The second interview in this series is with Maahvash Hassib, a third year BA International Business student who completed her Year Abroad in Australia. Year Abroad is an opportunity offered to BA International Business students as a part of their undergraduate degree, however this international opportunity is extended to all undergraduates of Westminster Business School, in the form of either a year or semester abroad.
Throughout the course of this interview, Maahvash gives some useful advice to anyone considering studying abroad, and gives reasons to consider it for those who aren’t already.
Where did you study?
I studied at the University of Technology in Sydney.
Was there any particular draw to Australia?
Actually, Australia wasn’t my first choice. My first choice was Miami, and second was New York, and Sydney was then my third choice. Then circumstances changed which meant I couldn’t study with my first two choices, so I chose Sydney instead. I was so set on going to America, and so I was really apprehensive about going to the other side of the world!
What did you expect from studying abroad?
I just did not know what to expect from Australia. I wasn’t going in with a negative attitude, but I was going in with a positive attitude either – so I was neutral. But once I got there, I just loved every minute of it – I didn’t come back once during my year abroad. I travelled during the holidays from my programme; I went everywhere I wanted to – New Zealand, all around Australia.
How did Westminster prepare you for your Year Abroad?
Before we left we completed a module called International Business Learning Environment, which prepared us for studying abroad. In this, we were given presentations which taught us about what to expect from studying abroad – the ups and downs, including homesickness. I don’t think I felt homesick once. I went in July, and I ended up staying until August the following year – I outstayed my lease by six weeks.
How did you organise your accommodation?
It was really easy. The University sent me the housing application, which was on a portal. And I learned once I got there, that International students are given preference. You go on to the portal, and enter your details and select three preferences. They emailed me within a few days, informing me which accommodation I’d got, and then I paid my deposit.
Did you live with other international students or with domestic students?
I lived mainly with international students, and then some Australians, too. My closest friends were Italian, Swiss, Dutch and Australians – I’m going to Amsterdam this month to visit my ex-flatmate, and I had one of my German friends come and stay with me in London recently!
Would you recommend UTS to other students from Westminster?
Absolutely – everything was so well organised and easy. You apply for your accommodation and are notified within a week, and it’s the same with your subject choices – you make your selections online, and even if you’re unsuccessful it was really easy to choose alternatives, all of which was done online so you didn’t have to go to any offices. Also, the accommodation was great – it was impossible not to make new friends! Any profits from the rent we paid was put towards Barbeques, and other social events in the housing, which was great and really sociable.
What did you study at UTS?
I studied mainly business modules, so marketing, finance and general business, but I also got the chance to choose some elective modules that weren’t necessarily on my course of study – something which I wouldn’t have experienced had I not studied abroad. For instance, I studied a module of forensic science which I found really interesting!
What was the teaching like?
The seminars were one hour, and the lectures two. The format of the teaching was very similar to Westminster with group assignments, exams and coursework.
For more information on Undergraduate Year Abroad or Study Abroad opportunities, visit the Westminster Business School website or email educationabroad@westminster.ac.uk. To understand more about the benefits of international experiences with Westminster, watch the following videos with exchange student, Anna Sousan and Year Abroad student, Natalie Cotts.
