A home from home: postgraduate student profile
Working in the energy industry in India, Akshat Agarwal (MA Management) decided that he needed formal expertise in management in order to realise his career ambitions. Seeking a one-year master’s degree in an international environment, he selected Manchester, where all his expectations were met – and exceeded.
On arrival
“The University supplied me with a lot of pre-departure communications, so by the time I boarded my flight to Manchester I knew what to expect. Then the welcome from the student ambassadors’ team at the airport was phenomenal. I felt at home as soon as I arrived here.
“I participated in almost all the activities in the Welcome week, made myself acquainted with the city, with the University and its resources – Careers Service, student services, the Students’ Union. We had city tours, supermarket tours. I really got involved.”
On campus and city
“Manchester is a very student-friendly city and so welcoming. I thought it would be a conventional campus: four walls with the university inside, and outside the campus is the city. But the fact that the University is spread across the city makes Manchester your home.
“No matter where you come from, or what your interests are – sports, history, culture, art, food – you’ll find something that Manchester has to offer. It’s been a very pleasant experience and I’m really going to miss it.”
On global connections
“Manchester is good for international students. I was expecting the student community to be very diverse, but Manchester is more than just diverse. I really enjoyed the feeling of being around people from all over the world. I can confidently say today that I have friends from at least 60 countries, and these relationships I’m sure I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“When students from different nationalities come together, different cultures, countries and perspectives, the discussions that follow are very enriching. When you question the status quo, that’s when you come up with something new, you come up with breakthrough technologies, breakthrough innovations.”
On extracurricular development
“I wanted to see what leadership potential I had. So I nominated myself as chairman of the Residents’ Association in my postgrad-only hall of residence, and I was elected. Ever since, I have involved myself in organising activities for students: pizza nights, day trips, cross-cultural dinners. People really enjoy it.”