I’ve been learning how to use important digital tools like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, and one of the most interesting skills I’ve gained is editing video in Premiere Pro. 199
Your future career means the world to us UWE Bristol is a fantastic university for helping you realise your career dreams. Committed to preparing you for the world of work, UWE gives you the skills and experience you’ll need to succeed. Our huge range of services is available to help you develop your employability.
Thailand My university life there was exciting, and I’d even say incredible. My classes at UWE imparted a warm feeling to me. Thanaphol Jindaapiraks (Jin) MSc International Management, 2019 “ “ 201
F ollowing the completion of my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Bangkok University, I started working with an IT company in Thailand as a salesperson. I wasn’t yet satisfied with my position, so during that time I was thinking about what I could do to grow professionally in my career. In Thailand, one’s degree can make a big difference in what position and salary they receive, and with a master’s degree indicating a deep set of knowledge in a given field, it can be highly effective and desirable in this regard. Contemplating this, I decided to go for my master’s after two years of work with the IT company. I began researching programmes at universities in Thailand, but my family suggested that I look to institutions abroad for this next undertaking. I had studied English for a year in Australia previously, so I did have some experience abroad in an English-speaking country, and this also made me consider Australia first as I began my search. The UK was another potential destination I was looking seriously at, and in comparing the two I took into account things like course fees, living expenses, and so on, before deciding that the UK would be the better option. I found the process of applying for the MSc International Management course and acquiring my visa all quite easy. Miss Joy and Miss Prim from UWE Asia Pacific’s Thailand office were there to guide and support me every step of the way, and I met with them several times throughout that period. Though there was no hardship involved, it was necessary that I thoroughly read all the documentation they provided to ensure an understanding of all the relevant factors, such as what kind of accommodation would best suit me, and other things I needed to determine to set myself up for a great year of study. I was a little bit nervous as my departure date grew close, with thoughts running through my head about what my life was going to be like in the UK and how different it might be from what I was used to — either my regular life in Bangkok or what things had been like for me in Australia previously. My excitement, though, and all my anticipation toward exploring a new city and country, far surpassed any trepidation. I had instances of culture shock sometimes in settling into Bristol, but learning to both live and learn there, and of course enjoying the experience to the fullest with classmates, professors and the people around me, was all rewarding. I lived alone in a flat near the city centre, but it was easy to take a bus down to Frenchay Campus where my classes were. To put it in a nutshell, my university life there was exciting, and I’d even say incredible. My classes at UWE imparted a warm feeling to me, because I made many friends from other countries in them. One thing I loved about it was that I never experienced any discrimination based on race or nationality, and discovered that everybody was willing to be friends no matter where in the world they came from. Some of those I was closest to included Nepalese, Swiss, and some fellow students from Thailand as well. Those friendships extended well beyond classroom walls, too. We’d go to the library together to study, hang out in different places, or have some drinks at the bar. What I enjoyed most about the International Management course, though, was the way that the professors taught, alternating between theory, engaging activities, or teaching through case studies wherein I could learn new things from self-study in order to complete each assignment. Through the latter, I learned to adapt the theories we were learning to the real world, which provided invaluable knowledge. On top of studying, I was also working. From the time I arrived, I was determined find a part-time job in order to earn some money to help with my expenses, namely my accommodation and needs in daily life. I printed out several copies of my CV and went out around the city on foot, dropping off applications at cafes and restaurants. When I talked to some Thais I met, they suggested to me to apply to a Thai restaurant near the Clifton Suspension Bridge called Giggling Squid, as there were often open positions there. I headed down to give them my CV and speak with them for a while, offering to be a waiter or kitchenhand, as I had some previous work experience in that area. To my delight I ended up getting a position as a waiter, and thus my employment was set. The money I earned there not only covered the necessities, but by managing my finances responsibly — cooking many of my own meals at home, for instance, rather than going out to dinner too much — I was able to save a good deal and used it to travel around the UK. One of the highlights, as a big football fan, was going to Manchester. As you may have just guessed, I love Manchester United — so much, in fact, that it’s what first made me seriously look into studying in the UK! Not only that, but during and after my dissertation period I was able to travel around Europe as well, visiting Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, all using the savings I’d made from my work. My favourite of those countries was Switzerland, for how quiet and peaceful it was, as well as its beautiful architecture and mountain views. With that said, working a part-time job alongside doing my master’s was by no means easy. I had to learn to balance my time well so that my performance on the course was not interfered with. Typically, I would attend my classes in the morning, then go to the restaurant to work a shift in the afternoon, and finally return home in the evening to work on my assignments. 202
What I enjoyed most about the International Management course, though, was the way that the professors taught. 203
204
Another challenge was found in the new study skills that I had to learn in order to succeed, like interpreting or understanding theory, self-study, and considering overall time management and optimal environments when working on assignments or my dissertation. All the effort required for these endeavours was beneficial for me, leading to my selfimprovement in a number of aspects and a wealth of experiences from which to draw on. I returned to Thailand near the end of 2019, not long before the Covid-19 pandemic started. Within a month I found a job in a business development role for a start-up company in the hospitality industry. Happily bearing a new set of knowledge and an attendant qualification, my expectation of achieving a higher salary was fulfilled. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last: with the pandemic breaking out, that company, like many heavily involved with the hotel business, had to shut down in Thailand after travel was halted and hotels closed across the country. That was a difficult time for me, as it left me unemployed for more than half a year, but at last I returned to a role with an IT company, and have recently moved on to a position as a Junior Team Lead at Shopee, a Singaporean multinational tech company and e-commerce giant. Holding an MSc International Management degree from UWE has helped me greatly in getting these jobs. Candidates with such a degree in their resume are selected first from the pile by recruiters in Thailand, and are much more likely to be offered an interview. Not only that, but during my interview for Shopee, with its multinational nature, I was asked about what I had learned from my International Management studies. I was able to explain what I had learned about global companies and how to expand businesses into other countries, as well as express my knowledge about import taxation and marketing strategy. They were clearly impressed, because I got the job. I’ve truly advanced my career to the next level, just as I’d set out to do years ago when I began planning for my master’s. To any others out there considering the possibility of studying abroad or similarly expanding their horizons, my advice would be not to be scared or nervous about doing so. One of the best things you can do for yourself is explore more, and to learn many things from new international friends. You just need to be confident and talk with people from other countries without doubting your English language ability; if you don’t try, you miss out on the chance to learn about them and their culture. Even after studying English in Australia and then in the UK, English is still difficult for me sometimes, especially since I don’t get frequent conversational practice with it in Thailand — but I’ve never let that stop me from following my ambitions. If you have the opportunity, don’t avoid the chance to take your career, or your life, to the next level. Holding an MSc International Management degree from UWE has helped me greatly... Candidates with such a degree in their resume are selected first from the pile by recruiters in Thailand. 205
GradLink Designed by UWE Bristol, GradLink is an award-winning careers website that enables international students in the UK to connect with global employers. GradLink currently includes sections for China, South-East Asia, the Gulf, Canada, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and India.
