Student Blog Collection

So I think we’ve established how intense a typical module week at WMG can be. With the 9-6:30 pm classes, the rigorous activities - it’s a lot. However, it’s so much more than this. Module after module, I’ve found myself reflecting on something that specific module did to transform my character.

With the most recent module, reflecting was something we were encouraged to do. If you are planning to study IAE at WMG, then I am so excited for you to hopefully get a chance to be taught by the indomitable Dee Nicholls. Making both in-module and post-module reflections is something I have become accustomed to doing as a result of her incredible teaching methods which encourage you to reflect on your decision-making process. This reflective process also requires pure honesty and I found that I had to address some major character flaws within myself.

From being incredibly defensive to never wanting to accept that I was wrong, I saw some ugly sides of myself jump out during the module week. However, what was so amazing was the fact that though I approached the various tasks and activities with not-the-best attitude, I also had the opportunity to recognise this was the case and seek to do better, to be better.

You see, these modules are not just mentally stimulating (though they really, really are!) but they can also contribute to making you a better leader, team player, a better person - if you let them. If you are open to correction, choose to remain teachable and choose to have fun in the entire process; you are bound to come out the other side with not just a pat on the back for yourself, but several lessons to apply to the next chapter of your journey.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

So I chose to quarantine with my family because I felt it would be the best option for my mental health. However, beforehand - it was so important for me to make a visit to the University’s library, especially considering the fact that it was closing down soon after my visit. I have a weird love for the library, specifically Warwick’s library. I had gone on behalf of a friend and had not intended to borrow anything for myself but as I walked the aisles and came across the section on ‘Feminism’, multiple light bulbs flickered in my mind.

With a dissertation topic about female entrepreneurship, I require a lot of information about the female sentiment in relation to business and I was so pleased to discover a plethora of books which offered me the exact information I needed. I was home. Warwick’s Library never fails to offer a range of resources that make me feel secure, knowing I have searched wide and far to buttress an essay or project I am working on. I also really appreciate how easy it is to find books I am looking for and how the voyage to find it, for me at least - brings me so much joy! Additionally, the option to renew books (for up to 3 times!) is something that saves my life, con-stant-ly.

What’s more, with the current situation, I can still rely on the e-resources provided via the library. Though I definitely prefer being able to hold a book in my hands, I am grateful that this is the case. I am grateful that I am able to gain support in this way and look forward to being able to confidently return my books, unmasked.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

So it goes without saying, things are no longer the same. When news of the pandemic first broke, I never anticipated how different everything would turn out to be - especially when it came to my course. However, two weeks ago I recognised the beauty in allowing ourselves readjust to this ‘new normal.’ Although waking up at 8:30 am to attend my 9:00 am class online still had the same effect (tired & groggy as always) I was so impressed as to how my department and specifically my module tutor had successfully transformed our module to be experienced online - all within the matter of a few weeks! I don’t feel as though I lost anything out of the experience. If anything, studying a module like ’Management of Change’ over the week was so fitting as it encouraged us all to embrace the changes before us.

I for one enjoyed this change. There was a level of controlled freedom this module brought me. My day became more structured and instead of rolling out of bed ad 2:00pm, I had the opportunity to be mentally stimulated for 10 hours each day. Additionally, we were forced to face the reality of Covid-19 by thinking about how businesses would need to innovate to survive this pandemic through the various tasks and activities given to us. I felt this was incredibly important for a class filled with budding entrepreneurs. It gave us the opportunity to consider the highs and lows our future businesses might have to experience and I feel the lessons we learnt will birth better entrepreneurs out of us.

I also really appreciated making use of Microsoft Teams. There’s a reoccurring advert on TV right now that highlights how Teams has been integral to sustaining the workflow for a lot of businesses and companies. After using it during my module week, I understand why. It offered a seamless experience and thanks to my amazing module tutor, all the information was easily accessible and it never felt as though we were lacking in support. I have to give props to WMG for ensuring we are never kept in the dark during this ‘new normal’ and I’m looking forward to experiencing another module week as I feel a true readjustment has occurred and will continue to occur as we #StayHome to save lives!

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

It has finally happened! After a break from classes for about a month, teaching has finally returned! But in the online format. There was a multitude of questions to be answered. Would it be as effective as onsite learning? Would I enjoy it? What is the best camera angle to make my room look good?

I got up quite early last Monday, as I usually do during a module week, and prepared for class. I signed into Microsoft Teams and all of the worries about whether this would be an effective teaching method vanished. Things went much better than I could ever have expected.

Guest Lectures

One way in which we benefited during the last module, which may not have happened on site, was the presence of multiple international guest lecturers. The distance learning nature of the module enabled the module tutor to think beyond the borders of the UK and to invite esteemed experts who lived in different countries. Their input was invaluable and thoroughly enjoyed.

Engagement

Although it took some time getting used to, eventually everyone seemed to warm up to the online environment and were asking questions and making suggestions as if we were present within the classroom. We were even assigned group tasks which further helped us to engage with the subject matter. We weren’t just sitting around all day pretending to listen. Engagement was a must! Furthermore, at the end of each day, the module leader asked for feedback in order to improve the quality of the delivery.

Focusing

Within the classroom environment, you may lose focus and find it difficult to regain it. However, the flexibility of the online learning environment meant it was possible to find creative ways of maintaining optimum focus. At one point I was walking around my room; at another, I was lying on the floor and at another time I was doing push-ups. All the while listening and keeping my focus on the subject at hand.

The content of this class was designed well to suit this new way of learning. I thoroughly enjoyed this module! I may have enjoyed it more than some onsite ones (Shhh.. That’s our secret!).

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

Have you heard of March Madness? This phrase is usually associated with the American College Basketball Competition during the said month. Are there any such popular phrases associated with the month of May?

Be right back. I’ll need to Google that.

Apparently, 2nd May is International Day of Idleness and interestingly enough a survey of 40,00 people found that people born in May think of themselves as luckier than everyone else. Were you born in May? Unfortunately, after looking at my schedule for May I consider myself neither lucky or having the opportunity for idle days. This month is madness!

Throughout the year, I have counted myself quite fortunate because I did not have any modules on consecutive weeks, unlike some of my other WMG colleagues. But this all changed, one day when the COVID-19 attacked (Any Avatar: The Last Airbender fans out there?). The pandemic has caused a reshuffling of my timetable and I currently have one module ending on 1st May and two other modules on consecutive weeks starting the 11th May. So, there will be a point during this month where I’ll be working on three PMAs! Wait. There is more! I also may, sorry for the pun, be required to do additional work on the Methodology chapter of my dissertation. Send help!

So how do I plan on managing my wellbeing during this tough period?

