unicstudents

[unicstudents]

Placement secured for former UNIC and current Master’s student

Former UNIC student and current University of Northampton MSc Project Management student, Odette Matchum Foko, is celebrating after successfully securing a paid work placement as part of her Master’s studies.

The Project Management course with the University of Northampton gives students the option of doing a 6-12 month paid work placement at the end of the course. Students who take up this option receive one CAS and one visa for their studies with UNIC, the University and the duration of their placement. Students are required to search for, apply and interview for the roles themselves with support from the faculty and the University’s employability services.

Odette, originally from Cameroon will take on the role of Project Officer for a popular African food and entertainment venue. Her responsibilities will include hiring and training Sales Associates, managing and evaluating revenue and expense reports, analysing restaurant sales levels and profitability and coordinating the overall operation of the business. She will also be required to organise marketing activities, such as promotional events and discount schemes.

Odette said: “As a project management student, I was very happy to have the role of Project Officer as it fits in well with my course. I will be able to put into practice the skills I have learnt at the University to improve the quality of service provided by this restaurant. There is an opportunity to move into higher positions or take on additional responsibility and so that I am really excited about!”

Getting a placement is an invaluable opportunity for students to gain first hand work experience and put them in a great position for employment after graduation.

Odette went on to say: “A restaurant is a place that welcomes people from different culture and this gives me the opportunity to socialise and meet new people. I enjoy talking to people from many different walks of life and this position offers everything I look for in a good job. I will be working with the management team and I am excited to use this to improve my leadership skills and get experience for the future.”

When asked what advice she would give to other students looking for a placement she said:

“When I started looking for a placement I was focused on construction and healthcare industries rather than looking at all sectors. I would advise future students to be much more open minded and apply for a variety of roles to give you more chance of success. Don’t take your CV for granted, the mock interviews provided by the university to help students are just a s important as this is your chance to really stand out to your employer and show your personality. Finally, don't hesitate to go in and ask some companies in your area about the prospect of a placement because not all jobs are advertised where you are looking.

If you are interested in studying our Pre-Master’s leading to MSc Project Management please click here.

[unicstudents]

Becoming Student President  - Nothtabo Kumalo

I was really nervous about giving my speech as to why I should be picked to my fellow students as the competition was very high. When I heard that I won the vote I felt a mixture of shock and excitement. I feel truly grateful and honored to have been selected for this position.

My initial aim is to be the voice of the student body for UNIC. I know sometimes students struggle to voice out their opinions and I therefore want to be that spokesperson they can trust. I will do anything in my ability to make sure there is transparency between the students myself and the staff. 

Secondly, even though our college is very diverse I want to create unity and a oneness in our diversity so that everyone can achieve to their full potential. This could be done through promoting the school events more so that as students we are more aware and eager to want to go to the trips and bond with other fellow students. 

Thirdly, because we spend so much of our time at UNIC I want to make sure that students feel they are receiving the full experience they were promised when they chose UNIC and continue to improve and enhance this experience not only for us the current students but for the prospective students. 

I believe I am the best person to represent the College and the student body because I have a work hard play hard motto. Thus I know when it’s time to work and I’m self motivated enough to put all my effort to achieve goals. I also believe I’m a natural born leader who is also a team player therefore even though I’ll lead I’ll lead with my students beside me. I have excellent listening skills which are essential and I know I can put them to good use in this position. Help me to help us is what I will be saying to the students!

My first line of order is to increase transparency, perhaps through weekly communication updates of what is happening in the college. The trip to London would have been a lovely experience for students but I found not all of the students were aware of this opportunity therefore I believe a weekly update of events, changes through emails or text messages will be necessary as a starting point for me as a president. 

The advice I would give to others is don’t doubt yourself. Go for it. If you have great ideas You are the difference we are looking for. It won’t be an easy task but I’m sure it will be worth it in the end. 

[unicstudents]

MBA placement success for former UNIC student

Current MBA student, and former UNIC Pre-Master’s student, Yi Yang, is celebrating after successfully securing a placement for the second year of his MBA.

Yi, who is originally from Guangdong, China, will start his placement at Castle Education in February next year before completing his postgraduate studies in 2020.

Castle Education are a recruitment agency for Chinese students looking to study in UK institutions. As a ‘Marketing Manager’ for the company, Yi will be responsible for supporting Chinese students and advising the on the best institution to suit their overseas study needs.

Yi said: “I am delighted to have got the job with Castle Education. I will be able to relate to the students and help those who would have been in a similar position to me before I joined UNIC and UoN back in September 2017.”

Daily task for Yi will include:

·         Searching for information and institutions to place students

·         Advising students on their study options

·         Assessing what options are best based on student’s profile

·         Managing the day to day marketing activities of the organisation and long-term marketing strategy for the company.

In order to secure the role at Castle Education, Yi had to send a CV and application and go through an interview with the General Manager. The University of Northampton supported Yi in enhancing his CV to help him secure the interview. The rest was down to him.

Yi commented: “I was quite nervous as most people are when it comes to interviews, but I tried to remain calm and speak clearly. I focused on the knowledge I have gained at the university and demonstrated what skills I can bring to the company.