Thailand Getting a job like this was possible in part to the great career services that UWE provides, which helped me learn about how to find work in the UK and increased my chances of doing so. Thanathorn Ouipanich (Mo) MSc Real Estate Management, 2022 207
My fascination with real estate stems prominently from an agricultural project I carried out in Thailand, which all started for me when my mother and father were approaching retirement. They wanted a slow pace of life for their senior years, so I began investing in farmland. Six years ago, when the seasonal fruits durian and mangosteen exploded in popularity, I planted those crops on the plots of land I’d bought with the intention of making income from it to support my parents’ retirement. However, when I later put one of the plots up for sale, I discovered that my crops (now bearing fruit) had caused its value to increase dramatically over my original investment. This brought to my awareness how much property can go up in value over time, and my desire to better understand the dynamics of this sparked my passion in the real estate sector. Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of real estate, I approached an education consultancy called Mango Learning Express. I had gone through them several years before to arrange six-months of English study in Bath and Canterbury, and my positive experience on that course made me eager to study in the UK again. They highly recommended for me look into UWE Bristol, and also gave me the contact information of the programme leader of UWE’s Real Estate programme. At that time I wasn’t yet sure about what kind of course content I’d be studying, but once I got in touch with the programme leader I was provided with a lot of information about the critical components of the modules. I also learned that studying the course would allow me to gain free student membership with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), so I felt confident that I would have even more of a boost in my future job prospects by completing the MSc. Around that time, I considered enrolling in a short course in order to get a real estate license in Thailand. Even though I would have achieved the license in a short time, I began to think about the opportunity that was available to go abroad and study a master’s at UWE, as well as considering cost. As a matter of fact, it turned out that the price of the short course was almost equivalent with the tuition fee for the Real Estate Management programme at UWE. I resolved to gain my master’s over the short course, and I’m confident it was the right decision. With the support of the agents in Thailand, along with that of the professors I was in contact with from UWE, the application process was smooth. In addition, UWE’s website has comprehensive information about available courses, their content, tuition fees, and so on—more so than many other universities I looked at—which makes it easy for international students like myself to navigate and decide on the best plan of action for ourselves. I finally arrived in the UK in July 2021 to embark on my studies. Since beginning, the course content has varied in difficulty for me, but the professor is always willing to assist with suggestions and advice, so hopefully I’m on the road to passing everything. All the professors I’ve had, 208
Real Estate Law was one of the most challenging courses for me, but with the quick responses to my questions that I would receive from my professors, and their overall promptness with giving help, I was able to complete all the assignments. 209
in fact, get a solid five stars from me for their abilities and experience. One programme leader who really stands out to me is Grazyna Wiejak-Roy, who I approached for consultancy, and other is the programme leader for Real Estate Law, Thomas Appleby, for the positive support and encouragement he gives to me and the other students. Real Estate Law was one of the most challenging courses for me, but with the quick responses to my questions that I would receive from my professors, and their overall promptness with giving help, I was able to complete all the assignments. In terms of my peers, the class is a wide combination of nationalities, ages and experiences, and it all adds up to being a well-balanced group of learners. When I was studying in Bath back in 2017, I found it a very quiet city, though it has a pleasant environment and great views. Bristol on the other hand is much more bustling and better suited for me. The nature of the city provides for a variety of lifestyles; for instance, I can have relaxing and slow-paced days, visiting lovely spots like the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Village, or if I want some exciting nightlife I can just as easily go to the City Centre. The location and size of the city is also just right for me. I don’t tend to get homesick, but for sure I miss Thai food. Even though I cook for myself, Thai food is not easy to prepare properly, so I don’t attempt it. Luckily, when I go to an authentic Thai restaurant that’s run by Thai staff, I can talk to them directly about how I want them to adjust the taste of my food to make it the way I like. I think many others have a favourite chef like that who they can rely on to get a proper taste of home when they need it. Even though I’m still studying currently, I was excited to get a part-time job offer from a real estate company in London, and am currently living here in Covent Garden on an internship with them. It’s a good fit for me, as the company specializes in arranging accommodation in London for Asian students, and I’ve been brought in to focus on the Thailand market. Getting a job like this was possible in part to the great career services that UWE provides, who I went to because I wanted to learn about how to find work in the UK and increase my chances of doing so. I submitted my CV to them and they thoroughly checked it with both AI and a human reviewer to give it a score, after which the advisors from career services provided me feedback on how to improve I may have the option to continue on with them in a full-time capacity. In such a case, I think I’ll take advantage of the opportunity and stay in London for the time being, moving onto a post-grad work visa in the process. Some students — or potential students — may feel apprehensive about the idea of going across the world to study in the UK. This could be for a multitude of reasons, such as low confidence in their English ability. In fact, when I came to the UK five years ago to study English, as previously mentioned, my English skill wasn’t very good either. I did my best to practice constantly I wasn’t yet sure about what kind of course content I’d be studying, but once I got in touch with the programme leader I was provided with a lot of information about the critical components of the modules. it. Once I’d implemented the recommended changes, I resubmitted my CV and this time it was rated as above standard. I then used it to apply to five jobs through different platforms before choosing the exciting offer that came from London. Having had this rewarding experience, I feel that UWE really provides the key to success for students who want to gain more employment opportunities in the UK. I didn’t expect that I would land a job in London so quickly, and even though I initially imagined I’d be returning home after getting my degree, I’m now looking ahead at other options. When I finish my internship in half a year’s time, if the company is happy with my performance with the locals, my host family, and any friends I made who weren’t Thai (which therefore necessitated that we communicate in English). That language ability can absolutely be developed if they simply have the determination, and nowadays there are so many resources available and ways to go about it beyond just studying from a traditional textbook. Through the act of improving one’s English language ability, their confidence in the idea of studying abroad will grow, especially if it’s to be in an English-speaking country like the UK. As someone enjoying their studies at UWE whilst already having landed an exciting internship position, I can say that every effort to fulfill your ambitions abroad will be worth it. 210
