triple Accreditation; (AMBA) The Association of MBAs, (EQUIS) accreditation awarded by the European Foundation for Management Development and (AACSB) Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, these triple accreditations distinguished Aston from other Universities.
I have been to several big Cities such NYC and London, Birmingham is the second largest City in the UK after London, the campus is walking distance from the city centre, I really feel that I live in the city side, and there is no need for transportation. I have no doubt of encouraging my Saudi friends to come to Aston Business School.
Hamad Saleh Alyami
Hamad Saleh Alyami

Hamad Saleh Alyami, MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences, Saudi Arabia

I advise students to come here surely, no matter what they want to study.

I chose to come to Aston because of the rank of Aston, it has a good reputation I am also planning to do a PhD, it has excellent research opportunities.Aston also offers general English courses, it’s very useful.
I like everything here! In Birmingham there are so many cultures and at Aston the people are very helpful.
Hussain Al-Ghaith Student Profile
Hussain Al-Ghaith

Hussain Al-Ghaith, Aramco Scholar, from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hussain studied the IFP before his BSc Accounting for Management, at Aston Business School. 

“I was pleased that the IFP met my expectations. The programme gave a clear indication about what we would study in the first year of a degree and we had the opportunity to learn subjects which were not familiar to us.  I also enjoyed the activities provided, especially the end of the year excursion to Alton Towers!

The overall experience of studying the IFP was awesome and gave us the opportunity to explore the city of Birmingham and to prepare for our future studies at Aston Business School.”

Hazza Al-Naeimi
Hazza Al-Naeimi

Hazza Al-Naeimi, MSc Operational Research and Performance Management, United Arab Emirates

Graduation is only a concept, In real life every day you graduate, But my real Graduation being an Emirate national, was through the MSc course in Aston University, where  I have gained a lot of knowledge, endorsed my academic qualifications that contributed tremendously positive toward my career development and performance professionalism.

From this prestigious institution “Aston University” and its academic specialists, I have truly nourished and taken the right step in the ladder of success and excellence.

Husain
Husain Ateya

Husain Ateya, Business International Foundation Programme, Bahrain.

Aston University’s city centre location is really handy. All the shops are close by so you don’t have to commute or take cabs anywhere.

Read more about my Aston experience below.

The teaching standards are great at Aston University with flexible programmes allowing you to pursue interesting subjects. The above average employability rate is also impressive and this is a great place to improve your English skills. When l go back to Bahrain my Aston degree will give me more job opportunities.

Being a small university also makes meeting people easier. If l had gone to a large university, I would never have met the International Office staff producing this profile!

I like living in the new accommodation too as the rooms are spacious and modern.

In Birmingham there is also so much to see and do. I went to the annual German Xmas market the other day. They have stalls selling food, drinks and crafts. It was foggy that day which really made the experience even more festive.  The Bull Ring is close by which is a nice indoor shopping centre.

Fahad Al-Thani, BSc International Business and Management
Fahad Al-Thani, BSc International Business and Management
Fahad Al-Thani, Scholar of the Higher Education Institute of the State of Qatar
BSc International Business and Management

While I was searching for a highly ranked university, I was impressed with the renown and reputation of Aston, especially in Business studies. For example, Aston Business school is constantly ranked amongst the Top 10 Business schools within the UK. This is one of the prime factors that have attracted me as well as the modern and huge campus.

The common first year for Business students is exceedingly beneficial because it covers all aspects of business studies, thereby giving them a strong foundation and increasing their awareness concerning all aspects of the Business environment. The lecturers and the staff of the University are extremely helpful; they usually offer me assistance even before I ask for it!

The assessment encompasses a mixture of examinations, class tests, coursework, group work and presentations. This mixture of assessment aims to assess students effectively and efficiently.

The diversity is one of the strengths that the University benefits from – a research conducted by Aston University shows that diversity drives innovation. There are students from all over the world studying with me. This has, therefore, increased my awareness regarding various cultures and has also enabled me to be effective in working with diverse groups. Such an important skill – working with diverse groups - will definitely prove its effectiveness in my potential workplace. 

As the campus is located in the city centre of Birmingham (the second biggest city in the UK), you will easily have access to many places in city centre. Birmingham offers a variety of shopping places that will meet every individual’s taste. The art galleries are really attractive and worth visiting! Simply, everything you are looking for in a city, you will find it in Birmingham!

When I graduate, my degree and studies at Aston will exceedingly benefit me by enabling me to be successful and effective as a potential leader within my workplace. In addition, the degree from Aston will lead me to be an attractive jobs applicant because Aston has one of the highest employability rates in the country. 

Finally, according to The Telegraph, Aston is in the Top 10 Universities which produces millionaires. Thus, if you would like to increase your potential of becoming a millionaire in the future, you should join Aston University!

Bassel Bakhoum, BSc Economics and Management
Bassel Bakhoum, BSc Economics and Management
Bassel Bakhoum, Aston Business School Undergraduate Scholar

BSc Economics and Management

One of the reasons for choosing Aston was because of its reputation and ranking in league tables; Aston University was one of the universities which left a great impression on me after some research about it. I could easily tell that it is an extremely well respected university throughout the UK and also worldwide. The placement year and the outstanding employment records of graduates – one year of real work experience before graduation significantly increases the chance of achieving a job upon graduation and also makes you a very desirable and well experienced candidate.

Location of the university was also a major factor and the perfectly sized campus, located just a few minutes walk away from the city centre of England’s second largest city.

The quality of the course adds even more to my already great experience of studying here. A personal favourite aspect of the course is the common first year between all business programmes. This gives you a chance to experience all aspects of business in order to later specialise according to your liking. Also having group work as a form of assessment on some of the modules prepares you for any challenges you might face later on in a work environment.

The support and feedback you receive from the staff at Aston is also impressive, whether it's from lecturers or tutors or even those in the administration, everyone goes above and beyond to help you in an effective and timely manner.

I visited Birmingham before deciding to study at Aston. I liked the city straight away and knew for certain that I would come to Aston. After being here for a few months now I am sure that I have made the correct choice. Whether its shopping, dining out or nightlife you are after, it all can be found here. The location of Aston also helps greatly as walking is possible to almost everywhere. Whatever style of city you prefer, it's hard not to enjoy life in Birmingham; as it mixes the old and new in a way that few other cities manage to do.

I honestly still don’t know what I would like to do after graduating. This is why a university such as Aston with its common first year that covers all aspects of business was a great choice for me whatever I end up choosing to do. I am sure that having studied at Aston will give me great employment prospects and will also leave me prepared for any challenges I might face.