I mentioned the conversation skills I will use when recruiting students and also some subject knowledge I will use in my work such as SWOT analysis and STP strategy.

I am most looking forward to helping students, gaining independence and over-coming challenges in the work place that will be useful for my future career.”

All MBA students at the University of Northampton are given the option to do a work placement between 6-12 months as part of their course. Although the placement is not guaranteed the University has lots of support to help students to successfully secure one. The opportunity sets students aside from other graduates and allows them the invaluable chance to earn money alongside their studies.

For more information about Castle Education please click here.

[unicstudents]

UNIC student to publish first book

UNIC student, Ezekiel Quartey-Papafio, who joined the College in January 2018, has received confirmation that his first book will officially be published later this year. “Are Youths the Leaders of Tomorrow or Today” will be published by US company, Author House in the next few months. A review will also feature in the London Review of Books, Europe’s most widely distributed literary magazine.

Nineteen-year-old Ezekiel, who joined UNIC on a Business Foundation leading to BA (Hons) International Business from Ghana, says he is delighted by the news. We caught up with him to learn more about the book and the triumph around getting published at such a young age.

Hi Ezekiel! You must be thrilled! How are you feeling about being able to say you have a published piece of work?

I am so happy! It has been such a long process. The book took me almost two years to write and so I can’t believe all my hard work is finally beginning to pay off. Since arriving in the UK I have gained a lot more confidence and belief and I think that has really helped push me towards this end goal. I still can’t fully believe it is happening.

Can you tell us more about the book and what it is about?

Sure, so basically it is a sort of self-help book. The motivation behind it is I wanted to empower young people so the book is all about inspiring the youth of today to achieve to their fullest potential and live their fullest dreams. It talks about youth leadership, gender equality, sexual violence, religion, relationships, what success means and more. This book is about ideas and the power of putting them into action to enable you to become a successful global leader. I want people to read it and believe they have what it takes to be the leaders of tomorrow.

It sounds incredible! What has helped and inspired you along this journey?

I think being a UNIC student in general has helped me as it has allowed me to mix and be friends with people from many different backgrounds and understand more about what it means to be a global citizen. I also think my course, international business, has helped. Some of the classes have given me a real love and understanding around the marketing side of business and that is by far invaluable when it comes to approaching publishers.

What do your friends and family think of this achievement?

It is funny because I didn’t actually tell my parents anything about writing the book until I received the confirmation from the Publishers. They were really shocked and wanted to see it straight away but also incredibly proud. I interview lots of young people throughout the book so some of my friends and their opinions actually feature in the dialogue.

When can we get our hands on a copy?

Well once I get the edit back from the Publishers I will have to approve the final copy and then we start on the graphic design for the front cover. My hope is that I will have my hands on a physical copy in the next couple of months. It will then be all about marketing it and getting people to actually read it.

 What is your advice to other young people wanting to do a similar thing?

Don’t give up! If you are passionate about something then you will get it done you just have to be disciplined and motivated. Believe in yourself and your abilities because half the time the only person stopping you is you!

 Watch this space!

“Are Youths the Leaders of Tomorrow or Today” is coming! We will keep you updated as soon as we know more! Congratulations, Ezekiel!

[unicstudents]

Your Starting UNIC Check-List

Joining us soon? Have you done these five things?

1)      Booked your accommodation

Having somewhere to stay whilst you arrive is essential. Most UNIC students choose to live in the Bassett-Lowke Halls of residence as it is directly opposite the College and reasonably priced at just £110 a week. All of our rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobe, bookshelf, chair and bin. The main utility bills for heating, lighting, water and electricity are included within your rent to make it a little easier for you. Although the University manage the accommodation, initial applications should be made on our online form here.

2)      Sent us your Arrival date

We need to know when you will arriving in the UK so we can ensure everything is in place for your enrolment. There are three stages to enrolment so if you arrive unexpected we may not be able to allocate you the correct slot. We can also help organise your airport pick-up with our trusted taxi company. Don’t forget that this year any student who arrives between 17th-21st September will receive a free smart speaker as part of their arrival pack absolutely free! Please email studentservices@unic.northampton.ac.uk with your flight details as soon as they have been booked.

3)      Decided what to take

Flying into the UK and starting life in a whole new country means it will be impossible to bring absolutely everything you need. Make sure you check what your luggage allowance is with your flight provider and remember Northampton has all the shops you will need to be able to buy the non-essentials when you get here. UNIC also can provide you with a ‘welcome pack’ for £25. We will leave the pack in your accommodation for you on arrival and it includes duvet, pillow, sheet, bed linen, a plate, side plate, bowl, cutlery, pan, toilet roll, a mug and glass. Simply select the 'yes' option on the application form to order yours. That's one less thing to worry about when you arrive in the UK.

4)      Familiarised yourself with what you need to bring to enrolment

To enrol we need a number of documents including your passport, Original Academic and English Qualifications/Certificates as listed on your CAS, Proof of UK Address (tenancy agreement/bank statement) and copy of your CAS statement. You should have been sent all this information around ten days before enrolment opens.

5)      Joined the UNIC student Facebook Group

Got a Facebook account? This group is exclusive for UNIC students. Meet your future classmates, ask questions to former students, find out who is in your halls of residence and make friends before you even set foot in the UK. Click here to join now.