Have a laugh

Firstly, I hope you are finding that this blog has been light-hearted. That is how I usually deal with difficult situations. I find a way to laugh at it. That helps keep me at ease and my mind free of (too many) negative thoughts.

Plan

Secondly, I plan. There is a set timetable for lectures; deadlines for assignments have been posted and the suggested amount of time that should be spent doing each PMA given. So, I have drawn up a plan with these variables in mind. Thankfully, WMG has extended the deadlines for each assignment by two weeks as a result of the global situation.

Have a break

Thirdly, take breaks. I am guilty of pushing myself too hard at times. Trying to keep to my schedule. However, I have learned that sometimes your body does not want to go. Don’t force it. Paradoxically I have found that after taking some time away from the work, the next day is often super productive. Remember, taking a break is not wasting time!

Challenge Accepted!

I look at this mountain and I’m excited by the challenge! In my mind, this is another opportunity to stretch myself and I relish that!

I will definitely let you know how this goes!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

Joining the Warwick Buddhist Society, networking with undergraduates is a proud memory of mine. Some students joining Warwick University, and the WMG department on a masters programme might hang out with other students on either the same programme or in the department. Going out of your comfort zone discovering new territories, speaking with another generation was very inspiring, as we all are driven by different hobbies and objectives, although all were gathering together sharing a common interest. Buddhism is evoking voyage, journey, discovery more particularly meditation which is rewarding beyond belief, allowing anyone to access new areas of your mind. Being guided through this journey with a knowledgeable monk was both an enlightenment and an inspiring moment.

Many might be scared thinking of Buddhists as being linked to guru’s and some kind of strange habits, however, explaining the things I have done, it mainly consists of meditation sessions, all lead by a local monk. A community of Monks is living in Birmingham, although there is also a monk living in the Forest Hermitage in Warwickshire who is leading with great passion and desire to teach, meditation sessions in Warwick University. Considering the importance of meditation in your life it is a privilege to be able to practise and be guided with someone as inspiring as Luangpor Khemadhammo.

Meditation is unlocking free space in your mind, leaving worries, stress and anxiety behind, living the present moment to the fullest, accessing through breathing answers about yourself. Forgetting material things and losing consciousness of weight and where we are you access new dimensions you would never imagine possible. Letting go and looking at your life through a careless lens is a powerful feeling able to lift you up whenever you feel down. Forgetting about the environment we are in, letting go of the things we know and beliefs we have, allow anyone to both relax and gain new strengths, regenerating our mind to filter bad and negative thoughts which are drowning us and holding us back.

Faith is an interesting topic to speak about as it drives all of our lives since the earliest days of humanity. Without some kinds of beliefs and faith, mankind would not be able to survive in this place called planet earth. Speaking of faith and beliefs is a delicate subject, as we all are on a different journey and no one really holds all the answers. However, there is a common ground where anyone is free to create their own conception and build their own reality respecting rules and precepts our ancestors have discovered long before we were born.

“There is little that is as important as this constructed meaning. Research consistently finds that experiencing a coherent and meaningful life is one of the strongest predictors of our wellbeing. By meaningful, I mean having a story to tell, a higher reason as to why one thing happened and not another. This makes us feel good and helps us to act in ways that are consistent with our higher goals, instead of pursuing more short-term pleasures.” Thomas T. Hills is professor of psychology at the University of Warwick

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Hey guys!

I can imagine one of the big questions going into a Masters degree is “what is my dissertation topic going to be?!”. Especially now at a time like this, it’s harder for us to know how our research is going to take place. It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride trying to navigate through it but, thankfully, with the right supervisor, everything can turn out great.

Walking into my Masters, I had absolutely no clue as to what I wanted to do for my project. Then, one day, during my first module, my lecturer mentioned a research area he was interested in supervising and I immediately jumped at the opportunity. It was something I was really interested in myself and thought “why not have a chat with him?”. So, I did. We ended up having a very fruitful conversation and found that we’d be able to work really well as supervisor-and-supervisee.

After a number of meetings and brainstorm sessions of my own, we had established a concrete topic that I was so eager to work on. I have to say, if there’s one thing these weird times have taught me about dissertations, it is that my interest in the work I do can really propel me a long way ahead.

Even though I am facing hurdles currently trying to conduct my field research, this motivation has kept pushing me to find new ways to get it done. Thankfully, with the help and understanding of my supervisor, Paul Gower, I feel even more supported in my dissertation progress.

Not only that, WMG has offered us, students, ample support in terms of deadlines, extensions and guidance through every project chapter. We still have our research and methodology classes, workshops and guidebooks on Moodle to help us understand how we can produce the best possible work.

If there’s any advice I can give you when it comes to your own dissertation, they are 1.) do it on a topic you are genuinely interested in and 2.) find a supervisor who you can work really with. Despite these trying times, having checked these two boxes has not made me lose faith in my project.

I hope when your time comes to choose a topic, you remember my advice and know that WMG is a great place for support.

Take care and stay happy and safe, everyone x

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

Hey!

How are you doing?

I hope by now most of us have found a way to navigate through this time and have somewhat of a routine going.

Last week, I had my first online class with WMG on International Joint Ventures. Going into this, I did not have any high expectations, especially because my class was the first group to have this module online. But, nevertheless, I thought it would be an interesting experience.

Class began on a Sunday morning, which actually turned out to be better than it sounds. The class had the opportunity to socialize as a group after a while and it was comforting to be reminded that we were all in the same boat.

We had two sessions throughout the week – lectures and a collaborative group exercise. In the morning, we started with the exercise. This was a good idea as we had the opportunity to begin the day on a high note with some active conversations. Later, in the lectures, it was great to see the lecturers trying to make the sessions as interactive as possible by asking questions and inviting discussions. It was very obvious the effort they put into making this a great module for the class.

I will admit that it was definitely an adjustment from our usual face-to-face lessons. But, once I got used to this new setting, I really enjoyed our classes. It was a great feeling knowing I got to wake up to a day of productivity spent with friends and a great team of lecturers.

I look forward to my next, and LAST, module of my masters in a few weeks. Can’t believe this experience has just flew right by me. I guess that just means I’ve been enjoying it right?!

Check in soon!

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

Following on from my post on our new reality, I thought it would be helpful to discuss my new routine. This exact timings change daily but on a general note, I have tried to develop and maintain some form of structure to my day as otherwise, six weeks in, I would have completely cracked up by now. With no concept of days and time as I am not working for an employer, I knew from the beginning I needed to create my own timetable.

I spent the last six months forcing myself to make the library my working space, training my brain to concentrate when in that space as I associated it solely with research. I did not work in my bedroom as I did not have a living room on campus. My bedroom was my safe haven, solely for relaxing and the kitchen, was just for cooking. Now, I am writing my dissertation and assignments from a kitchen table and adjusting to the fact that this will be the reality for the remaining postgraduate work I do. E-books and online journal articles are my new best friends, which when you are used to hardcopies, is actually quiet a study adjustment. A couple of weeks in I am slowly adjusting, I have learned that the long library days I use to do are no longer possible. Shorter work sprints make the work manageable, less daunting and I find it easier to concentrate as a result.

