Why did you decide to study at UC?
I chose UC because it offered a pathway that enabled me to change careers from the music industry, in which I was previously working, to business. UC Business School offers programmes that allow students who hold a non-business bachelor’s degree to study at a master’s level, and I was able to choose the major I wanted to specialise in. The degree is well designed and I was able to understand the basics all the way up to complex levels without feeling overwhelmed.
I also aimed to pursue professional qualifications such as CA and CFA, and completing UC’s programme has prepared me well to achieve this.
How did your degree prepare you for your career?
My UC degree greatly enhanced my understanding and skills in accounting and finance, exposing me to both industries and preparing me to be a working professional. UC is also well recognised and actively engaged in the industry across Aotearoa New Zealand and the globe, and the professional networking events helped me connect with industry experts.
What hands-on or practical learning experiences did you benefit from?
The great thing about UC is there are many opportunities to apply what you learn in class to real world scenarios. For me, a lot of these came through the UC Business School clubs. I learned how to think like a consultant through case competitions with 180 Degrees Consulting, explored what it was like to build a startup through Entre, and learned to build a community through the Business Taught Masters Club’s events and gatherings.
Did you have any opportunities to gain work experience while studying?
UC Business School’s Global Impact Industry Project connected me with a startup based in Christchurch. During the internship, my team and I generated an analysis on how to help the client expand its services to the Australian market and find ways to stand out by leveraging their strengths and maximising opportunities. My team won second place, and we have stayed in touch since the project ended.
How did you find UC’s academic staff?
They were helpful, compassionate, and empathetic. Even when I was studying online in Indonesia, they created virtual experiences and opportunities so I still felt connected with the UC community. My lecturers were very engaging and they loved encouraging our learning. When students and lecturers didn’t see eye-to-eye, the lecturers embraced the discussion and appreciated the different points of views.
What was the support like for international students at UC Business School?
The staff was very helpful, and we always knew who to contact or where to go for assistance. Since English is a second language for most of us, the Academic Skills Centre classes helped us to understand and navigate assignments. They also helped with adapting to the culture shock.
How did you find life in Christchurch?
Living in Christchurch taught me how to have a balanced lifestyle between my studies, work, and downtime. The people were so nice, welcoming, and very open to international students.
What did you enjoy doing when you weren’t studying?
I loved walking around the city centre and studying at Tūranga, the city library. There’s a lot of good food and entertainment in Christchurch, and I also loved hiking around the beaches and Port Hills, where you can get great views of the city and the ocean. These locations were easy to access without a car; I could just take a bus to get there.
What do you value most about your time at UC?
UC really prepares you to grow from a student into becoming an industry-ready professional through the combination of learning applicable technical skills, opportunities to gain real-world experience, exposure to industry connections, and encouragement from lecturers, staff and classmates. It’s a comprehensive experience that extends beyond the classroom.
UC’s Centre for Employability and Career Development also greatly helped me polish my CV and interview skills, I found a wonderful mentor through UC Women in Business, and the alumni network is a great resource to connect and get career guidance.