That’s it! Once you have completed these five things you are ready to have fun and make the most of your first few weeks in Northampton. Enjoy and remember if you have any questions our Student Services Team are always here to help!

[unicstudents]

Lecturer Profile: Scott Turner

1.  What modules do you teach?

I teach two modules at the University of Northampton. These are ‘Problem-Solving and Programming’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence Techniques’

2.  What qualifications do you currently hold?

PhD, Fellowship of Higher Education Academy and Memberships of IET, IEEE, BCS and ACM

3.  How long have you taught at the University of Northampton?

18 years

4. What do you like most about Computing as a subject?

The variety and challenge of new technologies and getting to try out new ideas. They are changing all the time.

5.  Where else have you taught/worked?

I was a Research Assistant at the University of Oxford and worked for a large electronics company whilst at University.

6. Have you participated in any research?

I am the currently in charge of research in computing, with quite a few PhD students successfully supervised to becoming PhDs themselves. One of the great aspects about research in computing is its variety. It can cover anything from the social side of computing to highly technical work. In my career so far I worked on projects involving medical applications, robotics, networking, education, vibration in lifts and many others.

7. What is your tip for University success?

Don’t just go for the pass and grab opportunities as they come. There are opportunities to do things like volunteering as well others within the subject area– look for them and take them. Use the university years to make friends, excel at your studies but also to expand your CV with other areas.

8. What is your tip for success in a Computing career?

My answer to this really follows on from the tip for University success. Computing provides a great grounding for success –but  you have to balance the technical skills with skills such as group-work, managing time and independent working. Show all these skills, don’t leave others that are just good technically; instead be good technically, but ensure you can work with others and have more to offer personally than just technical skills.

[unicstudents]

“My Path to the TD Lewis Award”

I commenced my studies at the University of Northampton International College (UNIC) in October, 2017. On arrival, I came with the mindset of doing the very best I could during my time at University as the efforts and sacrifices my parents made to get me to the UK to pursue my Law degree were and are still fresh in my mind.

Seeing as I had already missed a full month of classes due to exceptional circumstances, my primary objective was to catch up with all the work I had missed and get up to speed with the facilities and online education tools. It was not at all a walk in the park, but after two semesters, I look back and I am quite satisfied as I left UNIC with high-flying grades, just as I had planned.

I enquired from the UNIC staff about possible scholarship opportunities and was adequately advised to check on the main university website which is where I came across the TD Lewis Scholarship. This immediately caught my interest because of the history attached to the bursary. It was a sum left to the university by a prominent figure in the shoe-making industry (which Northampton is well known for).

I checked the requirements and saw that academic excellence was, quite obviously, the main reason for students being considered. Other factors included student potential, teacher recommendation, and involvement in extra-curricular activities. I was reasonably confident that I could satisfy each of those requirements

As an international student from the Caribbean, I was very much aware of the new opportunities available to me as I stepped off my flight at Heathrow. This fueled my drive to not take anything for granted and I made it my personal challenge to achieve as much as possible without burning myself out. This tested me on various ways physically and mentally; but by the end of my time at UNIC, I had been elected as Student President and Captain of the football team. Alongside these positions, I always made a point of being involved with any promotional activities, blogs or writing articles for the student newspaper.

To be considered for the award you must first submit an application and if successful you will be invited to a set of interviews. During the final stage of my interview with the proprietors of the scholarship, they made it clear that my application and achievements were impressive which gave me an extra boost and relaxed my nerves a bit; I was then able to answer their questions with more ease and more articulately.

I felt I had done well leaving that interview, but one can never be too sure. Thankfully, after about 10 days, I received THE email. It was congratulating me on my award of £550 from the proprietors. That feeling of accomplishment... I can't even begin to explain it. Getting the money was an amazing feeling as I knew it would help to ease the financial weight on my parents, but it was the fact that my efforts were noticed and rewarded that was the real prize.

I sincerely appreciate the proprietors, the university, UNIC staff, and everyone who helped me along the way to gaining such recognition; there are no plans whatsoever to slow down as I progress to the University! Watch this space!”

By Llnnall Emanuel, LLB (Hons) Law.

If you want more information bout scholarships and bursaries that could be available to you as a current student please click here.

[unicstudents]

“Why I am proud I studied a UNIC Pre-Master’s”

Odette Matchum Foko, Cameroon, Pre-Master’s leading to MSc Project Management with work placement.

“As this was my first time studying in the UK, UNIC really helped me build my academic skills in listening, writing and speaking before starting my main course with the University. I would recommend other international students to strongly consider this option because it means you start your Master’s course ready and prepared for the challenges studying in a new culture brings. Without my start at UNIC I think I would have felt lost and behind my classmates.

I am certainly not behind as I recently received the highest grade in my class of 45 other students for an essay we had to submit and that made me beam with pride. I never expected that could be me coming from a background where English is my second language.

UNIC has reputable and qualified lecturers to help you integrate into British culture and build your academic skills. As an international institution, it welcomes students for many countries which is a great opportunity to learn from other cultures as well as meet people from your own. I'm proud to have been part of the UNIC community because I am UNIC.”

