A selection of profiles of international students who are currently studying in the United Kingdom.

If you would like to submit a student profile for inclusion in this section, please click here

Name: Ashvin Hirani

Country of Origin: Kenya

Place of Study: Kingston University

Ashvin Hirani was born in Africa (Kenya) but has lived in the UK for over 18 years.

He recently received a BEng Honours degree in Civil Engineering, at Kingston University. "I chose Kingston University because of its reputation. The course is approved by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) which is very important"

He was also impressed with Kingston University when he visited them on their open day. "The staff were really helpful, they seemed to be so in touch with their subject area"

After studying for two years he then took year out before going back into his final year on a work placement. "Kingston has an excellent reputation for industrial placement. I worked for a company called Balsour Beathy as a site engineer. I became involved in a six million pound project to refurnish The House of Commons in London which was a great experience!"

When Ashvin wasn't studying he spent a lot of time with friends in London. "London is such a buzzing city, there's such a good feeling about the place - I love the nightlife!"

After receiving his degree he then went on to work full-time for Balsour Beatty and is pleased with how it has all worked out for him. "During my time at Kingston University I have learnt so much about myself. I'm so much more confident about things and the decisions I take"

Name: Kevin Mullins

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Place of Study: Kingston University

Kevin Mullins was born in the United Kingdom. He is now a Highways and Drainage Engineer for 'Bettridge Turner and Partners' in Surrey.

He recently graduated from Kingston University with a 2:1 in Civil Engineering. "Kingston University has an excellent reputation for Civil Engineering. It was an easy choice! It also has huge facilities. The campus is split into different sites which means each subject area has the room for large facilities. This means there was a lot of 'hands on' experience in our computer and concrete lab which I really enjoyed!"

In his year he was placed at 'Bettridge Turner and Partners', where he now works. "I had a lot of varied experience in my year out which stands me in good stead for my work now"

As well as the social activities that students enjoy whilst not studying, Kevin has also involved in many sporting clubs at the University such as canoeing and football. "The student union is excellent at Kingston, it has just been extended, there's always something going on! Many big bands play there and there are some really good comedy acts on!

So what did he feel he learnt at Kingston University? "Hmm, where shall I start! I think one skill I really learnt was to work alongside people with all different opinions and experiences. The course at Kingston is very group orientated so I found it was easy to make friends with similar interests from all over the world"

"Above all, I miss the friends I made and the everyday challenges on the course. I believe that during my time there I have gained a whole gamut of experience. I recommend the course to any one!"

Name: Ridla Bakri

Country of Origin: Indonesia

Place of Study: Newcastle

Ridla Bakri, currently studying at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne did a Master's in Chemistry at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta and worked there as an Assistant Lecturer before coming to Newcastle in 1991, having obtained funding from the World Bank Project to study for an M.Phil.

"I then continued my research for a Ph.D. and am currently putting the finishing touches to my thesis.

My time in Newcastle has been very enjoyable and I have learned a lot about metalorganic synthesis and how to handle air-sensitive compounds. I particularly enjoy preparing new molecules and determining their molecular structure. The Department is very well equipped for this type of synthetic work, with a wide range of IR, NMR and mass spectrometers, microanalytical services and X-ray diffractometers. As this type of chemistry is still new in Indonesia, I intend to teach the skills I have learned when I return home. "

Name: Zehre Sayyid

Country of Origin: Pakistan

Place of Study: University of Luton

I have always had a passion to study for an MBA. I had already completed a Masters in Public Administration with a specialism in Marketing in Pakistan but, as I wish eventually to establish my own fashion business, I thought that an MBA would help provide me with the practical and theoretical knowledge needed for such a venture. My parents kindly agreed to fund me through the programme.

Prior to starting the MBA I worked in economic research for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lahore. I also taught for one year at a grammar school and worked for a time for Nestle in Pakistan.

I choose to study in the UK because of my background. I attended a convent school as a schoolgirl which was strong on tradition and values. I believe that these values can be found here and that the standard of education is high.