I wake at 8 or 9 am and exercise for an hour. Exercise has been an absolute saving grace for my mental health in the last few weeks. Whether it is a run, walk, Pilates class, HIIT workout or just stretching. It clears my head; allow me to hit reset and has made me feel stronger. I find doing this in the mornings sets me up for the day ahead. After exercise, I complete any admin tasks I need to do, have lunch and then set in to work for the afternoon. The work is happening every day, but just at a new slow and steady rate.

I ask myself in the morning what I would like to achieve in the day. A 5KM run, a paragraph in my research design chapter, read two journal articles and calling one of my friends is an example of a type of list. It is manageable, achievable but most importantly if it does not happen, that is okay. Although the baking, social media challenges and never ending zoom calls are great, do not feel any pressure or need to take part. The thing about a global pandemic is that there is no right or wrong way to deal with it, do whatever makes you feel good.

Your physical and mental health are so important right now. I promise your work will flow so much easier if you are kind to yourself. If you are in a country that is allowing you to go outside for exercise, please soak up all the beauty and vitamin D around you. Spring has well and truly sprung!

You can blossom in all of this too.

Leah

MSc SCLM

It has taken a couple of weeks for me to digest what has happened, come to terms with the new day to day normal and to conjure up every possibility in my head of what could possibly happen. If someone had asked me how I thought my University of Warwick experience would end, I would have certainly said with graduation. A global pandemic you say? Don’t be ridiculous!

But yet, here we are. I have lived and worked in England for over five years however, Ireland will always be home. I had the opportunity to go to Ireland six weeks ago but as the virus was not in my hometown yet and I did not want to risk going through airports, carrying it back to my family and in turn my town. I also do not associate home with working, always as a holiday so I worried greatly about getting any work done. I naively thought I would go to London and stay with one of my best friends for now and see what happens. Six weeks later, I am still here!

Campus shut down in the last few weeks as everyone was instructed to work from home, all buildings closed, all classes changed to online and the saddest part of all, most students went home. There are a handful of people I know still on campus, but most have returned to their home countries. I desperately hope we can all reunite in the coming months, and graduation will still go ahead in the new year. Our postgraduate experience ending in such an abrupt fashion has been a lot to come to terms with. Six months was far too short for my UK University experience, but what an incredible journey it has been.

WMG like all of us, have had to act quickly and adapt to a situation they never dreamed of. Our remaining modules have gone online, and all dissertation meetings have been moved to Teams. Assignment extensions of two weeks have been granted and our dissertation deadline has been extended also. The ReMe team are working harder than ever to help students with their dissertation research methods remotely, and the Postgraduate office have been on hand to help student with any questions they may have. I think they have done a great job in quickly taking control of a situation that has been anything but, predictable.

This is not something anyone could have prepared themselves for and the University of Warwick are doing everything they can to ensure that course criteria are met, despite the disruption. This is no easy task and I personally think, everyone needs to be realistic in their expectations. Online teaching is not going to compare to being in a classroom, but thankfully it is happening and if we continue working hard, we can still receive our qualifications.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you and yours are safe and keeping well. To anyone that has lost someone as a result of the virus, I am so sorry for your loss.

Remember, we are not stuck at home, we are safe at home.

Leah  

"Not until you realise your confidence and your ability are you able to overcome your anxiety, worries, doubts or stress holding you back. In those actions that are holding you back, you do not realise who you are. To become confident you have to do hard things over and over again until you eventually get there, such as mastering new skills, learning a language, train at the gym or pass exams throughout the year." L. Howes

Being a student on a master programme you will probably face criticism choosing to pursue studies or even face adversity trying to fit a certain mould based on expectations from family or friends. All of these external feelings and choices you are facing are normal, as many have faced the same situation of external pressure, personally set or from outside. What is required? If you are drowning under pressure you first need to know the situation to be temporary. Everyone has to try to see a setback as a gift, exposing you to another perspective of life and learn from it.

Parents are often there to wish and make sure the best occur to their children, they have probably pictured themselves with everything they would like to see done. The essence of living up to expectations is probably drowning you. To overcome the pressure you set yourself, you first need to understand where it comes from, identifying the person speaking to you in your head. Once you know the reason behind the way you look at yourself, you tell that voice the exact opposite if the thought is negative. Bringing your mind back to your inner home is done through meditation, accepting the world as it is. In fact, the world is filled with suffering. Before you set out your journey to help others you need to realise that you will be on your own surrounded by others. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people will help you feel safe, leaving toxic people out of your way. Being criticised is inevitable but spreading loving kindness and wishing the best to people will help you set your journey out for greatness.

Self-awareness in any situation gives an opportunity to carefully choose the right answer, controlling your feelings, thoughts or emotions. Problems always occur when you expect them the least, letting go is often the proper way, as you are not always in control of a given situation. In other words, you often think to be only one answer to adversity, denying the option b, which is seeing things with positivity. When something truly bad happens saying thanks for the learning is able to switch your mindset. Daily lives are filled with setbacks and frustrations, it takes a bit of courage to see things through another perspective eventually with distance as everything you face is meant for a reason.

Every one of you is gifted with a great personality meant to achieve great things, but you eventually get there through setbacks. In fact, nothing great is achieved with ease. You will have to overcome hurdles and experience setbacks, for sure, the point is how you are overcoming them, eventually seeking help to be able to move forward in your life.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Deciding to pursue studies was a hard decision to make at first, however, the very reason for choosing to go for it was the learning and the discoveries to be gained. Some people could argue that the things which were to be learned could have been done through late-night classes while working or joining some training during the year, all of these points are valid, although the bright people you meet, being able to share thoughts and dreams, is not something possible in all kinds of circumstances.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, no regrets are expressed from my side. In fact, the choice of having joined WMG for a master programme will be valuable later in my career development. Having to admit, that thoughts were being processed, lots of thoughts, tracing back everything from birth to present day. The summary to all those aforementioned thoughts is being summarised in having luck. Blessed, being able to be offered a platform to achieve the goals being set out before me joining the master, as well as the level of understanding which was gained, insights on the functioning of the mind. New topics which were learned would otherwise take a while before being assimilated outside this programme.

Discoveries which were possible to be made before the lockdown are now memories being cherished. Although time passes on quickly, having made the right decision to take a deep breath in other cities, were a good opportunity to see new cities in the UK. Discovering new cities were also the opportunity to build strong relationships which will last beyond the master programme. Being able to come across like-minded people during your master programme is an opportunity to unlock new dimensions of yourself, accepting and understanding yourself better.