#IamUNIC

[unicstudents]

“A model experience” – Modelling for University of Northampton charity event

By Fashion Marketing student – Ali Raza, Pakistan

I have always had a passion for the world of fashion, hence why I chose to pursue a degree in Fashion Marketing at UNIC and the University of Northampton.  As part of my studies an amazing opportunity was presented to me. I was asked to model for the University at a very prestigious charity event.

Organised by other Fashion Marketing students, this was a fashion show with a modern masquerade theme. I was told there would also be live music, a raffle and a cocktail reception as well as the show itself. I knew this was a once in a lifetime experience and as my future studies related, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved.

Stepping in the World of Fashion

On accepting the offer to be a part of the event, I went to the University’s Avenue Campus, which was where I met with the fashion faculty and was told what exactly I would be doing. They took my sizes for the clothes I would be wearing and when they spoke about the show and the attendees who would be there I got so excited and felt privileged to be a part of it.

Preparing for the show

Finally the day of the catwalk show arrived. As I went to the location I saw a big hall with impressive architecture named “Borja”, which was the venue for the day. It was setup brilliantly for a fashion spectacular with a stage for the catwalk itself, a sweet smell of perfume in the air, a bunch of beautiful models with clothing, most of which was made by the University of Northampton Fashion students.

I was escorted into the models room. It was awesome to see many beautiful faces, cool outfits, makeup artists and hairstylists all under one roof.

I had my hair and makeup done and felt so special and pampered. I was then given the clothes I was going to model. My train of happiness was unstoppable that day. Absorbed in my billionaire like feeling and thoughts, I was going to wear the existing modified clothes of Gucci and Neil Barret by hard-work of University fashion design students.

It’s show time!

After couple of hours waiting for the guests to arrive, it was now the show time! My heart was beating so fast, especially when it was getting near to my turn to do my section of the catwalk. I avoided being panicked and my self-motivation pushed me near the door. The signal of ‘be ready’ was given and on the count of 3, heart beating at the speed of light, the huge heavy door opened slowly for me. I felt like I was in space and the world was revolving in slow motion.

Relaxing music in the background, flashes of cameras twinkling like night stars, the spotlight just focusing on me, smiling faces of people and wide open eyes staring at every bit of myself. It boosted my confidence and naturally my attitude evolved to - let’s grab some more attention of the audience!  As I started my catwalk, I was advised that I have to cover four points, on every point I have to stop, show my charm and clearly display the uniqueness of the clothes I was wearing.

Yes I did it!!!

A huge round of applause and appreciation overwhelmed my emotions. I felt my importance in the loving world of people and felt l could never forget this experience. I thank the University of Northampton for the privilege to be involved and can’t wait to see what other opportunities will come my way at this fantastic institution.

For more information on the Fashion and Footwear Foundation courses available at UNIC please click here.

[unicstudents]

“These Social Networks”

These social networks, which make us lose our values and our identity

The social I.

I hope that the more you read, the more you will understand

Wait - I'm gonna position myself:

“I need my shoe to appear on the photo.” “I'm sorry I need to make my watch appear on the photo.” “Lend me your hat, your glasses, your bracelet, your lipstick, your underpants

(I like to exaggerate like my mother)

I need these things so I can look better” “Give me your jacket, I'll wear it just for the pose” “Wait, I'll sit in front of the computer screen.”

That will look better. I have to have a lot of likes. “Wait, I'm gonna change, I'm not going to show that same garment again!?”

I wore it last week.

Now we go to the demands Want more likes, eat this! Comment here, you can put your family under a more stable roof if you do. Shares that and you can prove to people you are truly happy.

Your parents who invest in your studies so you become someone later, what's your plan for them? These millions of likes

Do you really know these people?

Will a good social media profile be able to help you when you're in need?

Last question, forget the social media. And ask - Do you love yourself?

Please let us focus on simple and important things. Let us learn to accept us as we are, and above all to fight against this "new society" the world wants to inflict on us.

You may see this as an unorthodox way of speaking.

But it is just because you aren’t used to someone challenging the system.

PS: the photo has nothing to do with context, I just needed to get your attention.

-Thank you.-

[unicstudents]

Two years on - Victor’s return to Northampton

Victor Agboola, former University of Northampton student, who was also the President of the Students’ Union, returned to campus last month. Although he now works for Navitas back in his home country of Nigeria, he got the exciting opportunity to visit his former student home. Here is what he thought of the experience.

“I felt relieved coming back to Northampton as it will always be a very special place to me filled with good memories. It was a bit strange visiting after just under 2 years of leaving but after just a few minutes of being on campus, it almost felt like I had never left.

Since 2016, there has been a lot of changes and positive changes I am pleased to say. I attended UNIC’s official opening just before I left in September 2016 and so I noticed there has been a couple of new staff members since then and this is great in terms of offering more support for the UNIC students.

We had lunch with students in the Park Restaurant, somewhere I used to go a lot in my student days. That was brilliant as I got to see the new look for the restaurant since its refurbishment and I wish it looked like that when I was there – it was almost like a garden centre with lots of greenery and plants inside. I was able to chat with the students to get their opinions of Northampton as a town and as a University. I got to see a couple of familiar faces such as my old lectures, former colleagues at the SU and also got to play a bit of football with the staff team.