211
VIETNAM 212
Vietnam I perceived how fashion was a means for people to present their personality to the world. Chinh Tran BA(Hons) Fashion Textiles, 2019 213
The tutors constantly gave me positive feedback for my work, making it clear that they saw my abilities and potential, and encouraged me to stick to my studies and pursue a fashion career. T hough fashion had always been an interest of mine, I ended up studying banking at university initially. My parents at that time didn’t view fashion as something that could be a financially stable pursuit, whereas any industry related to money was seen as a wiser bet for the future. After my first year of banking studies, I realized more than ever how meaningful fashion was to me, not only in terms of the clothing itself, but because I perceived how fashion was a means for people to present their personality to the world. I myself was insecure about my looks as a child, but when I noticed how fashion can make anyone look flashy and stylish, I realized that it was a powerful medium for people to represent their lifestyle and who they truly are inside. What’s more, everyone needs to wear clothes anyway, so why not look our best with them? Following my heart, I left banking behind and moved to northern Vietnam to study at the London College for Design and Fashion (LCDF) in Hanoi. Following that, I gained a year’s work experience that showed me that the fashion scene was lacking in Vietnam compared to many parts of the world. I wanted to expand my knowledge of the industry to take on a more global perspective, which gave me the idea of studying abroad. I suppose it was destiny that one of the UK universities partnered with LCDF was UWE Bristol, and the tutor who called me for an interview made me feel so comfortable, and understood so keenly my personal motivations for studying fashion, that I decided UWE was where I would seek to continue my studies. My time from starting the application to arriving at UWE was so quick and straightforward. I couldn’t believe that just a couple months after starting the process I was on a plane bound for the UK, and then travelling all by myself on a bus to Bristol with my luggage. Arriving in Bristol, I didn’t even know yet where I was going to be living. Having planned ahead for this, however, I’d joined a group on Facebook for Vietnamese students at UWE, and asked there if anyone could let me stay with them for a few days until I’d found my own accommodation. A girl from the group invited me to room with her until I could secure my own place, so it all worked out. I stayed in the City Centre, taking the bus regularly to Bower Ashton Campus for my classes. It was an enjoyable commute, since the buses were clean and quiet; I could enjoy the ride while listening to the music each morning, which was the perfect way to start my day. My favourite place on campus was the library, where I could do my schoolwork from Monday to Saturday, often staying until 11pm because it was such a nice environment. As an aside, one thing I always found funny at Bower Ashton was that they sold beer right for students right in the canteen — something I hadn’t seen before. When my friends visited the campus they were amazed too. Students do have an extra degree of freedom, after all! 214
Before getting accepted at UWE, I had quit my job and studied intensively for the IELTS exam in order to get score I needed in just two months. Even so, I felt my English skills were still rusty and lacking in my early days at UWE. My friendly classmates, hailing from all around the world, came to talk with me all the time and did their best to chat, and my tutors helped to teach me more English. The tutors constantly gave me positive feedback for my work, making it clear that they saw my abilities and potential, and encouraged me to stick to my studies and pursue a fashion career — even telling me that I’d inspired them for the next course. After graduation, when I began to get stressed about finding employment in the fashion industry’s competitive job market, they still stayed in touch through email to do everything possible to support me. They were the best tutors in the world. I departed UWE with a lot of international friends, and I have really fond memories of the environment and help I was given there to excel. I applied for an internship in pattern cutting in London, but when the manager saw my portfolio she expressed that I was really talented, requesting the design team to give me a placement instead. That company didn’t quite offer everything I was looking for, so I continued my search, but I’ve remembered that manager’s words clearly and appreciate very much what she did for me. I next applied online for a six-month internship at the luxury fashion house Julien Macdonald, where the interviewers expressed their appreciation of my portfolio, accepting me for the position. The thing I believe stood out most about my portfolio, and what I’m most proud of, is the way that I view fashion and the way that I work within it. A part of my portfolio features one-piece pattern cutting which I’ve done to make a dress, and another features zero-waste pattern cutting that I’ve done. My prime focus, represented in the portfolio, is doing something good for the 215
environment through sustainable fashion. In fact, my tutors would often tell me that I had too many ideas in it, and that perhaps 10 was enough. I have so many new ideas tumbling around in my head when I think about design, and they tend to spill out into the real world and find their way into my portfolio. I did pattern cutting during my internship at Julien Macdonald, helping make clothes for celebrities, and I also helped them with their fashion shows. At the same time, busy as ever, I took a part-time job with the British high fashion brand Cimone. The designer at Cimone was wonderful; on the day I met her she looked through my portfolio and said it was brilliant, telling me that it would be best for me to be a designer, but since there were no openings she asked me to be her assistant — a paid position. I was shocked at all this: not only is it typically difficult to get a job in fashion following graduation, but I was now to be paid in a highly-sought Designer Assistant position whilst serving an internship with a major fashion house. My career was already on the right track. Once I returned