The persons to be thanked for the adventure will recognise themselves as it would take ages to name all of them. The latest persons I have met will see how much they mean to me through the picture shown below. They have changed my life forever. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 is now part of the master programme, should we hate it or find inner strength thanks to it, we have to live through the situation. Everyone has a good reason for blaming persons or governments not taking actions. However, for things, no one has ever come across, everyone, should look into the mirror and eventually blame its own person. In the end, blaming does not get ourselves very far in life, which is why this COVID-19 is a hurdle to go through. If we do the next right thing we may well get ourselves out of that dark cave we have been laying for a few weeks, finding ourselves in possession of strengths we thought we wouldn't find before the end of the lockdown.

If you are still wondering if you should be joining the WMG department for a master programme know it will be hard, however, hardship makes all of us a stronger self. The learning, as well as the understanding you will gain, are some of the things you will be forever thankful.

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus - W. E Henly used by N. Mandela

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Amidst the situation in the UK these days (Covid-19), throwing back to the induction week is still possible allowing me to recall some sweet memories and give some recommendations along the way.

The first few weeks of you arriving in a new environment is a beautiful period of new interactions, relationships to create, as well as new things to discover. At Warwick University, more specifically in the WMG department, you will be able to join lots of activities and achieve the things you have set out to do. Wishing to learn new things or simply to make the best out of of your degree, you will soon find yourself among bright people. Not only will you meet new people, but you will also have a library at your disposal to dig deeper into subjects that are of a passion to you. One year goes quickly by, which is why building on your confidence and inner-strength during the academic year will be valuable for your life after your MSc programme.

Warwick University welcome’s people from all kinds of faith and beliefs offering a Chaplaincy where you are given the space to practise your faith. The values of Warwick University being for everyone to feel home in their new environment. Inclusivity is, therefore, to respect everyone regardless of religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability and ethnicity.

As in many Universities, Warwick Uni offers a wide range of societies for you to discover new skills or strengthen existing ones. Don’t hesitate to speak with someone from the Student Union if there is any society you would like to join or anything you would like to do during your academic year. Societies are not only there for skills or learning but are also offering you the opportunity to join like-minded people through a country, skill, faith or gender-based group. It is important during your time at Warwick University to focus on the goals you have outside the school. Having activities aside from your degree you will be able to free your mind and focus on other things that drive both your motivation or passion. Equally so, by joining like-minded people you will feel more comfortable in the school environment, building on your social network which is of a valuable asset for your life.

Warwick University emphasises inclusion and accepting people from all kinds of backgrounds. However, discrimination and isolation are still issues faced by the LBGTUA+ community. During the academic year you have the opportunity to join the LBGTUA+ community, either joining like-minded people or simply to help them build a better school where all students feel home. For inner strength and confidence to be built it is important to respect other students. Having the opportunity to discover new cultures and beliefs during your time as a student, you have to respect both yourself and others to make the best out of your time at Warwick University.

"Freedom ends where another person's freedom begins" John Stuart Mill

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

In my previous blog (click here to read it), I mentioned that I had to leave UK due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I also told that I had the complete support of WMG to do so. Actually, they were the ones that suggested me and all the WMG student community that if we would like to go back home, we count with them. In a matter of hours, WMG generated me an approval of absence in case I had any trouble at the airports. One day before leaving the UK, I had an online meeting with the academic and industrial supervisors of my dissertation project. In that meeting, I told them I was leaving and that I wanted to keep in touch regularly using Microsoft Teams. Both supervisors agreed.

Once in Costa Rica, I had my first follow up meeting with them. Thanks to the Office 365 license that the University of Warwick provides to the students during our studies we have OneDrive storage in the cloud and a linkage to schedule meeting through Microsoft Teams using Outlook. Teams offers screen sharing, online chat, groups making, etc. The quality of video and audio cause no problems but that also depends on the internet bandwidth that would you have in your house or in the place you are joining to the meetings. According to Microsoft, with 500 kbps is enough for a decent peer-to-peer video call and 1Mbps for a group video call (click here for more bandwidth details). In my case, I have a bit more than those requirements and I am doing fine. There are several options online to check your internet speed, I used speedtest.net but there are others, or you could call your internet provider.

Thus, I am using it for video conferences to have an active follow up with my supervisors and share the updates of my dissertation project. In the upcoming weeks, we will keep using Teams to have our biweekly meetings. They seemed satisfied with my progress regardless of my change of location. My goal is to prove them that even though I am on another continent I can perform as I did during the months I was in the UK or even better. Being surrounded by my family is a huge motivator in these times difficult times of uncertainty due to coronavirus. At the end of April, I will have online the last module of my course called Machine Intelligence and Data Science and I couldn't be more excited to find out how it will be delivered. The fact that everything will be online from now on this year is something that no one of us as students nor staff expected. However, we have to face it and try to make the most of it. I thank WMG to give us the facilities to be able to keep our masters in the best way possible considering the circumstances. Hopefully, the COVID-19 outbreak will be controlled in some weeks or months and things will come back to normal.

Braulio Solano

MSc Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Dissertation Deadline

The clock was winding down, weeks turned into days, and days turned into hours and hours turned into minutes! December 18^th was mutually agreed upon by my dissertation supervisor and myself, as the deadline for the first draft of my MSc project.

Owing to extraordinarily poor time management and an ill-timed writer’s block on my behalf, I suddenly found myself with 3 days left till my deadline and very little to show for it. I was now faced with the unenviable task of producing 4’000 words in just 3 days.

Desperate moments call for drastic measures, and in that moment decided to take a drastic step. I was far from convinced that sheer willpower alone could inspire me to write a lengthy and intelligible academic draft worth submitting to an academic mentor. I needed some external pressure to galvanize my efforts, and so I put a plan together.

I picked up the phone and called a friend of mine studying at Leeds University, and we hatched a plan fit for purpose. We bought two tickets to watch Manchester United play Colchester football club at Old Trafford Stadium, later on in the day of my deadline. Therefore, if I missed my deadline I would also likely miss out on watching the game. However, if I had miraculously completed my draft in time for the deadline a trip to watch football royalty, would be the perfect way to celebrate.

So there I sat, channeling my inner Sylvester Stallone and embarking on my very own Rocky-like comeback. Procrastination had proved to be my ‘Clubber Lang’, and here I was in the Postgraduate area of the library racing to produce a decent piece of work, much like Rocky Balboa had raced down the beachfront alongside former nemesis in Rocky III, Apollo Creed.