One of the highlights of my trip was getting to see the University’s brand new Waterside Campus that opens this September. As President of the Students’ Union I was heavily involved with the initial talks around Waterside and seeing the planning come together. I was stunned and short of words being able to see the buildings standing on the ground instead of just a model or artist impression. It was exactly how I pictured it would be, if not better.

The design of the new campus is really modern and the way the buildings link each other and connect is my favourite thing about Waterside. I think it is going to give the students at Northampton a totally different experience and one I wish I could have had as a student. Considering the campus site is aimed at being the first Changemaker campus, a badge already given by Ashoka U for the University’s commitment to social impact, you just know the student experience is going to be very impressive.

I love the fact there is now a brand new Students’ Union in the town centre. We visited there and I feel there’s more calmness in town with the SU being there, I noticed a huge amount of students were just hanging out there and socialising. I feel this brings great positivity to the University and to the town itself. We went for dinner at a restaurant that wasn’t there when I was a student, a popular Caribbean food chain called Turtle Bay. I think it is great that more popular names and eateries are coming to Northampton as it shows it is growing in demand and popularity. With more students in the town centre I am sure restaurants and bars like this will keep coming!

The University of Northampton has numerous opportunities available to build yourself and make the best of your experience. My advice would be make the most of your time at Northampton, get involved with the University, the Union and the community and whenever in doubt, never hesitate to ask Questions. Your UNIC family and the wider University Team are always on hand to give advice when required.

[unicstudents]

MBA - Advice and guidance from a current student

We caught up with Runwage Chihuri, former UNIC Pre-Master’s student and current MBA student to get some information about the placement aspect of this postgraduate course and what his advice would be for any students hoping to also experience it.

1)      Why did you choose to study the MBA?

The primary reason I wanted to study the MBA is because I wanted a career change. I had worked in investments in Malaysia then Accounting and Finance in Singapore and Mauritius but decided I wanted to venture into Management Consultancy. So the MBA was the logical next step for me as most companies hire Associates with MBA's as it is a world-recognised qualification for business professionals.

2)        What advice would you give to anyone thinking of doing a Pre-Master’s before their Master’s?

Personally I would say it is a very good idea because it allows you to take your studies very seriously. My advice would be to be inquisitive, have a thirst for knowledge and utilise the UoN resources even though you are still at UNIC. For example, join societies, visit the Changemaker Hub, play sports etc. Take time to learn the culture and experience living in a different culture. International experience and exposure is invaluable to most organisations.

3)        What is your favourite thing about the UK?

 I like the rich history and culture. Also, the equal opportunities presented in the workplace.

4)      What advice would you give to students also hoping to do the work placement element of the MBA?

I would advise any student hoping to do the work placement to utilise the Changemaker Hub early. Don’t wait until it is too late – be proactive! Convert your CVs and cover letters to the UK version as this is important, especially if you are from somewhere with many cultural differences. Attend networking events, career fairs and mock interviews provided by the University services. It is also often good to create a professional online identity, preferably LinkedIn. 

I would also advise trying to get work experience in the UK, either volunteering or part-time. It is essential to develop leadership skills through volunteering for positions of authority like being a student rep or ambassador. Commercial awareness/business acumen is a major plus, so students should get a copy (every day if possible) of the Financial Times which is provided for free by the University in the Cottesbrooke building.

5)      What are you doing for your placement?

 I work as an Administrator in the Office of Placements and Work Based Learning at the University. I do bits of everything from employer engagement to providing peer to peer sessions, administrative work, events planning and management and some project management.

6)      What do you like most about your placement?

 I like the fact that it is tailored towards the skills I want to develop during the year. When I started the placement, I sat down with my manager and identified areas which I wanted to improve, develop or skills that I would like to acquire over the course of the year and she tailored it towards that. The skills identified included, events planning and management, communication, interpersonal skills and project management.

7)      What is the most challenging thing you have had to deal with on the placement so far?

I think the most challenging thing has been student engagement. It takes a lot in terms of incentives and time following up to motivate students. This is mainly because they tend to be relaxed about things until it's too late to act upon something, such as make a job application or submit an assignment.

8)      You mention you are involved in some event planning, can you tell us about that?

 The event I most recently planned was a Placement Fair. It was targeted to students from the Faculty of Business and Law who would like to get work experience through placements and internships. The event was a success with 15 employment providers (more than double they had last year) and about 120 students participated (triple the amount that attended last year).

9)      What do you hope to do when you graduate?

 I intend to enter a graduate management programme in any industry as I think I will be prepared to work in any business environment as long as I am using some of these skills.

10)   If you had the chance to start he MBA all over again is there anything you would do differently?

Yes, If I could go back I would have done more to improve my employability skills by taking part in more career fairs, mock interviews and networking events so I cannot stress the importance of that if you are hoping to secure a placement too!

Runwage will finish the placement and complete the MBA on the 31st of January 2019. He will graduate later that year. If you have a question about the placement or any other aspect of the MBA please email info@unic.northampton.ac.uk and a member of the Team will get back to you.