to Vietnam, I joined Oktava I have so many new ideas tumbling around in my head when I think about design, and they tend to spill out into the real world and find their way into my portfolio. by Cherryfield, a manufacturer and global fashion supplier, and went into tailoring design for mid-range men’s fashion — which can actually be more lucrative for designers than high fashion because of the commercial nature of the products. I create designs for companies across the US, UK and Australian markets, including Marks & Spencer, Reiss, Nordstrom, Witchery, and more. I’ve now taken my passion for sustainable fashion into a major international competition called the Redress Design Award, which I first heard about from a British friend at UWE years ago. She knew that my interests in fashion went beyond concerns about making money, and with the International Redress Award being the largest sustainable fashion competition for young designers, she told me all about it. At that time, with graduation and my internship looming, I was simply too busy to look into it, but later I Googled about it and learned more about what the Redress Design Award was all about. Once I returned to Vietnam and started my full-time work with Oktava, I applied to the competition, but unfortunately didn’t make it. Following that, figuring out where the shortcomings in my application were helped orient me in the right direction, and I realized how difficult it is to truly figure out how sustainability can be applied to fashion and what unique things I could do in this regard. On my second attempt, I really focused on bringing into the competition myself and my vision for the improvement of fashion for a sustainable future, and this time I was thrilled to be shortlisted. My long-term goal is to be a pioneer in sustainability in the Vietnamese fashion sector. Many people have the perception that fashion items are merely flashy and expensive clothes, but they often aren’t aware of the detrimental effects on the planet that the industry has, and thus don’t consume these products in responsible way. I want to speak up about this as much as possible, because we can’t change the way people view fashion without first making people aware of it. I don’t only want to be an influential voice in this direction, but also to start my own brand one day that will help me facilitate and promote these goals — so keep an eye out for me and my work anywhere that you encounter the fashion scene! 216
217
Vietnam My design philosophy at its core is about creating products that are made to last. Nicky Vu BA(Hons) Fashion Design, 2014 218
I ’ve always been a creative person, beginning with an early interest in drawing and the arts in general. My first diploma was an HND (Higher National Diploma) in graphic design, which I got from FPT Arena Multimedia University. I then proceeded to complete a two-year HND in Fashion and Merchandising at the London College of Fashion Studies (now the London College for Design and Fashion), which has partnerships with a number of UK universities including UWE Bristol. A representative from UWE came to the college and introduced a scholarship which would be awarded to one Vietnamese student from each cohort. I achieved the scholarship, which encouraged me to go to UWE for my top up year abroad. A year before, while I was in the first year of my HND course, I was awarded the Better Together Scholarship, which let me travel to England and visit UWE for a week, so going there to study was to be my second time to step foot on campus there. I was looking forward to this next endeavour, as I’d really loved my time in Bristol during my weeklong trip previously, even knowing that the second time around there would be more work involved to settle in and get accustomed to living there long-term. There’s something very charming about smaller cities like Bristol that make it stand out compared to larger metropolises like London. Studying my course at UWE was pretty challenging at first. The expectations upon us as students in the UK were very different from the ones in Vietnam. When studying a creative course like Fashion Design in the UK, a great emphasis is placed one’s creativity and the process of developing designs, whereas in Vietnam the focus is more on the product and its marketability. In the latter there’s a 50/50 split between your creative design work and the final product, while in the UK I’d say it’s closer to 80/20. The year was divided into two terms, with the first being a sort of tryout where you create three sample products belonging to an envisioned collection, and after these are done the real products are created in the second term. All five of us Vietnamese on the course did poorly in the first term, I think because we weren’t ready for the new expectations and style of curriculum that we were encountering. We had a meeting with the tutors where we discussed this, and resolved that all we could do was use our clearer understanding of what was expected and do our best. At the end of the year, for our final project we were assigned to each create two garments with the plan of exhibiting one per student at a four-day fashion show in London. We helped fundraise for the event and got to see our creations in the spotlight before an audience. What’s more, even though we were initially scheduled to only showcase one garment each on one of the four days, I made six in total and was fortunate enough to have four of them displayed in the show across two days of the event. I got a great result in the second term; ultimately, I found that the top up year had been a really good learning experience for me, and my new capabilities increased my confidence in doing an MA, which I went on to complete at Central Saint Martins in London. When I reflect back on challenges I faced during my time at UWE, the biggest was perhaps the differences in grading to which I had to adapt. The creative industry in the UK is great, but at the same time the education system is very strict in comparison to what I was accustomed to. Each component of a course, for instance, may hold a certain fixed amount of value to one’s overall grade, so performing well in numerous aspects throughout its progression is necessary, rather than only achieving a good final result at the end. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I do try to be good at everything, and in the 219
