Ninoska Barzey
- Course
- International Business BSc
- Subject area
- Business and Economics
One of the reasons I chose to study International Business was because doing a placement was compulsory and so I would have industry experience after I graduate. Although applying for placements was stressful, I must give a massive shout-out to the placements team who helped me hugely! Being able to complete a placement and study abroad were the highlights of my course. This really helps you to pave a career you’re interested in whilst allowing you to learn the theory and apply practicality to what you’re learning in lectures.
I have massively developed my employability and career prospects throughout my time at Loughborough. The placement year was very helpful in this sense as I studied and worked abroad. One of the first year modules – Skills for Study, Placement and Employment – helped bridge the skills for placement year and employment overall. Loughborough also holds career events that have allowed me to network with industry leaders and communicate with top brands. I’ve developed my ability to write a CV, my communication/interpersonal skills and my determination to achieve what I want in life.
For my placement, I worked for a small marketing firm in Barcelona called Degustabox. I had a six-month internship in the Sales and Marketing department and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I learnt so much about the marketing industry within the US market and improved my sales skills. My placement allowed me to introduce skills I had learnt whilst studying abroad and knowledge that I had learnt through my course.
I was really shocked when I received a letter stating that I had been selected to receive the School Dean’s Award for Internationalisation. I wasn’t expecting it at all, so it was such a pleasant surprise. I’m so grateful and feel humbled above anything that the School recognized me for this award. It’s amazing to be recognized for your efforts and I’m very thankful.
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience something new. I’ve always been interested in travelling and learning about different cultures and so having the opportunity to study in another country was a dream come true.
I studied in France for six months in a small town called Angers. I’ve studied French since secondary school and so going to France and being able to practice was a great way to communicate and test my language skills. The partner university was quite small compared to most UK universities, so the classes were much smaller groups. It was very interesting to see the difference in teaching styles.
One of the highlights of my time in France was going to Paris every so often. The first time I went I completely fell in love with the city. It was a supernatural feeling because the day was glorious; the sun was shining, and everything just seemed perfect, and it was. The food was also a highlight – crepes are my all-time favourite! When it came to studying, I really liked the fact that they didn’t separate the international students from the French students; everybody was mixed and so I got the chance to make French friends.
Overall, it was an amazing experience that I will always value. I learnt so much about myself as a person, improved many different skills such as communication, adaptability, independence, time management and more, and got to make new friends and learn about a different culture. I would do it all over again If I could!
After France, I travelled to Germany. I had a really good time and it was a very different experience. I lived in Germany’s most multicultural city, Cologne, which was very different to France and much more like the way lecturers teach in the UK. The highlights of my experience in Cologne would have to be the Christmas markets which were beautiful, Cologne Carnival, and the way I got to see first-hand how Germans value and look after their environment with lots of open spaces.
To anyone thinking about studying the course, I would say do it! The course will give you a well-rounded perspective of business and provide you with amazing opportunities to study abroad and gain first-hand experience in an industry you’re interested in.
This course has opened so many doors for me, which is why I recommend anybody to study it. Whether you’re interested in finance, HR, marketing, management or operations – the course provides you with all these elements of which you can choose what you’d like to specialise in.
My lifelong dream is to launch my own business with a blazer line for professional women because I believe that if men can suit up, so can women. There aren’t many businesses that tailor blazers to women and that’s the gap I want to fill, whether it be in the UK or back home in the Dominican Republic. I also want to gain experience in the property investment industry by investing and managing a portfolio before starting my own business. I want to help others and make a positive difference in the world.
Over the course of my degree, I’ve had some ups and downs as we all do, however, the things that I’ve learnt about myself, the experiences that I’ve gone through, the opportunities that I’ve been given, the awards I’ve been presented with, the activities I’ve been a part of, have all contributed to me having the most fulfilling Loughborough experience. It’s been a journey that I can only be thankful for because I’ve become in tune with who I am. University shapes you and bridges the gap between your teenage years and adulthood. It may sound scary but it’s the best part of life.
All I can say to prospective students is to enjoy the journey. The Loughborough experience will change your life for the better as it will allow you to tap into your potential. Every student has different goals in mind, different ideas, and different things that they want to achieve in life. Get involved, grasp the opportunities available, network, make friends, ask questions and above all, live the Loughborough experience!
Ninoska graduated from Loughborough University in 2018.