I put in 14-hour days, and I ate and slept at the library, but I got the job done! 4’000 words in 3 days, it always seems impossible until it’s done! By the morning of the 18 December, I was absolutely exhausted by the time I clicked the submit button, but I had done what I set out to do, and I was proud. I took the 12X bus to Pool Meadow Station and took the National Express to Manchester and later on that day, I would sit at the Stretford End of Old Trafford, and watch Manchester United batter Colchester by 3 goals to nil! This was light work for them. I’m glad they had it easy, cause I didn’t!

The blog post will serve as a throwback to better times. In light of current circumstances transpiring across the world, I find that reminiscing about good memories and great friends gives me a much-needed dose of ‘cheering up’. So please, cheer up with me.

Just over 6 weeks ago, a few very close friends and I celebrated the end of a very hectic academic period by meeting for dinner at Las Iguanas Restaurant in Coventry City Center. Las Iguanas is a Latin American restaurant that specializes in authentic Mexican, Brazilian and Latin American cuisine and the perfect ambience for a group of friends reuniting after times of great academic duress.

Reggaeton classics such as Daddy Yankee’s ‘Despacito’ and Enrique Iglesias’ ‘Bailando’ blaring in the background an the familiar chatter of friends who hadn’t seen one another in ages, proved very therapeutic for an overwhelmed Master’s student like myself. Frequently getting in touch with friends worked wonders in several ways. I’ll give you three reasons why.

Firstly, laughter is the best medicine. Even a 30-minute session watching your favorite comedian’s Netflix special does not compare to a good old laugh with friends. When you are a student far from home, like me, you need a sense of family away from home.

Secondly, it helps to know that you’re not alone. It is therefore not surprising how therapeutic a conversation about common challenges can be. It can also help calm the jitters that come with pursuing a rigorous degree from a prestigious university. The saying ‘common solutions and approaches to common challenges’, has never rang truer, in my experience. The truth is, the solidarity that comes with shared stories from fellow postgraduates provides a support system.

Thirdly, your presence also helps bring calm to others. In other words, your presence may indeed serve a gift to others. By bringing your best and authentic self to interactions with your peers, it helps others.

Karabelo Maloi - MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IAE)

This period of time presents us with a once (hopefully!!) in a lifetime opportunity to look at our world and lives through different lenses. There has never been a time in my life where I have had to remain in my home for such an extended period and I’m determined to make it a learning experience. Below are some of my quarantine musings. 

Our World

Initially, when I first learned of the outbreak of the coronavirus, I was not very worried. I was sad that persons were being affected, but I wasn’t overly bothered about the safety of my loved ones and myself. But that changed quickly! The outbreak has become a pandemic. Why? Because we’re all interconnected. The world is one. It is quite simple to only focus on our immediate circumstances and forget everything else that is happening, but this is an experience which drives home the fact that I should never be unconcerned about my fellow humans.

 Even further, it is amazing how the entire order of the world has changed. The persons who are usually unseen and taken for granted are the ones who are our heroes. The nurses, sanitation workers and shelf stockers are at the forefront of the fight! We should all find ways to consistently celebrate these individuals moving forward!

My Colleagues

Being at University is amazing because you connect with persons and you see them quite regularly which makes bonding easier. However, when you leave Uni your closest friends may end up on various continents and in different time zones. Keeping the relationship alive would then be a greater challenge. However, this has been flipped on its head! I still have approximately five more months before my MSc. is completed, yet I wouldn’t be seeing my friends. This is an opportunity for me to practice and perfect keeping relationships alive regardless of distance. It is more difficult. But I am sure it will be worth it! 

wmg, Warwick

I am not aware of what other Universities are doing for their students during this time. But I must say, I feel happy, supported and content with wmg and Warwick. From the beginning of the outbreak until present day, we have been receiving constant and timely progress reports without it becoming overwhelming. Extensions were graciously given, and every effort is being made to ensure quality content is still being delivered. I really appreciate it! 

Difficult times are made more manageable with the right support system! Thankfully I belong to such a system here at Warwick!

Don't forget to look outside even if you're in quarantine!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

A few blogs ago I wrote about how to recover after receiving a disappointing grade. Guess what has happened since? 

I. Have. Been. On. A. Roll!

I have managed to score three consecutive A’s on the Post Module Assessments (PMAs) since then. You should print and frame that blog because clearly, I know what I’m talking about. Maybe I should leave Cyber Security and get into motivational speaking (writing?)! Sadly though, this blog is not to gloat about my achievements. Because I have encountered a new problem: ‘Success paralysis’. The more common term is fear of failure.

Let me explain.

Initially, my approach to this MSc. was to do the best I can because Cyber Security was a new field for me. I wasn't too worried about my grades. However, this approach has led me to success. Which is now weighing heavily on me. You would think it would be the opposite, wouldn’t you? Don’t get me wrong. I’m exceedingly happy and grateful for the grades I have gotten to date, but these serve as evidence that I’m able to get these results. This now makes it difficult to just do my best without hoping for distinctions and I am finding this paralysing. 

How can I return to the valley after knowing how exhilarating it is to be on the mountaintop?

As you can see, my focus has shifted from ‘enjoying the journey’ and ‘trusting the process’ to fixating on a very specific destination. This is not a healthy place to be and it does not help me to reach my full potential. So how have I unhindered myself from these doubts and fears in order to fully engage with my work again?

A shift of focus.

I chose to study Cyber Security because I found it interesting and exciting! I needed to get back to that! Focus on the subject area! Focus on developing my skill! Focus on learning. I love learning. This change in focus has helped me. Honestly, I do not know how well I will do in this current PMA because it was exceedingly challenging. But honestly, I have learned much, and I really did enjoy doing it. This is the mindset I need to ensure I keep.

It is not only our failures we need to manage well but our successes too. Success can be a great encourager and motivator, or it may be a paralysing force. Will you allow your successes to keep you from enjoying the journey or will you allow them to catapult you to greater things?

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

If weeks ago, someone had told me that I would have to return to my home country in the middle of my MSc studies, I wouldn’t have believed it. Well… Here I am in Costa Rica.

Since the end of 2019, there was news about a novel virus that was infecting people in China. At the beginning of January, I was taking the Automotive Sensors and Sensor Fusion module and I remember seeing my Asian friends really concern about their families. When I asked them, some of them told me that their families were in danger because a virus that was spreading in the Hubei province of China. In a matter of days, there were thousands of people infected. However, we saw it as something that happens there and that wouldn’t affect us in Europe.

At the end of January, I was taking the Technology Management module. I remember that I read that the coronavirus was spreading to other provinces in China, I started to get scared. In February, I forgot completely about the coronavirus because the whole month I was focused on doing the 2 back-to-back PMAs.

The last week of February, I managed to arrange my time to make a 3 day trip to Madrid (follow this link to see my blog about that quick trip). One day during my trip, I met with some friends that were living there and they told me that Madrid already had a couple of cases. Right after that, I read that Italy had thousands already. Suddenly, I wanted to be in Coventry as soon as possible to feel safer.