[unicstudents]

UNIC Lecturer elected International Students’ Officer for Students’ Union

We caught up with Imane Tiahi, current UNIC lecturer who has just been elected as the University of Northampton Students’ Union Officer for International Students. Read on to find out why she is passionate about the role and how she plans to use her UNIC connections to further increase integration, campus diversity and improve the student experience.

1) Why does the Students' Union elect Officers each year?

The Students’ Union is a regulatory body run by elected sabbatical officers for the benefit of the University of Northampton students. There are a number of positions covering every aspect of student life from ethics and environment to disabled and mature students. In order to maintain the democratic process, every role goes out to elections to give everyone a fair chance.

2)  How did it feel to be elected for International Students’ Officer?

I always strive to serve the society around me. In order to fulfil this aim, I ran for International Students’ Officer so that I can be in better position to understand and resolve various issues that international students encounter within their academic career. Thus, being successfully elected as an officer I feel humble and look forward to the opportunity and the positive difference I can hopefully make.

3) Did you have to campaign or do anything to be considered for this position?

Yes I did campaign by promoting myself via the SU channels and facilities. I also put a full manifesto together. Along with it, I participated in a mandatory question and answer round to share my views and agendas for this position. Communicating and reaching out to students personally and handing out flyers was also the part of campaign.

4) Why are you passionate about in this role?

Being an international student myself and a lecturer for the international students at UNIC, I feel I really understand the needs of this community. I found it quite difficult to adapt when I arrived in the UK, particularly around adjusting with socio-cultural issues. My passion comes from my attitude to help others -- especially those in the international community around my University. If I can help them to feel less apprehensive then I will feel like I am making a real difference.

5) What are the key things you hope to do in this role?

I would like to focus on strengthening the English language fluency of international students at first by looking into extra classes and clubs they can get involved in. Along with this, I plan to organise events like cultural music talent shows to make sure we are celebrating and valuing cultural difference and how they can enrich campus life. I would like to handle complaints, hopefully reducing complaints from international students. I would also like to tackle issues around tuition fees, attending national conferences. Finally I would like to work with various other Universities to understand opportunities to engage in development, working with Students’ Union societies to broaden the sense of community here.

6) How will you make sure UNIC students specifically are supported in your role?

I have done a lot of work already with the Marketing Department at UNIC to try and understand UNIC’s areas for support and I hope to increase this in my role. UNIC students have full access to all the same facilities and clubs as Northampton students so I want to broadcast this more and make sure they are not missing out. I would also like to take regular feedback from UNIC students and analyse it to meet their individual needs. By working collaboratively with UNIC officials, I will also get informed about the different events which are being conducted by the institution for supporting them. I will make sure I participate in those events and show my support by making any notes of assistance and finally planning strategies of implementation.

If you have got a question for Imane or feel that you have an idea for how she can improve the international student experience as part of her role please email info@unic.northampton.ac.uk or share this post with your ideas. We would love to hear from you and are sure it will be something all students can benefit from.

Have you joined FISH? FISH offers International students the opportunity to meet local people and take part in events and trips. They meet at the Globe cafe at the Cottesbrooke Hub, Park Campus every Monday between 7.15pm-9.15pm during term-time. Join them for a chat and cakes; there are also talks/quizzes some weeks. Join the Facebook Group to find out more here https://www.facebook.com/groups/36799837815/about/

[unicstudents]

“Finding your place on placement”

By Sayyada Master, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

So if you are just like me, you too will have enrolled yourself on a course that requires you to do a work placement. The idea of placement sounds daunting, especially as you are putting yourself in a new situation, in a different setting, a different trust and are given different people you need to work with. 

My course is a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy and placements are part of the degree. This is because The Royal College of Occupational Therapists stipulates that students must complete 1000 hours of placement during their studies in order to be able to register as an Occupational Therapist. At the University of Northampton, this is divided between the three years. On your first year, you will complete 6 weeks of placement, 9 weeks in your second year and 12 weeks in your final year.

I recently completed my first placement in what is referred to as ‘an acute physical setting.’ This basically means somewhere where people have physical needs to attend to and mine was in a hospital setting. Being in a hospital environment means you are working in a very fast-paced area. The main aim of therapy there was the safe discharge of patients into their own homes. I worked with a lot of older people who had broken their bones as a result of trauma.

A typical day at placement started at 8:30 am and finished at 4:30 pm. Three times a week, I was lucky to have a friend on the same placement as me that gave me a lift. On the other two days, I had to take a 2-hour bus to and from placement.  

Throughout the 6 weeks, I felt my personal growth to become a better therapist. Initially, I was shadowing and observing my educator (a member of staff who supervises and guides you through your placement). Eventually, at week 3, I started performing certain tasks on my own with supervision of my educator. As I built trust with my educator and increased my competency in certain tasks, I was able to work more autonomously and perform some tasks on my own, however all placement settings vary. One of these tasks was an initial interview where the Occupational Therapist (OT) speaks to the client and gets information from them about their situation in order to help them create goals to work on. This is an informal conversation, however is very vital to collect information.

