Switzerland, International Foundation followed by BSc (Hons) Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
“Having lecturers who actually inspire students to talk is essential and helpful, which I had with the lecturers here.”
Why did you decide to study in the UK?
My parents met here. My mum is from Switzerland and my dad is from Nigeria and they both lived in London when they met. It’s always been a family thing. The UK is seen as the New York of Europe, where all your dreams come true like the ‘American dream’. Getting into university, at least from where I come from in Zurich, is much more difficult. I love Switzerland and everything, but I want to travel and expand my language knowledge. My parents were okay with me coming here but it didn’t happen that quick, it was difficult and I had to go to Rome first. Then I moved to London for two years, did my A Levels, and now I’m here in Oxford.
Why did you choose to come to Oxford Brookes?
The course. At first I applied for Business Management but then I discovered the Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course, which is better designed for what I want to be in the future. I got an offer for Business Management but then I didn’t do so well in my A Levels so I had to reapply and do Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship which was the course I genuinely wanted to study. My dad is very approving of it too.
How do you think this course will help you progress on to your degree?
I’ve realised in the UK that a lot of people do a foundation year before they go into their undergraduate. It’s good for students who struggle being a young adult. They actually throw a lot at us to study in this particular pathway course which makes me think that if I can handle this then I can handle whatever comes in the undergraduate.
How did the staff support and help you settle in when you got here?
I was an early arrival, so in the first week I got to live in Warneford Halls. It went well because they knew how many were coming. I made a friend who was both a student and a hall resident administrator. He was really nice and kind and helped me to understand where everything was. When I moved to Westminster Halls, they were helpful too and there was a man who helped me with all my luggage, as I was all by myself. They were very good and welcoming.
Do you have any advice for any international students coming to Brookes?
Try and get into societies, because then you will make friends and it’ll be easy as you will have something in common. So just be confident. No one cares about your past here - it’s like a new chapter of your life. It’s a long life experience, even if it’s just for a year or 6 months make the most of it.