In the first 2 weeks of March, we had the Networks and Communications for the Connected Car module. Everything was relatively normal. At the end of the module, there were hundreds of cases in the UK.

The same Friday the module finished, March 13th, WMG sent us an email informing us that from that moment on, everything was going to be online to minimize the exposition. In the same email, they recommended us to stay self-isolated. By that moment the government hadn’t applied mandatory measurements. Actually, WMG took well-timed measurements before other universities. Next Monday, March 16th, they told us by email that if we would like to return to our home countries, we will count with their support. Also, they told us that we won’t have the project "vivas" this year (oral presentation of the dissertation). That meant that I didn't have any face-to-face obligations to stay in the UK. In that week, I decided to get everything ready and buy the sooner tickets to came back to Costa Rica.

WMG was really supportive in a moment full of uncertainty in which I felt that everything was falling down. WMG gave their approval of absence for me to leave the UK without any visa problems. I get tickets were for the upcoming Saturday, March 21st. The feeling of leaving the UK under those circumstances was sweet and sour. In one hand, I was going back to my country to be safer with my family. In the other hand, I had a lot of plans for my remaining time in the UK. The airport vibes were strange, empty lounges, closed stores and restaurants, people with masks everywhere, empty flights, a sense of fear in the air, people walking as far as they could from their peers. I won’t lie, I have never taken flights being that scared in my life. You may think that an empty plain is nice, but it's actually scaring. The fact that only Costa Ricans can take flights to Costa Rica was shocking because what it represents, the severity of the situation worldwide.

Life is about decisions, and I took mine. Whether it was the right or the wrong one, only the time will determine it. By now, this is my first blog post from Costa Rica. From now on, I will be here, finishing what I started, aiming to conclude this MSc in the best way possible, keeping up the good marks and developing a great dissertation project.

Braulio Solano

MSc Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

On one of my previous blog posts, I talked a bit about the structure of the modules and PMAs (click here to see it). Some of the most important things I mentioned were self-organization and time management. If you do it right, you will have the chance to write your PMAs no matter where. In my case, I went for some days to Spain. Something to take into consideration is that there is an institutional restriction that says that we can exit the country while our studies up to 14 days (or 10 working days) without any problem nor authorization. However, if there is a need for a longer absence you might need special approval from the programme management at the university.

I miss a lot my country, Costa Rica, and a friend of mine was coming to Europe, not but to the UK. He was going to Spain and I realised that his dates in Europe coincided with a week when I wasn't in a module. That meant that I could exit the UK for a couple of days without any trouble.

I flew to Madrid from the airport of Birmingham (BHX), which is 10 minutes away by train from Coventry’s train station. Due to my PMA responsibilities, I knew that I couldn’t have 3 completely free days, so what I did was that I bring my computer with me and in the time I was not knowing places or walking in the city I was able to write a bit of it. The time before departing the airport, a couple of hours after breakfast and some hours at night allowed me to have free time to spend with my friend as well. We got to meet the Santiago Bernabeu, the “Puerta de Alcala”, the “Gran Via”, and other beautiful places.

The flexibility that this module structure provides is great, but you must learn how to manage wisely your time. You cannot risk a submission deadline because of a trip. If you decide to travel and know new places, you can do what I did or you can try to finish early your assignments to travel freely and relax knowing that you don’t have to carry your computer. The airport of Birmingham is very convenient for national and international flights. Again, it is a matter of management of the time and balance the workloads.

Braulio Solano

MSc Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Even though I won't be able to go back to the classroom or hang out with my friends at the Dirty Duck, I smile because memories are the one thing that can't be taken away from us. Going back home, without even being able to say goodbye to my friends in person feels really weird, but I'm forever grateful with life for giving methe opportunity to meet amazing people during my studies at the University of Warwick. Being able to make friends from almost every continent, each one with a different story and a different dream is not something you can easily forget about.

The University of Warwick provides students with a very international environment. Today I can say that I have friends from Malaysia, India, Bolivia, Chile, Kenya, Taiwan, England, Poland, Ghana, Iran, USA, and the list goes on. This diversity made my student experience very interesting. We were always learning from each other and supporting each other, because even though we all came from different places, we were there for the common goal of making the most of our masters studies.

Moreover, being away from home could be difficult sometimes, but having someone to talk to or to share a coffee with made it so much easier. Celebrating a birthday, visiting a new restaurant, sharing a Christmas dinner, dancing until our feet hurt, going to the library until the clock stroke midnight … these were all unique and valuable experiences.

It should be noted that all the gatherings and activities organized by WMG also represented a great opportunity to meet other students; from the ITSO socials to the activities at the PG Hub, there was always a new chance to expand your social network. And even if there is nobody from your home country at Uni, like in my case, some of the people you meet will certainly make you feel at home. Thank you, guys.

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

And suddenly, I’m back home, exactly six months after arriving at the University of Warwick. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason, and there must be a good one behind this situation we are currently living: a pandemic… yes, I never thought I would be using this word in my whole life, but here we are, trying to write PMAs and a dissertation in times of uncertainty, fear and chaos. Being home makes me feel safe, but it is very difficult to stay focused with Uni work while being constantly reminded that the outcomes of this new virus are and will be very negative, not only for the economy, but for every aspect of the society.

There are two roads to take in times like this: let the situation take control of you or take control of the situation. For a one year MSc you better choose option two; otherwise all the effort would have been for nothing. I highly recommend that you focus on your studies. This will not only help you achieve your goals, but will also take your mind off from the overwhelming environment. In my case, most of my classes were postponed, so I am working very hard on my dissertation. In addition, I recommed to stick to a daily routine, so that you can make the most of every day at home. For example, try to wake up at the same time every day, practice meal prep, work from 9 to 5 as if you were attending a lectures week, make some room for exercise and relax. As the Persian adage says:

this too shall pass.

Hopefully, things will get better soon, so stay home, stay safe, but stay focused. Make the most of your time at home, so that when we are all able to go out again, you will not be stuck with a pile of work because you preferred to let the situation take control of you.

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

Teamworking is a crucial part of being a student in WMG, more precisely when studying e-BM or any other masters. Not only is teamworking part of the deal for graduation, but also very important, when on the job market, later on. Let’s dig deeper into what is teamworking and what it takes to be successful.

Many articles are available on the internet such as Harvard Review and other similar websites writing about teamwork. Very rarely does articles dig deep into concrete problems that may occur along the way when working with other people. In fact, many skills are required ranging from public speaking (clear and concise points), mastering the subject, leadership, listening, giving guidelines and doing the actual task required, all these sets of skills are necessary when sharing a task in a group and problems to be avoided.