Overall, Luton has been a good choice for my course. I am kept very busy with course work , especially with case studies and group presentations. Putteridge Bury with its serene atmosphere is excellent for this kind of study.

Country of Origin: England

Place of Study: Northwood College

GCSE's Studied: Mathematics, dual award science, history, French, religious studies, English literature, English language, classical civilisations.

A- Levels to be studied: English literature, religious studies, history, classical civilisations.

My name is Roberta Lawson. I was born and have grown up in England, in a small suburb of London. I attend Northwood College school, and have done so for the last five years. Next year I intend to study for A and AS levels in English, classical civilisations, religious studies, and history. I hope, in two years time, to study for a degree in English literature, and for a possible further degree in creative writing. I enjoy all subjects involving essay writing and analysis, which explains my ambition to later go into a job in the media; particularly in written journalism, or in book publishing. My favourite subject is English, as I love both reading and writing. I have had some poetry published, and therefore am fascinated by the idea of poetry publishing as a future career, in order to achieve an inside view of the industry. All aspects of publishing interest me, as it is an industry so closely linked to writing. This explains why I wished to obtain my work experience placement at a publishing company.

I have spent the last two days at a placement at Dominion Press LTD. In the last few days I have seen how a magazine is put together, what components it is made up of, and how computer and telephone reliant the process is, i.e. how it all breaks down when faced with the problem of a power cut, as it was on my first day of work experience. I have observed the duties of various members of a publishing team. I have seen the complexity of matching magazine articles exactly to articles on the company's website, and the problems involved with having to e-mail them overseas; to Dubai where the company magazines are published. So I have seen the more intricate aspects of the publishing industry. I have read and computer entered the forms returned from China in response to Dominion Press' magazines which invite students to apply for overseas education.

So, I have clearly seen the wide dispersal of the magazine, and how far published products really do travel. By working at a company which publishes a functional magazine, I have been able to see how published products can provide information overseas, as opposed to fictional or purely entertaining material; and how useful this information is to students everywhere.

Name: Hala Sharkas

Country of origin: Syria

Place of Study: Oxford Academy for Advanced Studies

Programme of Study: MA in Translation

Hala Sharkas did her BA in English Literature at Aleppo University in 1995. She also obtained a Diploma in 20th-Century English Literature in 1997. Between 1995 and 1999 Hala worked as a translator for some private companies in Syria. She has obtained a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education in Syria and is now studying for an MA in Translation. The programme will finish in September 2001.

"The Oxford Academy offers its students not only academic knowledge, but also all the support that a student coming to Britain for the first time needs. For me, OAAS is my second family."

Name: Tayseer Mohamed Abdalla

Country of origin: Sudan

Place of Study: Oxford Academy for Advanced Studies

Programme of Study: MPhil/PhD in Linguistics

Tayseer received her BA in French Language and Linguistics from the University of Khartoum in 1996. She also obtained a Diploma in African Languages from the International University of Africa in 1997. She is currently studying for a PhD, via MPhil.

"With the help of OAAS, I was able to do my PhD in Linguistics because they have given me a scholarship, for which I am very grateful. They have also given me the chance to express a whole world through my dissertation. The courses in methodology which I attended this year have helped me to conduct my research successfully."

International Student Profiles

Within this site we look to create a personal touch by featuring profiles from international students around the world. This gives those already studying away from home the chance to let others know how they have found the experience of studying in a foreign country and the benefits of studying abroad. Because the site has such an international focus, wherever your place of study is in the world, we will be interested in hearing from you.

Each profile should be around 120 words in length and should state the student's name, country of origin and place of study (name of university/college/school). If possible, please also send a passport size or larger photograph or a .jpg file.

If you would like to supply a student profile, please send it to:

Student Profiles
StudyOverseas.Com
Empire Publishing Co. Ltd
101 Southwark Street
London SE1 0JH
United Kingdom

or E-mail: webmaster@studyoverseas.com

We look forward to hearing your experiences of studying overseas!