Uncategorized – Page 4 – Undergraduate Blog

A year in Queensland, Australia

By Udara Cumaratunga

As a BA International Business Management student of the University of Sheffield, I had the opportunity to study abroad for a year at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Having the opportunity to live in one of the biggest tourist capitals in the country, I was excited for my next adventure, but little prepared me for the life changing experiences and the biggest roller coaster ride of my life!
On my first morning in Australia, I was awoken by the loud chirping of birds from the tree right outside my window – this was to become my natural alarm for the next 12 months. Despite being jet lagged, I dragged myself out of bed eager to explore my new home. After collecting a map from the reception I headed down a footpath with the warm sun beating down on my skin.
As I entered the University I felt a rush of excitement as smiles from other students were quick to greet me, and I was shown around the campus and directed towards the International Office.
Within a week of having arrived in Australia, I had settled in and my life changing journey had begun. Having attended many orientation and other events during the first week, I had made more friends than I ever imagined. Every day at Griffith I seemed to meet someone new and learn something exiting about the world, cultures, personalities and other fun facts.
At Griffith I was instructed to undertake 4 modules per semester, which included 1-2 hour lectures and tutorials. Lecture groups were most often smaller than those in Sheffield, and demanded a lot of engagement from students. The lectures acknowledged our diverse academic backgrounds and embraced the different views we had to offer.

I studied modules such as International Marketing, Public Relations, Inter-Cultural Management, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Business Processes, International Accounting and Market Structure and Business Strategy that not only improved my knowledge of the business processes and working environment within Australia but also of other countries around the world. I was able to enhance my knowledge of the different accounting systems of countries such as China, Japan, Germany, USA and Australia, understand the different marketing strategies practiced in Australia and learn the importance of managing cultural diversities around the world. All these subjects were very important to me when understanding the contexts in which international businesses operate.
There was never a dull moment in the Gold Coast, the city is packed with amazing activities to suit every interest. Lying on soft sandy beach of Broadbeach every Sunday with my friends was probably my favourite activity whilst I was there. My friends and I were all adventurous and found ourselves most often venturing around the city. Whale watching, visiting Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary, spending days at the many theme parks and exploring the waterfalls were just some of the activities we occupied ourselves with. As food lovers we were attracted to the different cuisines that Gold Coast had to offer. We dedicated one night every two weeks to try out a unique dish from the many restaurants and we were frequent customers at Pancake Parlour and Max Brenner.
My friends and I seized every opportunity to travel around the country and Sydney was one of our first spectacular adventures. Despite the close proximity to Gold Coast, Sydney was totally a different experience, groups of people rushing around to work and tourists trying to capture the perfect picture next to the historic monuments. Despite the hustle and bustle we sat on the grass besides the harbour bridge in perfect harmony with nature and watched the blue sky turn from orange to purple as the sun set into the ripples of the ocean.
Melbourne offered a truly culturally and artistically diverse experiences with the many museums and artistic monuments that were located around the city. As we stood on the deck of the highest residential building in the southern hemisphere, our gazes were mesmerised by the amusing architecture below us.
Just before the end of my year in Australia, my group of friends and I spontaneously piled up in a van and headed down the coast to Byron Bay. On our last night there we drove up to the light house and cuddled up next to each other, as we waited for the sun to rise. As I sat there in the shivering cold next to my friends, who giggled away, I realised the magnitude to which this opportunity had changed my life. I had not only made friends to last me a life time but also learnt new things about the world, cultures and business environments.

Studying abroad – the course content

By Udara Cumaratunga

Studying at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia, I was able to undertake a number of unique modules that explored a wide variety of disciplines within business. Some of the modules that I took over the two semesters were: International Marketing, Organisational Behaviour, Inter-Cultural Management, Public Relations, Human Resource Management Principles, Market Structure and Business Strategy, International Accounting and Business Processes. These modules were structured in a similar way to the modules that I undertook at the Management School in my first year in terms of the delivery of the subject content and assignments. Most of the modules included a group work assignment component that allowed me to engage with other students from across the world and gain from their knowledge and experiences.
One of the most memorable group assignment I completed was for International Marketing, for which I was allocated to a group of 6 people and delegated the task of preparing an advert for a Horticulture Convention that was to be held in Brisbane, Australia later that year. My group members were of different nationalities, with students from France, America, the UK and Australia backgrounds. During the course of the assignment my group and I explored our creative flair and incorporated different marketing techniques presented to us during the module and also from the techniques practiced in our home countries, to develop an advert that was then presented to a representative of the Horticulture Convention, a lecturer, a tutor and other students undertaking the module. This experience was really motivating as I now have a better understanding of the different marketing techniques practiced in different countries of the world for variety purposes.
A module that I was very interested in was Inter-Cultural Management. In this module we explored the impact of cultural differences across countries on business operations. The lecturer and tutors had lived in many different countries and were able to reflect on their personal experiences of negotiating business proposals and adapting business operations to different cultures. These examples were fascinating, as they highlighted the relationship between the smallest of differences, such as the perception of punctuality, to have the biggest of impacts on business operations.
During tutorials we were assigned a case study and several questions. The lecturers selected a random group of students to prepare and present their arguments and opinions on the situation within the case. This was an opportunity for us to apply the theoretical perspectives that were explored in lectures to operations of the business discussed in the case study and develop effective solutions. Having undertaken a summer internship and many part time jobs I have been able to identify the cultural differences that have influenced the operations of these business.
I have also been able to apply the knowledge and experiences I acquired from the modules that I took during my study abroad year to the modules that I have since taken at the Management School in my final year. I am able to better understand the operations of international businesses, the influences on their strategies and operations when diversifying operations across national borders, I’m able to develop effective solutions to the challenges of operating internationally.