Someone may have a clear idea of what to do in a given task, however not being able to transfer his/her knowledge properly may result in the whole group to be penalised, not benefiting from your full potential. As a result of poor public speaking skills, teamwork demands anyone to be flexible and aware of everyone’s own limitations. One skill which is often overlooked is having confidence and trust in the people operating together, as when everyone trusts each other, the first obstacle is easily passed.

Sharing a task and doing the work, requires a good understanding of everyone’s own abilities, however, easily disrupted when someone willingly play a role of an authoritarian decision-maker, avoiding certain people to speak their mind. In a situation of not being able to speak, commonalty has to be sought as well as common approval. The next problem that may soon occur is the need to be very clear when making a point as understanding may differ from one person to another. If something is unclear, people may be losing understanding and trust. Awareness and patience are both often overlooked but most of the time crucial in any given situation.

The world we live in demands leaders, people to speak their minds openly, however shy introverts with good ideas and opinions are often silenced for whatever reason, which is why a true leader needs to seek in a friendly manner the approval of all the members. Only if the team works towards the same goal will it be successful. Communication is, therefore, the key to solving problems. Being open with one another without losing to much time may be a small gain later down the road. Working solo in teams has to result in sharing at some point, it may not be the right thing to do. Respect and working as a group to act in the best of each ability will always win.

TLDR: Remember patience to be crucial, trusting people around you, making your points very clear at the beginning and try to seek the approval of the group and everyone to speak their mind. As Baden Powell said: “Be prepared, open your eyes, do your best”

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re all keeping well during this confusing and surreal time.

It takes a bit of getting used to, no doubt. Most of our daily routines have changed completely and we’re sat at home trying to readjust to our, hopefully short, new reality. The University of Warwick has really helped me feel a bit more at ease by constantly sending updates of the progress taking place to aid our education going further.

I’m here in Edinburgh at the moment and I’ve been finding it a bit difficult to adapt to these changes. However, I’m trying to be as understanding as possible with myself that these are some really strange times.

Thankfully, WMG has been really understanding and empathetic with its staff and students. I’ve received emails from my personal tutor, numerous professors and other faculty members offering various kinds of support during this period. WMG even extended our deadlines for this month with the aim of helping students cope with this transition.

Whilst it is so important to stay mindful of your surroundings now and self-isolate as much as possible, you shouldn’t forget to do things that will help your mental and physical health too. I, for one, have been taking walks (cautiously) every day to get some fresh air and be outside in nature. It has really helped me feel less overwhelmed and even proved to be better for my “work” mindset.

I want to extend my gratitude to the university staff for all of their hard work during this time. Thank you, for not only putting in the time and effort to help us students with our education and wellbeing, but for doing so despite going through the same difficult time as us.

Stay safe and take care, everyone!!

Check in soon x

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

Lately, a lot of my mind has been consumed by the fact we are now 6 months into our Postgraduate courses. 6 months! I just keep asking the question, how is it March? How does tomorrow mark the end of Week 10 and in turn, Term Two? Time is flying by; Christmas feels like an eternity but also a week ago. One deadline after another has meant that 2020, has been the busiest year of my life but also the most rewarding. Every PMA submitted and grade received is just bringing us all closer and closer to gaining our MSc qualification from WMG. Considering this, I would like to reflect on all I have learned and how things have changed in the last six months.

The people, first and foremost, have made my experience to date. From classmates, to lecturers, new friends from various departments and my CMD Club gang, I am lucky to have interacted with the brightest, funniest and most caring bunch. Having lived in London for the last 5 years, the University of Warwick has restored my faith in how kind and welcoming a community of strangers can be. They are not lying when they say this is an international University, there literally are people here from every corner of the globe and somehow, everyone seems to have made this little part of the world their own. I firmly believe this is because of the people they have met and the friendships they have formed. There is never a dull moment and always someone wanting to catch up over coffee (or wine!)

The gym and club facilities at Warwick are state of the art. I have never been as fit as I am now as a result of the various gym classes and activities available to me as a member of the gym on campus. I have restored my love of exercise as my training is so varied. There is never a dull work out session because of the choice. I started to enjoy being constantly active again, like I did when I was younger. The convenience and the volume of classes means there is always something of interest going on, no matter the time of the day you choose to work out. What’s better is, when I have time, the sauna and steam room are there to relax in afterwards. Win win situation!

Going back to education was extremely daunting as having been working for a few years, I had totally forgot how to research and write an essay. How was I going to concentrate all day in class? How would I know how to structure an essay? Would I enjoy studying again? Funnily enough, the last six months from a learning perspective have surpassed any expectations I ever had of what this experience would be. Learning and engaging in classes again, whilst having weeks off to do assignment and structure my days and weeks as I so please, has been the most liberating feeling. I feel like I have taken control of my time again, as opposed to being on someone else 9-6pm working clock where I never ever felt like I had a second for myself.

I am so excited to see what the next few months bring, although having a dissertation lingering over my head that really needs to be cracked on with is making me feel like the finish line is a long way off. No doubt when July/August comes I will be saying the same thing – where has the time gone!

Since I got here, I have been amazed by the facilities and the lecturers that WMG has for my course. We count with lecture rooms and laboratories in several locations around campus. Besides, the lecturers that I had to have for my modules are all PhDs from all over the world: Malta, Italy, India, UK, France, South Africa and some other countries. All of them have been amazing lecturers that brought us a global view of what each of us is studying and I consider that it is something valuable that enrich the learning process. Also, they are always willing to attend any doubts, questions or comments we have.

In the SCAV course we are only 14 full-time students. The fact that we are that few students make the classes kind of personalized keeping always the pace of the whole group.

Regarding the facilities that are used in the SCAV course, we have a lot of resources. There are teaching laptops with licensed and full-version programs needed for practices and laboratories of the modules of Robust Automotive Embedded Systems and Automotive Sensors and Sensor Fusion. In another module called Networks Communications for Connected Cars we got to use laboratories at the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) for 5G and GNSS practices. Another amazing facility WMG has is the 3Dx simulator where there is a 360-degree projector that allows running simulations for testing real cars’ advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving features among other experiments by the research group of Intelligent Vehicles.

When we are not in laboratory practices, we receive lectures in one of the following buildings, the IMC, the MEC and the IDL. We received lectures in computer rooms for the programming modules, for others we used a conference room and for others, we were assigned to a big room. That’s another advantage of the small group of SCAV, we fit everywhere.

Lastly, we have syndicate spaces where we can work in groups and there are other spaces as the IDL Mezzanine where we can have meetings with supervisors or just sit with friends to have a chat.