end I accomplished everything I set out to, but there was an adjustment process to this new system that I needed to undergo at first. Outside of school itself, Bristol held all kinds of learning experiences for me. Learning the intricacies of how to secure the accommodation that was ideal for me, getting a phone number, setting up a bank account and acquiring a bank card, and learning how to access different services were all among the things that I needed do in order to settle in and set myself up for a smooth living experience. Besides those hurdles, I had the refreshing experience of getting out and about on the town to meet people, chat and exchange stories. I’m a bit of a workaholic and hadn’t had much of what you could call the ‘student experience’ while studying in Vietnam, but with a change of schedule in a new society I found myself socializing more outside of class and enjoying my free time. The UK is a diverse place, with every town and city having its unique aspects, and just by being at UWE I learned a lot more about the country. For instance, I thought for the longest time that one of my classmates, who I spoke with frequently, was Polish. Later it turned out that she was actually from Liverpool, and I’d just completely misidentified her accent. Another time a girl that I knew asked me if I wanted to come over for tea. I thought we’d literally have tea, so I picked up a cake to bring over, and was then a bit confused when I arrived and we ate pizza together. A few months after that I found out that tea (or te) for Welsh people refers to dinner! We all had a good laugh about it, especially the fact that she hadn’t offered me any tea at all that evening with the pizza. Another thing that sticks in my mind is when I went to the beach in Cornwall and everyone was wearing wetsuits to go swimming because the There’s something very charming about smaller cities like Bristol that make it stand out compared to larger metropolises like London. 220
water was so cold. I thought it was so ironic that I was putting more clothes on just to go into the water, rather than taking clothes off. It’s encountering unexpected new things like these that made me fall in love with the country. Another thing I loved was how history is everywhere, and people even keep antiques and heirlooms in their homes that go back generations. When you visit someone’s home you can see these pieces of history in it. One time I went to a market fair and they had a vintage tape measure there from a long time ago, with the case made of moulded leather — and it still works to this day. As someone in fashion design who uses tape measures frequently, it was interesting to see this, and also indicated how in the past people built things to last rather than to be cheap yet flimsy. Once I returned to Vietnam I began to focus on my work in the industry. My design philosophy at its core is about creating products that are made to last —much like that tape measure I saw at the fair — and which in addition to quality also have a story, so that through the fashion item customers are also buying a piece of culture or a story, enabling them to feel a connection with what they’re wearing. People are less likely to throw this kind of garment away, and will at least usually pass it on to another person. My passion in this area of design is the reason why I went into teaching, so that I’m now a lecturer at the same college I graduated from years ago. I therefore have two jobs, with the second being at one of the oldest apparel companies in northern Vietnam (May 10), which has been producing garments since the Vietnam War. I started here as a consultant for the company, but I loved the working environment so much that I decided to stay on longer and now I’m the Fashion and Aesthetic Assistant to the CEO — though I actually work most with the design department, where I help introduce international knowledge into the traditional work environment already in place. The company pays a lot of attention to the quality of the products, a standard borne out of their initial role in creating military wear during the war, and they follow an equally high standard of quality control both for clothes exported to the West and for the domestic market. I’ve also participated as an expert in the field abroad, representing Vietnam for a bi-annual international skills competition that I was invited to in 2019. It gave me the opportunity to present one of my collections in China and share about it in English with the attendants from around the world. After that I returned to Hanoi and committed myself full-time again to my jobs. Another reason I enjoy working at the company I do now is that they have such a strong history, which has a tangible impact on everything they do. The brands that are being sold now, however, are mainly designed for my parent’s generation, leaving us in need of appealing to a new range of customers with all the skill and capacity we have at our fingertips. I’ve seen how ethical and responsible May 10 is in its operations, both for the community and the environment; these are values that are of the utmost importance to me, and which are also at the heart of my work as a teacher, and so I look forward to helping the company expand and thrive into the future. 221
Vietnam One of the best experiences I’ve had so far was when I organized a cultural event for locals. Phuong Le MSc Business and Event Management, 2020 Msc Human Resources, 2022 222
I was always a strong student in school, but admittedly I was quite shy and introverted, generally focusing on schoolwork rather than socializing much. This was still to my benefit, as in Vietnam we need to study a lot in high school anyway, especially in our final year before taking the stressful national exam. Still, possessing confidence and being skilled in interacting with different types of people can also go a long way to bolstering your future opportunities. My parents surely understood this, and during my school years were already guiding me toward studying abroad; they recommended for me to be bold in this manner, so that I could experience a new environment and become more independent, developing the foundations for a future career. I first studied at Ho Chi Minh City International University. I chose the Business and Administration programme from the outset because it would provide a chance for me to do my third year at UWE as a top-up, via a partnership between the two universities. I knew, too, that at UWE I could choose more specific courses, such as marketing or event management. I was particularly interested in event management; it’s not something that I have much opportunity to get real-world practice with in Vietnam, so I’d only learned about it so far through reading. I found out that UWE’s course featured a practical component that would let us manage real events as caterers, helping us learn about authentic problems that an event manager can face. From all my parents’ encouragement, I believed that studying abroad would give me more chances to improve myself, not only from the event management perspective, but to make new friends, and to encounter and learn about new cultures. Catering real events as part of my studies would also give me a chance to talk and work with lots of locals in Bristol, and I figured I could work part-time and earn money for myself, which would give me a well-rounded international experience. What’s more, I knew that Bristol was a city that was neither too big nor too small, where I could live a high-quality life that wasn’t as expensive as London, but still had perks like shopping centres and other urban charms. It seemed like it would be very suitable for me. My English when I first moved to Bristol was not so good, and for me the Bristol accent was harder to understand than some other accents I was more accustomed to, but now I can understand it well and my about them, they can be looked upon as an opportunity to learn and improve oneself. Besides my part-time work as a caterer, I now also do volunteer work as a Unibuddy, where I communicate with other international students at UWE through an app to answer questions they have, or otherwise guide them to contact the correct department for their query. I’m