Tag: skills

Hello from Dallas!

AleenaBy Aleena Raikundalia, BA International Business Management

Hey everyone, welcome to my blog! My name is Aleena Raikundalia, and I’m studying International Business Management at The University of Texas, Dallas.

Residence Hall NorthMy passion for travelling inspired my decision to study abroad, and this is an opportunity I will cherish for the rest of my life! I chose to study in America primarily because I wanted to experience the diversity and the variety in the American way of life, although Chipotle and the sushi bars also played a part in my decision!

The UTD Campus is located in the heart of Richardson, a city next to Dallas. The campus is vast yet very modern. It is slightly difficult to travel off campus without a car, especially since the distance between the campus and other amenities is too far to walk. However, you can always rely on the University Shuttle, Ubers or a friend with a car.

Campus at nightAs an exchange student, it is a requirement to stay university residence halls. I managed to make amazing friends during my first month, so living on campus is definitely an amazing way to meet new people and get involved in the various events and activities. Academically there are no restricted modules allowing students to choose classes of their choice/interest.

Studying abroad surely benefits your CV, but there is so much more you can do to get the most out of your year abroad! Personally, I am looking forward to travelling around the United States, experiencing new cultures and traditions, making new friends and, most importantly, making memories that will last a lifetime!

What is Enactus?

Nathan AllabyBy Nathan Allaby

You probably haven’t heard of Enactus before, and neither had I. Although Enactus is actually an absolutely massive nonprofit social enterprise, operating in 36 different countries and over 1700 universities worldwide. The organisation creates a platform for entrepreneurial students to create community development projects both locally and internationally. In addition to these projects, regional, national and international competitions are run annually, in which Enactus teams from around the world showcase their work to a board of corporate executives. Enactus Sheffield has a fantastic track record in these competitions, taking second place at nationals for the past 9 years and winning in 2010 and 2014.

What you will do in Enactus Sheffield_MG_9854

There are two broad types of projects at Enactus Sheffield. Social Projects are those that aim to improve the lives of those in need in a sustainable and effective way, whilst Commercial Projects are separate businesses run in order to fund the Social Projects. At the moment I am working in a commercial programme called “The One Project,” where we sell mineral water to local cafes and establish marketing campaigns to increase awareness of water sanitation issues in parts of Africa. This involves meeting once a week on Wednesday afternoons, where our team members share their independent progress during the week and also discuss different selling strategy ideas collaboratively.

Outcomes and Skills

This project has significantly developed my confidence and presentation skills as I was given the opportunity to meet with potential clients and pitch our product. In addition to this, it is rare to be able to have full control over the running of a business but to also have a support network available at the same time. At the moment, I am in the sales team of “The One Project”, however there are also great promotion prospects, and starting second year I hope to be leading my own smaller project. There are also many positions available on the committee including roles such as Financial Director and Head of Media Relations. Therefore, whatever your particular skill set is, you’ll be able to find a role that you can enjoy and excel in.