Considering doing a year abroad as part of your studies? We find out how one KBS International Business student is getting on during their study abroad placement so far. Read about their experience here.
My name is Arielle Hutchinson. I’m from Trinidad and I’m in my third year of studying International Business with Spanish at Kent Business School.
Studying at KBS
I chose to study at KBS because I have always wanted to study in the UK and I really liked the programme and experience that Kent offered. I liked that the campus was lively and seemed to have lots of activities and that the business school offered many opportunities for you to get into and unlock your potential. The way that the programmes are taught at KBS ensures that all the content is easy to follow and is in line with our degree but also allows us to go further into the topics which we are most interested in through assignments and projects. All of the professors and the staff at KBS are very welcoming and always happy to help with any questions or problems you might have. Everyone at KBS is very supportive especially the professors. They are always open to answering more questions about assignments or content you don’t understand.
My placement year
I am studying Business Administration with some Politics electives at IE University in Madrid in Spain. Studying at IE University is very different from being at Kent. It’s a much smaller community and time-wise the classes are a lot more demanding. All classes are class-room based which is nice because you get to know all of your professors on a more personal level. It’s amazing being in a big city like Madrid but it is a big change from Canterbury.
Highlights
So far the highlights have been meeting so many new people, experiencing a new city and having good weather until November as well as having improved my Spanish. I have also learned the importance of taking up all extra academic opportunities, especially as IE offers so many of them.
Challenges
I think the biggest challenge has been adjusting to being in a non-Anglophone country. However, KBS has been helpful while I have been away and have reminded me that I can contact them if ever I need something. I think I have integrated well being in a new environment. At first it was a bit more challenging than I thought it would be adjusting to speaking a new language as well as living in a country with a very different culture, but ultimately I believe this exchange was a good fit for me.
Expectations
The year abroad has met my expectations because it has taken me out of my comfort zone in a really good way. By undertaking a year abroad, I believe it shows that you are extremely adaptable and open to new, challenging experiences and I feel that these are qualities which all employers will highly value.
Advice
For students going on a year abroad, I would say to prepare for a big change, especially if you are not going to a campus university. Also, the best way to go into the experience is with an open mind, be open to new experiences and you will learn a lot and have an amazing time.
Find out more about the University of Kent’s Study Abroad Placement scheme