keeping busy! Homesickness or loneliness has never really been a problem for me here. We have a My English when I first moved to Bristol was not so good, and for me the Bristol accent was harder to understand than some other accents I was more accustomed to, but now I can understand it well and my English listening skills have improved a lot overall. English listening skills have improved a lot overall. I’ve for sure become less introverted, reaching something of a middle ground between introversion and extroversion. My increased outgoingness is in large part due to the work I’ve been doing here, particularly when organizing the events I cater, as these have built up my confidence through working in teams and communicating with large numbers of people on a regular basis. I’ve found Bristolians to be quite nice and patient, and my managers at work are no exception; if I make a mistake they won’t criticize or scold me, but simply point out what I did wrong and then teach me again how to do it. This has helped me develop my skills, and I learned not to be afraid to make mistakes. Rather than being worried Vietnamese community in Bristol and we stay in touch through a group on Facebook, so I’ve been able to meet and get to know others this way. Members of the group even helped me find and secure private accommodation, so I ended up living in a place with five bedrooms, located about halfway between Frenchay Campus and City Centre. I’m close with the four other girls that I live with and we often share meals together. In addition to those from my own country, though, I’ve also gotten to know and make friends with students of many different nationalities, including India, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Turkey. It’s allowed me to get to know different cultures and ways of thinking, just as I’d anticipated. 223
In terms of food, there are some Vietnamese restaurants around that are pretty good, but not exactly like I’m used to from back home. When I really miss certain dishes, I go to the Chinese market to get some ingredients and cook at home. This works fine because I’m a master chef for Vietnamese food! I also enjoy cooking for my housemates when I have time. With homesickness and cuisine not being a problem, the primary difficulty I initially had here was actually the weather, since it’s so different from Vietnam’s hot climate — particularly in the winter, of course, when it goes down to minus 2 or 3 degrees. That was the biggest thing I had to adapt to, but now that I have, I’ve grown to like it: the cool climate feels fresh. One of the best experiences I’ve had so far was when I organized a cultural event for locals. I designed and managed a gathering that could introduce many foreign cultures to Bristolians, inviting people from Malaysia, China and India. They each cooked some signature dishes from their country and brought them to the event, and there they introduced both their culture and food to all who were invited. It was the greatest thing I’ve done so far and it turned out very successful, with more than 30 guests joining the fun. As it was my final project for my Business and Event Management course, I was happy to get a high score for my work. I was employed during the year at home between finishing my bachelor’s and starting my master’s. With my bachelor’s degree and a background of studying abroad for a year, I was afforded new opportunities job-wise, and got a position working at one of the top technology companies in Vietnam — VNG Corporation — which has more than 3000 employees. I was working in the HR department, which is where I discovered that I had so much more to learn about human resources, and thus why I was inspired to start my master’s in it at UWE. With my bachelor’s degree and a background of studying abroad for a year, I was a!orded new opportunities job-wise, and got a position working at one of the top technology companies in Vietnam. I was elated to receive a UWE scholarship that would pay a full half of my tuition fee for my master’s course, making my decision to return for more study all the easier. Even so, when it came time to depart again for the UK in September 2021, I felt quite sad for the fact that I was leaving my position and colleagues behind at VNG. Regardless, I knew it was a great opportunity to develop more at UWE, acquiring deeper knowledge in the field of human resources. This was the best chance for me to receive a skilled background in it. Before returning home post-graduation, I aspire to find a job related to HR here in the UK, staying for a couple years on the poststudy work visa. This will allow me to gain more real-world experience, adding not only to my personal development but also to my future employability. When I eventually go back to Vietnam, I’ll have the knowledge to develop my career in HR. Ultimately, I’m aiming to work for a major multinational company in Vietnam, such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, or others of that size. I feel I’ll be qualified for such a position with my background of study and work in the UK, and my extensive experience communicating with people from many different countries, all of which will help me excel. For anyone coming from abroad to study in the UK, I’d recommend for them to do their best to be confident in themselves. If possible, they should take a volunteer position or part-time job in their new city, in order to enhance their confidence and interpersonal skills — rather than just going directly home after class to shut themselves in their room for the rest of the day. Don’t be scared to talk with local people, even if you might not understand what they’re saying at first, because you’ll never get better at communicating with them if you don’t try. Your personality and outlook will change in positive ways if you do this, and then you never know what possibilities will open up to you. 224
I found out that UWE’s course featured a practical component that would let us manage real events as caterers, helping us learn about authentic problems that an event manager can face. 225
Vietnam Not only was Bristol a lovely place for me day by day, but it also gave me an amazing sporting opportunity. Thinh Dao MSc Economics, 2012 226