Broaden your horizons with a semester abroad

By Francesca Hall

At the University of Sheffield you will be encouraged to not only excel in your studies, setting you up with a degree from one of the top University’s in the country, but to take on a host of extra activities and opportunities that will set you even further apart in the competitive world of employment.
As I enter my final term at the University of Sheffield on my three year Business Management course I can safely say my University experience has exceeded all my expectations. I remember clearly the first day I arrived into Sheffield, a car full of clothes, bedding, and empty notebooks, and with it a tonne of nerves and excitement. Having read every student review about the University of Sheffield that I could get my hands on (thank you ‘whatuni.com’!) I had high hopes for what lay ahead. Two and a half years later, I have not been disappointed.
What has surprised me most -beyond the hospitality of the locals, the quality of teaching and facilities, and how there is a society for every activity you could imagine- is how the University itself has gone above and beyond duty, offering me so much more than just classroom learning. I have found myself frequently inundated with opportunities to do exciting new things, and taken-up many, but the one which has had the most profound effect on my life is studying abroad.
In my second year, with ‘YES’ as my go-to word, I embarked upon a five month adventure studying a semester at Copenhagen Business School as part of the University’s Erasmus programme. Towards the tail-end of January I once more packed my life up into suitcases, and boarded my flight into the unknown territory of snowy Copenhagen. The first week was terrifying and overwhelming as I realised the magnitude of what I had signed myself up for (5 months and over a thousand miles from home) but my nerves quickly dissipated as the floods of new faces became friends and this alien city grew to become home.
Studying at Copenhagen Business School -one of many prestigious universities the Management School is partners with, and living in Denmark’s capital was an incredible experience. Whilst I wasn’t so keen on the three hour classes or the four hour exams, I seized the opportunity to immerse myself in a new way of learning, grateful to explore my passion for business through a different array of modules. Trying to settle down and study with the sunshine and city calling your name was definitely learning curve, but with a work-hard, play-hard approach I had the most wholesome experience I could have asked for. Copenhagen itself is a stunning city, vibrant, packed full of culture, with so much to see and do. I have an abundance of fond memories, from city strolls and bike rides, canoeing on the canal, and enjoying the Tivoli gardens and Lousiana, to partying at Kulørbar, eating Smørrebrød at Torvehallerne, and enjoying good company by the canal on a warm evening. However, whilst I can’t imagine a city more fantastic to study abroad in than Copenhagen, if it’s not your cup of tea, you can take your pick from the University of Sheffield’s other partner universities across Europe, in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands or Sweden. Not to mention, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the USA if you choose to study International Business Management!
To say that studying abroad changes your life is no understatement. I have made life-long friendships with an array of amazing people from across the globe, experienced life in another culture, and studied with a further fantastic university. With it, I have returned to Sheffield with more self-confidence, patience, awareness, and as clichéd as it may sound, I have grown as an individual beyond measure. I feel eternally grateful to the University of Sheffield and the Management School for giving me the opportunities that I have had, and without their continual support it would not have been possible.
I hope you too will have a fantastic time studying at the University of Sheffield. If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be, to say yes often, and push yourself to do something new. If you do that I guarantee you’ll be leaving University with more than just a degree to show for it!

Gaining work experience with a year in industry

By Lucy Grimes

It wasn’t until I began my second year of study at the University of Sheffield Management school that I considered undertaking a placement as part of my degree. With so many employers on campus and careers events happening throughout the year, I began to think about the future and what I wanted to do. And it wasn’t long before I realised I had absolutely no idea! Having done bits of work experience in finance and accounting, and deciding it definitely wasn’t for me, I thought that the only way I was going to gain a better understanding of what I wanted to do in the future was by having a go, which is what led me to the decision to apply for a placement.

As I wasn’t certain which area of business I wanted to go in to, I searched for placements which offered a varied programme, and decided to apply for some retail management programmes. I was offered interviews with both Lidl and Marks and Spencer, two very different retailers. Having attended both of their assessment days, I was keen to secure the M&S placement. One thing that I learned at this stage was how important it is to work for a company whose values and ideas are in line with your own. I was very lucky to be offered the role at M&S, and signed my contract shortly afterwards.

