Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
My name is Okoye Ifeanyi Clinton, I am from Nigeria and I studied my undergraduate degree at Abia State University in Nigeria. I studied sociology and majored in sociology of development, which is the foremost reason why I came to study International Development Management MA – I wanted to build on my major. I love music and I love God – I’m a religious person.
Why did you decide to study the International Development Management MA at Westminster Business School?
My passion was born out of sheer desire to expand my professional horizons in development administration and management. I’ve had a few years work experience in my country with a local charity, which provides care for vulnerable motherless babies, orphans and women in the society. Hence, I decided to take on this course to further my experience and to advance my career.
What attracted me to Westminster specifically, was the management aspect of the course, which other schools do not offer. Studying International Development Management in a business school environment is an added advantage given the fact most employers prefer to hire graduates with a management background, which was just what I wanted. I also like the location of the school as it is situated at the very heart of London and the multicultural environment is nothing but amazing – I wanted to feel what it was like to study and live in a city described as the most “diverse and a confluence of cultures.”
What have been the highlights for you over the last year?
I’ve never had the opportunity to study in an advanced environment in a developed country prior to my enrolment so that excitement was a major catalyst. The integration of technology with educational services caught my interest as well and the class trip to the United Nations (UN) – that was a huge highlight. It is a big event to travel to the UN, and to have the lectures in the United Nations – I’m very happy. There are also lots of things I love about living in the UK. Number 1 is that the infrastructure such as the transport system is awesome, there is a social welfare scheme that functions to redistribute income in favour of the poor, there is law and order, there’s peace and quiet, criminality is on the low side and there’s efficient healthcare.
What were the biggest challenges that you experienced whilst studying at Westminster Business School?
One of the challenges was completing the avalanche of coursework assignments that never stopped coming, so there was a feeling of excitement but also of trepidation – part of the challenge of being a student is striking a balance between free time and studies. Another challenge is that education in the UK is highly digitalised and you need a commensurate level of computer appreciation for you to succeed in your studies. I had an advantage because I already had a level three (3) certification from Microsoft on the use of its office suites. I am very proficient in the use of Microsoft operating system and softwares. More so, finding the kind of starchy food that I am used to (tropical food) is also pretty difficult here in the UK and sometimes I do get homesick because I miss friends and family. Someone said to me once – home is not a place – it is a feeling, and when I came to the UK, I realised that this was true.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the subject of your dissertation?
My dissertation is about the relationship between economic growth and poverty reduction. My case study is my country Nigeria and I will look at economic variables of growth and try to see if there’s a relationship between the blossoming economic growth and poverty levels in my country.
What is your dream job?
My dream is to get a job with a development organisation – either an International Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), a local NGO, with the World Bank, the IMF, or a Development Bank. I just want to become a development practitioner.
If there was one word to describe your time at the University what would it be?
It has been invaluable.
Latest posts by Jeni Stokes (see all)
- A Semester In London: Kerigan Medeiros And An Internship With Point Blank Music School - December 20, 2016
- A Visit To The World’s Specialist Insurance Market, Lloyd’s Of London - December 2, 2016
- Westminster Business Consultants 2016, By Managing Director Jana Skinjova - November 30, 2016