Just four months later, I got a position at the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) — one of the largest banks in the country. I grew up in a small town a couple hundred kilometers from Hanoi, Vietnam. At age 15 I moved to the city alone to attend high school there, getting my first taste of independence. It’s a nice city — peaceful, a strong traditional element, and lots of delicious food. I stayed on there to do my bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, but then turned my eyes to the world beyond our borders and the possibilities for study that were out there. I must admit that back in those days I was just studying for the sake of getting a degree, rather than approaching university as a means of gaining knowledge. As I began to consider options with foreign universities, my thinking only went as far as aiming to get a qualification from one of them that would help me to get a better job than I would otherwise. I thought I’d just find a university abroad, go there to do my master’s, gain the experience of living in another culture, and then get back to Vietnam and find employment with my prestigious new qualification in hand — as simple as that. Eventually I met a member of UWE Bristol’s Asia Pacific team in Vietnam, who explained all about UWE to me; I thought it looked like a great choice for my future master’s based on what I heard about the university and Bristol from her. Before I could actually go to study in the UK, though, I had to improve my English. My ability with the language was so poor at that time that I simply couldn’t understand anything people were saying to me. My courses in Hanoi until then had been essentially maths-based, requiring no English ability, so my knowledge of it was still pretty much limited to “hello” and a few other basics. I had to study, and I figured it was going to be an uphill battle. Already in my early twenties, I considered how my age was going to make it more difficult to acquire a new language. The way I did end up learning was quite unconventional, but it made for a fun and interesting time. I knew that down in the Old Quarter of Hanoi lots of foreign expats and tourists hung out, drinking beer and enjoying themselves. I started going down there every day that I could, drinking beer with them, maintaining a smile for others despite my lack of comprehension, and eventually chatting to the best of my ability — even though I still wasn’t able to understand most of our conversations. As my proficiency gradually improved, I ended up making good friends with some of the foreigners there. I supplemented this by taking an IELTS prep course, but really the vast majority of my practice came from my time spent in the Old Quarter knocking back beers with expats. When I was ready, I took the UWE placement test and achieved a Band 7, though I chalk a bit of that score up to sheer luck. The friendships I made in the Old Quarter were strong. With my preparations for departure to the UK underway at last, several of my British expat friends flew home ahead of me and made sure to be waiting in Bristol when I arrived to help me settle in. They came to visit my new accommodation, making sure I had everything I needed, and introduced me to some of their friends living in the city who I could go to if I had any problems. Besides this support from my friends, another helpful network I discovered before even lifting off from Hanoi was a Vietnamese student association, which had around 50 people or so. I reached out online to some of the members that were also studying at UWE, and when I arrived in Bristol that very first time by train, one 227
of them picked me up there and drove me to the house on Filton Avenue where I’d arranged to rent a room. I was ready to utilize my time to the fullest. There was about an eight to ten-month wait before I could begin the Economics programme I wanted at UWE, so in the meantime I studied an International Management course. When the start date for my master’s in Economics arrived in September 2010, I was eager to begin immediately and thus didn’t write the final exam in International Management, accepting the diploma for it instead. Even though I had developed a fair proficiency with English, now that I was in an English-speaking country for the first time, I found I couldn’t always catch what people were saying. Their speech sounded so fast. Our lecturers tried to speak slowly for the benefit of the international students, but sometimes I still couldn’t follow everything. Early on, I asked my lecturer if I could record the class so I could go back and listen to it later, and he was so nice and accommodating, telling me I could go right ahead. The class size at UWE was also quite small compared to what I’d known back home, so this fortunately made it easier to ask a question to get clarify when I didn’t catch or understand something. Besides the language, the other challenge I faced at times in Bristol was homesickness. I’d felt that I was accustomed to being away from home, since as mentioned previously I’d moved to Hanoi for school at only 15 — but now I was on the other side of the world, with no quick trips home possible whenever I wanted. My first bout of homesickness actually occurred just one month after arriving, as that was the date of Vietnamese new year; normally I’d be having a great time eating and drinking with my whole family during that period, but all I could do that year was do a video call with them. On the flip side, though, I didn’t need to end up missing Vietnamese food. My years living alone in Hanoi had led me to develop cooking skills, and Bristol conveniently had a Vietnamese market where I could get all the ingredients I needed to treat myself to some of my favorite dishes. I loved Bristol itself, and could honestly have lived there forever. I’m the kind of person who likes a quiet environment, and the peaceful, easygoing nature of Bristol provided that. Also, as a fan of beer, I enjoyed going down to the pub a lot. The pub I liked most was not exactly one popular with students, filled as it was with older Bristolians on most nights, but I found it a comfortable place, and spending time with the locals there gave me a feeling like being at a family reunion. The first time I walked in, the old patrons looked at me as if to say, “What are you doing here? This isn’t the kind of place young people are into.” I kept going there time and time again, though, enjoying their company just as much as the fine ales they had on tap. Not only was Bristol a lovely place for me day by day, but it also gave me an amazing sporting opportunity. Having been in training to be a professional badminton player when I was younger, I’ve always maintained a love for it, and so I joined both the UWE badminton team and the Bristol badminton team. That gave me a wealth of new connections among the other players, mostly locals, and we used to go out together frequently to spots all around the city. As rewarding as the sport itself was, just as great was the boost to my social life it gave me. My English listening ability continued to improve too. When I joined the UWE badminton team I struggled to keep up with the lightingfast conversations going on. When we were on the bus en route to matches again other universities, I initially relegated myself to sitting alone, due to feeling like I couldn’t keep up with the colloquial chatter. Little by little I inserted myself more and more into the talk, and with everyone eagerly conversing with me as much as possible, communication got smoother and smoother. Our UWE badminton team was promoted from 2nd division to 1st division for the first time in its history that first year I was with them. Everyone was so thrilled. I’ll never forget our varsity matches against the University of Bristol, especially in my first year when we won 7-1 against them during 228