Before the end of second year the Management School holds a pre-placement briefing which gives you an idea of what to expect and really helped to calm my nerves and worries about what to do if things aren’t as you expect. I began my placement in September 2013, and luckily had no problems.

The first few weeks were all about introducing you to the business, to retail, and getting to know the people you would be working with. This really helped me to settle in, and one thing I would say to anybody beginning a placement is to use this time to ask as many silly questions as you can! It’s better to make sure you understand things early on than to come unstuck later in the year.

After my induction period I began my first rotation as a trainee Food Commercial Manager. This involved training across two different stores, a premier store and a smaller Simply Food store. Moving around like this really helped me to gain confidence in working with and managing new teams. I also built some really great relationships during my time out of my base store which really helped me as I progressed through my placement, networking is definitely one of the biggest benefits from doing a placement year in my opinion.

After my Food rotation I was exposed to many other areas of the business such as Hospitality Management, Finance and Operations, Visual Merchandising, and General Merchandise. The variety of my placement was what I enjoyed the most; I got to work with many different teams, focus on different aspects of managing a business, and also develop different personal skills at every stage.

For my final attachment I was appointed Project Manager of the opening of a brand new pop-up school wear store. It was the first time this had ever been done in the business, and a fantastic opportunity for me to take full responsibility for a project from start to finish, recruiting a new team and working with Head Office to ensure the store was a success. Although a little daunting and requiring a lot of hard work, it was an amazing project to be a part of and gave me great exposure to areas of the business I hadn’t come across before. I loved every minute of it!

At the end of my programme I was offered a job with the company after Graduation, which I happily accepted. This has taken a lot of pressure off me in my final year, as I am able to fully concentrate on my studies without worrying about applications, interviews and jobs as well as deadlines and exams! And one thing which I have definitely found is that the work I did on my placement has really helped me when returning to university. I am now able to apply what we learn to a real business example which really helps me to understand the theoretical aspects of the course. Also group work, presentations and similar activities which I would have previously found daunting are definitely not any more, having done these things on a daily basis on my placement.

I would genuinely recommend anybody to complete a year in industry as part of their Business course. It really developed me as a person in many ways, as well as having a fantastic time, meeting some amazing people and leaving with a Graduate job secured for the future!

What a personal tutor can do for you

By Lucy Grimes

Before you come to university you might question what the role of a personal tutor is, and how their role fits in with your life at the university. I was also unsure of this before becoming a student, but being now in my fourth year at the management school I can definitely say I have had a great experience and continued support from my personal tutor throughout my time here.
During my first year my personal tutor was fantastic in providing support in terms of the transition to studying at university from a sixth form or college, and was a contact within the school that I could have a quick chat with if there was anything I was unsure of- a really useful thing to have when you’re getting to grips with the whole university system. It also helped to review my performance throughout the year, to ensure I made the necessary changes to my studies before I reached my second year.
When it came to beginning my second year, I decided to apply for a part time job, and my personal tutor also helped me with this, providing me with a reference when requested, and advising on the recommended number of hours for part time work during full time study.
In the course of my second year I also decided to undertake an Industrial Placement as part of my degree. Although I was aware of the process of how to secure a placement with external companies, I was very unsure of the process involved from the university’s perspective. However, my tutor helped me every step of the way to make sure that the process ran smoothly, and ensured that I was transferred to a ‘Degree with Employment Experience’- allowing me to undertake the placement whilst gaining recognition for it in my degree title.
Once I began my placement, my personal tutor was the consistent link between myself, my employment and my education. My placement was based in Manchester so I was therefore no longer living in Sheffield, which can make it difficult to feel a part of the university community. However I had regular communication with my personal tutor via email and telephone, which was really reassuring when you are away from the university environment. During our telephone meetings we would discuss my placement in detail, in terms of how I was getting on and if there had been any problems. My tutor took a keen interest into what I was doing right up until the very end of my placement. He also helped me to carefully choose my final year modules whilst I was away on placement, based on my subject preferences and previous performance in other subjects and assessment styles. I feel that with his assistance I chose final year modules which were appropriate and best suited to my learning style.

On return to university my tutor provided continued support on the subject of final year studies as well as career choices for the future. We looked together at how I had performed in other years, and what grades I should hope to achieve in my final year. This really helped me to clarify where I was up to with my studies and also helped me not to panic about final year exams and assignments!
In my first personal tutor meeting of this year we also discussed the job offer which I was holding, as well as other options for future careers, and my tutor encouraged me to attend a range of further careers events which really helped me to consider all the options available to me.
Overall, I feel that I have received a fantastic level of support from my personal tutor throughout the whole time I have been at the university, and would encourage other students to really make the most of the additional guidance and support you can gain from it. My university life would definitely not have run as smoothly as it has without the help of my personal tutor!