What I learnt in my 6 weeks is everyone is different. No two people will react the exact same way to a given situation and sometimes no matter how hard it is, there is always a solution to a problem. The best part of OT is that the career gives you lots of room for you to make your own path, one that is as unique as you are. In other words, know that there is no one-way to do anything, no formula that is fool proof. This requires you to stay self-aware and true to yourself. Utilize your talents, constantly learn new things, and share and collaborate with others for the greater good. You get to combine traditional and non-traditional ways of collecting those experiences and doing meaningful work.

More than that, every experience, good or bad is just another enhancement to your development. It is a stepping stone forward to the future you make for yourself and you can experiment in different settings before you find your perfect job when you graduate. Each setting has a different challenge to it. What I liked best about the course offered at the University of Northampton is the early start to placement in the second term of your first year. This made me feel that I had room to decide if the course was truly for me and after my placement I was relived to know that I did make the right decision after all.

If I had to give advice to anyone who is about to go on placement, I would say:

1.      Your placement ties the theory all together:

The theory you learn at university prior to placement is not exclusive from your placement itself. Use your theoretical knowledge during placement and connect the two together. Placement really ties together what information you get in class

2.      Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know:

Although placement is graded, there are no negative marks for asking questions if you don’t know! In fact you will need to be aware of your limitations and expand on your knowledge with the experience you get.

3.      Speak to your educator:

If there is anything that bothers you or if you would like to do something, speak to your educator. Chances are that they will be totally on board and will help you out incredibly.

4.      Keep a reflective journal:

If I had to look back at my days at placement, I would only remember a skimmed section of the day. Keeping a journal helped me see how much I accomplished and how much more I would like to do as well. It allowed me to keep track of my thoughts on the day it happened and it made my experience more fruitful generally.

I personally believe that the best way to learn is to experience and I am so grateful that my course allows me to have it as a part of my training.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first placement and I am so excited and prepared for my next one!

[unicstudents]

“Leading ladies” - International Women’s Day 2018

International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women all around the world and so we wanted to mark the occasion by focusing an entire blog on the achievements of some of our wonderful female students past and present.

Firstly, meet Damilola Oke, who came over to study in the UK from Nigeria at just sixteen years of age. Whilst studying Mechanical Engineering she has been vocal in giving her advice and tips to new students, particularly around exams and coping with revision and study pressure. In one of her blogs she says:

“I want to mention why it is important to always stay determined. Your lecturers can do everything they can to believe in you but you must first believe in yourself. Success is for those who strive for the best and you can only do that if you have some confidence in yourself.”

We couldn’t agree more, Damilola.

 Next we would like to draw your attention to one of our inspirational female lecturers, Rebecca Rickaby. Alongside delivering UNIC’s Science and Healthcare Foundation last year Rebecca was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in molecular genetics.

Undertaking a PhD takes a lot of commitment and dedication. You are in charge of your research project and have to manage your time between researching, reading, data collection, analysis and any other commitments you have. We think Rebecca is an inspiration to anyone also considering striving towards this milestone achievement in education.

Rebecca commented: “After four years waiting for this moment I couldn’t begin to explain the sense of pride I felt when stepping on the stage to receive the award. If you have the passion and determination in your chosen field then you too can achieve anything you put your mind to.”

Thanks Rebecca, such great advice!

 And if that wasn’t inspiring enough we have Mary-Jane Okpala who earned herself some serious friendship points during Ramadan last year.

She explained: “My housemate was fasting for Ramadan and her eating times were obviously dependent on the sun. This meant we couldn’t have our normal eating times together and to be honest I just felt so guilty ever eating in front of her. Even though it is not something I would partake in I used to wait until the sun went down to have my evening meal too so we could eat together and still catch-up.”

Truly inspirational Mary, your friend is very lucky!

 And what about women leading the way in business and entrepreneurship?

Sayyorakhon (Sara), former UNIC Pre-Master’s student from Uzbekistan, was inspired to start her own business alongside her Northampton studies.

She said: “I recently set-up a clothes and accessories line called “Pure Ikat” using materials and silk from my home country, Uzbekistan. I wanted to start something that would try and introduce England to the Uzbek beauty of culture through that vibrant and colourful clothing that are loved by our people.

“The clothes and accessories are all hand-made and I am currently planning to sell them online, locally and in the capital, London.I have already been in conversations with the people behind the Jubilee Market about pitching up there and am also in the middle of creating a website.”

 Such an achievement, well done Sara!

 And finally, we have Millie, now studying Environmental Science at the University of Northampton. She shared her experiences with current UNIC students as to why you should use your lecturers for the extra support they are there for. She is very passionate about this as she explained that she too was scared to put her hand up in class to ask for help. At one stage of her course she finally plucked up the courage to ask her lecturer at the end of the session. She was still unsure with the lecturer’s explanation and ended up emailing her for further clarification again that evening. The lecturer decided that other students may be in a similar position to Millie and so she set up an online platform where all her students could ask questions and talk about topics outside the classroom environment.

Well done Millie, you not only helped yourself but have helped all your classmates and all students since as the platform is still used today.

 If you are proud to be an independent woman or want to pay tribute to someone who you know is then this is the day to do it. So share your photos, take part in local and campus events and help broaden to conversation and inspire others too.

