Rajeeb Ghose

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Kenya but then we moved to India where I did my primary and secondary education.

Why did you choose Kent?

I wanted to study economics and was looking at the best ranked universities for economics. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the A-level results I was hoping for, but Kent accepted me on to the International Foundation Programme (IFP). The IFP looked interesting; it gave me a chance to live on campus and take advantage of all the University’s resources, while preparing for degree-level study. Also, English is not my first language and it gave me a chance to develop my language skills.

And Kent is kind of a family tradition – my brother, my sister, my cousin and my uncle all came here. It’s like my second home!

Did the IFP live up to your expectations?

Yes, it was an exceptional experience. As an international student, you expect to find it difficult to adjust to a new education system but I got along with everybody straightaway. The teachers and lecturers were so friendly and supportive, it was brilliant.

What about your fellow students?

There were around 120 students doing lots of different modules but we all came together for our academic skills modules. After lectures, we would get together socially and that is how I got to know people. Everyone was so friendly, it felt like I’d just joined a new family here. It was great.

Tell us about your IFP studies.

When I started the IFP I was very motivated; I had to get an aggregate score of 65% to progress to an Economics degree and I wanted to prove that I could do it. The IFP is challenging but the teachers are incredibly supportive. The feedback they give you on your work is fantastic and I was able to use that feedback to improve my grades. You are taught about essay writing, referencing and how to study independently. You gain critical competence, an understanding of how to frame your response to a question rather than just writing everything you know. It does take time to adjust but in the end my exams went well and I got on to my chosen degree.

Did the skills you learnt on the IFP help in your undergraduate studies?

Yes, absolutely, I think everyone should do a foundation year. I still remember my first Economics lecture: I thought ‘What have I let myself in for?’ But the study skills and knowledge I had gained on the IFP had given me a foundation on which to build.

Did you enjoy your degree?

Yes, I did. Obviously, I was delighted to get a First. When my lecturer told me I felt so happy; when I got my A-level results I was very disappointed and never imagined I would be able to get a First, but now I have.

I took the year in industry option so spent time on two placements, one at the Office for National Statistics and one at Cummins. It was good to work in the public and the private sector and made me realise that I do want to use the knowledge I have learnt in my career.

Did you join any societies?

Not in my foundation year, because I wanted to focus on my studies. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy myself though, we went on picnics, tours, it was really good fun.

What advice would you give to someone considering the IFP?

Do it! You learn so many things that will benefit you in the future; it transforms you, heightens your ambition and gives you the foundation for a successful career. I could give you so many examples of people who have benefited from their foundation year: one of my friends has become a manager within a year and another has become a lawyer.

The IFP had a huge impact on me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You make lifelong friends – my closest friends are all from my foundation year. I would definitely recommend it.