From India to Kent - we did it!
Read our stories to get the inside track on life at Kent.
Coming to Kent to study for an MBA was a big decision for me and I was very excited. I’d also received a Women in Leadership Scholarship from Kent, which was aimed at increasing the number of women in leadership roles, which made me feel that Kent was a place where I would thrive.
But, when the time came to leave home, I got cold feet; I had never lived away before. My husband was very supportive, he reminded me how much work I’d already put into my application and how much I wanted to do the MBA.
When my flight landed my nerves came back, but there was a coach at the airport to pick us up. Once I was on my way to Kent with all the other students I started to relax.
When I arrived at uni, I took my family back home on a tour of the campus via video call, that was great!
My first week at Kent was very busy, there were lots of events organised for the MBA cohort, we went on a tour of Canterbury, including to the Cathedral which was amazing, so beautiful. It was great to get to know each other and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve really involved myself in campus life, I’m a student rep for the MBA and an MBA ambassador.
I live in University accommodation, which is perfect for me as I have a lot of contact hours, so being near to my lectures makes life a lot easier. It also means I can take advantage of all the campus events. I’ll cook with my housemates, some of them also do my course so we can chat about that too. I’d definitely recommend living on campus.
It’s natural to get homesick at times, particularly if you stay on campus for the vacation. For me, I find it’s important to stay busy so I go for walks or to the gym; the library is open all hours, so if I can’t sleep, I go there and work. If I’m up early I’ll go and watch the sunrise over Canterbury Cathedral, that always brightens my mood.
When I compare how nervous I was about coming to Kent to study to what I’ve achieved since arriving, I feel very proud.
After I completed my undergraduate degree in India I made the decision to come to Kent to study a Master’s in Applied Actuarial Science. I live in Mumbai and had never been away from home before, so it was an exciting prospect.
Having met other Kent students in Mumbai at an event the University organised, I was able to travel with some of them to the UK.
When I arrived at Kent, I found there was so much going on in Welcome Week that I didn’t have much time to be homesick! I joined in with a ‘colour run’ where students run around campus while other students throw colours (paint powder) at them – I was one of the people running! It’s very similar to Holi.
At the end of the first term, my parents came to visit, it was great to see them and I really enjoyed showing them around campus.
Joining societies is a great way to get involved in uni life. I’m a member of the Invicta Actuarial Science Society, it’s an academic society, which has been great. But I also joined the Frisbee Society, I love it! I’ve met some new people and enjoy the training. I haven’t quite got up to the level to compete yet.
I enjoy living in uni accommodation, I’ve made friends and, as I’m the youngest, people like to look after me! We do cook together, but I’ve also found that the on-campus Co-op does some very tasty frozen Indian meals – I didn’t think they’d be any good but, honestly, they’re great!
Talking of food, you won’t have any problem finding vegetarian and vegan food, there are lots of options on campus and in Canterbury. Also, look out for special meal deals in campus restaurants, they offer a quick fix between lectures, particularly during busy exam periods.