[unicstudents]

Mental Health Awareness – Coping with stress at University

As it is University Mental Health Day we wanted to touch on an important part of mental health and well-being – ‘stress.’

Stress is something we all experience and to varying degrees. As a student you might feel stressed about assignments and deadlines, about being so far away from home, money struggles or about generally being outside of your comfort zone. This is perfectly normal and the best thing you can do is try and reduce stress in your life as much possible.

Easier said than done though, right?

When new students join us here at UNIC, the Student Services Team talk about a method called ‘The stress bucket’. This metaphorical bucket helps you to visualise the things that stress you out as a person and how you can then deal with them.

So how does it work?

First you need to imagine that you have a bucket that is full of everything that makes you feel stressed. If you are a person that gets stressed easily then your bucket might be extremely full but if you are more resilient to stress there might just be just a few things in there. This will differ from person to person and can also differ depending on time as we can often be more prone to stress during certain situations.

Next you must imagine that the bucket has a tap that can open to let the stress out.

If you are good at coping with stress then the tap is working and relieving you of stress. In contrast if you are bad at coping with stress then your tap is not working and your bucket gets fuller and fuller risking an overflow!

So how can we avoid an over-flowing bucket and what is the solution?

Two things we can change are either the amount of stress coming in or our ability to cope with this stress once we have it. The best way to do this is by first recognising the stresses that are affecting you right now. For example, if your stress is to do with handing in an assignment, could you make sure you start your preparation earlier or arrange a 1-2-1 session with your tutor? If you are stressed about finding a part-time job could you organise a meeting with the careers services at the University or block out times of your day to actively research jobs in the area?

Next, identify the unhelpful ways of coping. Are you getting enough sleep? Being tired and sleep deprived can make us irritable and lead to more stress. Perhaps you could start thinking about your daily routine and how to improve your physical health which will in-turn help with your mental health.

Ali Raza, current UNIC Fashion Marketing student, mentioned that one of the things he did to overcome stress was to take up regular exercise and eating healthy food such as more vegetables, fruits, and more fluid intake.

He said: “When I first arrived in the UK I used to eat a lot of fast food and being around class mates and new friends all the time meant I was influenced to make cheap unhealthy food choices in order to make more time for assignments and socialising. Now I plan ahead and make an effort to eat better I feel less stressed because I generally feel better in myself and have planned ahead.”

Finally, think of problem-focused coping skills you could use instead and also the emotion-focused coping skills too.

Mary-Jane Okpala, former UNIC student now studying BSc (Hons) Human Bioscience at the University of Northampton, said: “When I feel stressed about university work I make a list of the things I need to get done and then when I have completed them I give myself a treat. The idea of giving myself a treat has actually helped me get more work done as I know there is a positive outcome at the end of it.”

This positive reinforcement method can help our brains to cope with stress as our bodies know there is something good at the end of it all. Mary also mentions making a list, another great coping mechanism. Physical lists stop your brain from having to work even harder to keep all the things you need to do in your head.

The best thing you can do is talk, don’t bottle things up, use friends and family and your support network. Be open about how you feel and what could make you more prone to experiencing stress.

Mary-Jane concludes by saying: “My advice would be take a break from your books, talk to friend, set goals to achieve by the end of the week and plan a reward.”

[unicstudents]

“Same, same but different” - A stranger in a new world

Imagine that you are at the tip of the ninety-degree fall. The sudden anxiety and excitement you feel, the thrill of not knowing what is happening next. That is what I felt when I took off with my luggage to leave to start my education in Northampton. 

I was about to start a new adventure on my own for the very first time. Everybody that mattered to me, was now 7000 miles away back in India. Exciting as it was to lead a life without any parental advisory, and enjoying a proper student life in a whole new culture, I was still anxious about seeing so many new faces and having to live in a whole new country.

Once I had stepped off the plane at Heathrow, a cold breeze hit my entire body, head to toe, I assure you it wasn’t pleasant. As a person from India we are used to temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) at this time of year so arriving in just 17 degrees Celsius was a major change and something I am still adjusting to.

In fact, it is not just the temperature that makes India and the UK so different. Food! Thinking of food back at home, I was so excited to eat junk food every day without anyone having to keep an eye on me. However, it all changed once I landed in the UK. Being an Indian makes me enjoy spicy food however for the English spice is something quite unusual. Even the Indian restaurants here prepare food which would appeal the British people. Can’t wait for them to really try some real Indian spicy food!

I felt so welcomed when I first arrived in UK especially because here in UK, people follow a trend of greeting every person they see. It was so new to me, as people in India walk past each other without even noticing. Not only that but people’s helpful approach to you also makes you feel comfortable. People were, and still are really kind and helpful which helped me make friends quite fast. When I look back at India now, I feel that there is so much India could learn in terms of communication which would definitely help the entire country grow for the better.

Being in the UK now I get to feel part of History since India was a British colony. There is more shared history and more sharing of culture than we actually understand and being here now truly makes me understand it. India has a rich history that makes it a truly marvellous country yet the UK too has a history beyond imagination. I think that’s what makes me eager to experience everything.

Written by Vinayaka Agarwal, Mumbai

First Year Business leading to BA (Hons) Events Management