I loved Bristol itself, and could honestly have lived there forever. a home game. Nor will I forget when we went to the national student competition at Nottingham University in 2011. The university wasn’t able to arrange a bus at the time, so they rented a vehicle for us and our captain drove the team all the way to Nottingham. It was such a fun road trip and competition. I feel like I got really lucky in being able to make such great memories. As I neared the end of my final year, I ran into a conflict with myself. As I’ve described, when I first made the plan to study abroad, my goal had been simply to go, study, get my degree, and return got a position at the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) — one of the largest banks in the country — and I stayed there all the way until 2020. That brings me almost up to the present, where I now find myself at York in Toronto, embarking on my PhD in Economics. The main reason I decided to leave my work and go back to studying was for my children. I want to be able to change their living environment to give them the best upbringing I can, starting by having them attend primary school in Toronto, so I plan to bring my family here if all goes well. The other fundamental reason is that I changed my mind about education; whereas prior to UWE I pursued courses only for the sake of getting a degree, I now like studying and appreciate its true value. I want to do it not for a degree, but for the sake of knowledge, and I want my children to be inspired by seeing my efforts to return to school. In order to receive a scholarship for the PhD programme, I had to prepare an extensive application and study to gain enough knowledge to earn it — so even while working full-time at the bank, I was taking a pre-PhD course to improve my abilities and strengthen my CV. I hope this will motivate my kids in the future to work hard and strive to accomplish whatever they set their mind to. There’s nothing we can do about oversights from our past, but my time at UWE made me want to try achieve the best results possible and make my family proud. All we have is the future, and it’s always in our grasp. To any young people out there, perhaps like me in the past when I was just going through the motions of university education, I’d like to say that no matter how smart or talented you may feel you are, the most important characteristic you can possess is determination. When it comes to your life and goals, don’t give anything less than your best. right home. Now I realized that I really wanted to achieve something that would make my parents proud. I had a fairly high GPA already at that point, so it was critical to me that I would also produce an impressive dissertation. Stress began weight heavily on me, because I was getting lost on my dissertation and I began to wonder if I could actually produce one of any merit at all. This was where my luck came through again, because I had an excellent supervisor, Dr Laura Povoledo, who understood my situation and was completely sympathetic toward me. She understood my state of mind and indicated that I was overthinking things, recommending for me to stop everything for one or two weeks — to relax, travel, or do whatever it was I wanted to take my mind off the dissertation. I saw the wisdom in what she was saying: by taking a time out, I’d be able to come back to work on it with a clear mind and fresh eyes, renewing my motivation to power through the task. My dissertation ended up being a complete success, and I graduated with distinction. I appreciated Dr Povoledo’s support so much, and even throughout the years following my graduation from UWE, she and I have stayed in touch. She’s continued to give me valuable advice, and even sent a delivery of flowers to me on my wedding day in Vietnam, which moved me deeply. Most recently, she assisted me with my PhD application for York University in Toronto, Canada. After UWE I flew directly home and started looking for a job. Just four months later, I 229
Having been with the UWE Asia Pacific team for more than a decade, I’ve worked with countless international students, helping them in the process of transferring to UWE and setting them up for a successful, rewarding experience in Bristol. This work is something that I’m immensely happy and proud about, and over the years I’ve stayed in touch not only with students currently at UWE, but the alumni I’ve assisted in the past. Those relationships are something I value greatly, and it’s a joy to have an ever-growing family of UWE alumni both in my home country of Malaysia and throughout the region. The idea came to me that I should record the stories and experiences of those who have followed their ambitions and gone to UWE, so that they may be shared not only with potential future students, but with the whole world. International students embark on a journey far from home to live and study in Bristol, they have unique experiences both academically and in their personal lives, and they go on to do wonderful things. All of them have interesting stories to tell. I’m not a writer, however, so I teamed up with my colleague, Zach, to help bring these experiences to life on the page. We’ve enjoyed connecting with students and alumni who hail from countries all around the Asia Pacific region, learning about them and their individual journeys. The result is the book you now have before you, and I wish you happy reading. Waimun Chew Creative, Alumni and CAS Support Manager: Asia Pacific I enjoyed connecting with students and alumni who hail from countries all around the Asia Pacific region, learning about them and their individual journeys Message from: Creative Designer 238
When Waimun approached me to discuss working on this book, I was immediately intrigued by the idea. I believe that everyone has a story to tell and valuable experiences to pass on, but we often lack avenues to do so in a thorough, meaningful way. As a writer I was excited at the prospect of helping with this. Being quite new to the UWE Asia Pacific team at the time, I also felt it would be a great opportunity to get to know our students and alumni from the region. The greatest pleasure in working on this book has been the online meetings with those who star in it. Though I always styled these sessions as interviews, each ended up as a conversation through which I was granted a generous look into another person’s life, perspectives, challenges and successes. Time and again alumni have told me that our conversation has brought memories of UWE flooding back to them, always accompanied by a smile. After drafting a written story based on the recording of our meeting, each individual and I have worked on edits and additions until reaching a final version that they are pleased with. The result is that the personal stories in this book are authentic, specific, first-hand accounts of some of the amazing people whose ambitions and dreams have taken them to UWE over the years. I’d like to thank every single person featured in this book for their warmth, their openness, and the time they took out of their busy lives to contribute. Zach MacDonald English Language Consultant: UWEIES The greatest pleasure in working on this book has been the online meetings with those who star in it Message from: Writer 239
Thank you This book would not be possible without the assistance and support of colleagues across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. We’d like to thank all the country managers who helped us connect and follow up with students and alumni, along with Mian Ng SFHEA in Bristol. Danae Yap and Henik Mehta gave their time and e!ort to proofread, and Professor Ray Priest has o!ered constant encouragement and feedback since the project’s inception. Finally, to all others who gave their support along the way, we thank you. 232