March 2020

This is a question most of us ask when we start our masters studies. Actually, none of us know what the future is holding for us. What I can tell you from experience is that the University of Warwick does provide you with the tools to shape your future. For instance, there is a Careers Service Centre at the Students Union, where you can obtain lots of information regarding current job opportunities. Moreover, they provide guidance on important topics like managing your linked in account and writing your CV. They will also help you with developing skills for your further professional experience through multiple workshops and events. Not only that, WMG has dedicated careers support. They also host events and networking opportunities especially for WMG MSc students, including industrial visits to companies.

Talking about events, these take place many times throughout the year. For example, two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend Future Fest, which took place at the Lord Bhattacharya Building. This was an event organised by the WMG careers team! Multiple companies, like Airbus, put up their stands and provided useful information regarding graduate programmes, for example. This was certainly a great opportunity for networking. You may find below some pictures from this event.

I highly recommend the participation on these events and the use of the WMG and the university’s careers' services, since the more connections you acquire and the most skills you develop the better.

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

Tired of having frozen pizza for lunch and dinner? Then this post is for you.

It can be exhausting having to cook every day, especially when you have a full week of lectures and seminars from 9 to 6, but the good news is that there are plenty of options on campus to choose from when it comes to food. My favourite is Café Library because the library is where I spend most of my time and it is very convenient having everything in the same place. Talking about the library, there is also a Starbucks with the much needed dose of caffeine we are all willing to take in a stressful day.

Other cafés can be found at the Students Union building, like Curiositea, which has a very nice decoration and really good cakes. And very close to it, in the Rootes Building, is the Pret a Manger, from which I recommend the almond croissants and the latte! Moreover, in the same building there is Bar Fusion, which serves Asian food and they even have takeaway available. This place is really good for lunch (especially the chicken burger) and very affordable.

If you are looking for a place to dine and have some drinks with your friends, then go and visit The Dirty Duck, which is the local pub located at the Students Union Building (pro-tip: they have acoustic nights, just check their Instagram account for the dates). Another similar option is the Terrace Bar, which has a very pretty balcony where you can share affordable drinks with your friends.

For those who follow a healthy diet, especially plant-based, there is Canopy located at the Students Union building. They specialise on pizzas and healthy food. And there is also Café Nero, located at the Sports & Wellness Hub, with multiple tasty and healthy options.

Other options, especially for WMG students, are NAIC and Pitstop. The latter is located at the IMC building, where most of WMG lectures and seminars take place.

Finally, there is a food market every 2 Wednesdays at the Piazza, with a variety of options to choose from, including burgers, brownies, fries, thai food, among others. And believe me, these are all amazing. You may find some pictures from the last food market below. Hope you have enjoyed reading this post and contact me for any foodie recommendations!

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

Hey guys!

Happy International Women’s Day!!

Such a day is so important as it reminds us of the necessary fight we all take against injustice of any form so that all of us can have an equal shot at living the best lives we possibly can. Here, at Warwick University, students are given the space and freedom to come together to join such a fight. One of the ways students do this is by joining specific societies.

When I first came here, I joined the Warwick Women’s Careers Society (WWCS) and, later, became their Postgraduate Representative. This society is led by women with the aim of empowering all women across campus by increasing the awareness of special career opportunities out there for them. We have joined the fight to break the glass ceiling and given women the push to enter their chosen career paths. We do this by planning various events, workshops, mentorship schemes, networking events and many more with a number of our sponsors, such as Accenture and Unilever.

Recently, we hosted our annual Warwick Women’s Summit for the second time ever on the 1^st of March. We take great pride in this event as it is the first student-led women’s summit in the whole of the UK! The Women’s Summit came to life in 2019 as a collaboration between societies to bring the power of sisterhood to campus. We believe supporting each other can be a catalyst for change – and that celebration of the past is the best way to empower the future. It was a day full of panels and workshops with inspirational women from different sectors and backgrounds. I left the summit feeling so inspired, empowered and acknowledged by all the amazing women around me. One of the best parts about this event was that part of the proceeds went to Women for Women International and Project Baala – projects in place supporting women all over the world.

It is so clear that there is a sense of sisterhood and women empowerment on campus. By proactively joining such societies, it is almost impossible not to feel it. All of us deserve the right to live our lives with our most honest selves.

I hope you have the most beautiful day filled with love, encouragement and inspiration. Don’t forget to spread some kindness to everyone around you.

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

Linking to a previous blog post on Time Management, I thought it would be useful to discuss the many ways to manage your money whilst being a student. Whether your money is from personal finances, student loans or family, most of us do not have a bottomless pit of resources to pull from. For this reason, there a number of things you can do to ensure you do not overspend whilst still living comfortably and hopefully also, have fun.

Set yourself a budget! Work out how much you have to spend for the remaining year, how much you can afford to spend a month, a week or even daily. This way, you have a clear target. Ensure your budget is realistic, how much are you going to spend on food? Do you have any bills to include, phone bill, Netflix, Spotify etc? Do you need to spend money on travel? How much coffee allowance are you giving yourself? (Guilty!) Are you going with friends, what is your social budget? All of these questions need to be answered in order to ensure your budget is an informed, rounded number that includes all of the things you are going to need to spend money on plus the things you are going to want to spend on. Being aware of your money and your spending is the first step to taking control over it.

The want vs need is unfortunately an ongoing battle, a bit like having an angel and devil on your shoulder. I want to get an uber, but I should get the bus. I want to get a takeaway, but I am going to use the food in my fridge. I want to go out, but I am going out next week so I’m not going to this week. It is a constant conversation with yourself which does require discipline. But with discipline comes rewards and that is how you must talk to yourself. If I cook my food at home all week, I will treat myself at the weekend etc. Campus has a lot of cheaper alternatives if you want to eat out without it being too costly. Your Warwick Student Card also gets you 10% off most places on campus if you top it up and use it to pay meaning the SU can be a great alternative to Leaming / Coventry if you are on a budget.

A weekly shop is undoubtedly the best way to save money on food. Bringing your lunch to campus/class/the library with you will save the daily expense of eating out. Similarly, for dinner, I find batch cooking to be really helpful. Whatever I cook for dinner, I try to ensure there is enough left over to have for lunch the next day. There are microwaves located all over campus, so you do not have to have sandwich’s or cold food every day. This has been so helpful as Tesco and especially Aldi, have great weekly offers and low cost prices to benefit from. If you are a WMG student you also get free coffee, which is a great way to save £3/6 a day!

If your budget is successful, reward yourself. Buy the top, book the flight, go on the night out. It can’t be all restricted and sometimes you need to say to hell with it. But finding that balance is crucial as a year without working can be a long time when it comes to expenses.

I hope you have found this helpful!

Leah

MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management

‘It’s not what you know. It’s who you know!’

I was at odds with that statement for a long time. I didn’t believe it and I disagreed with the principle behind it. Surely, if I worked hard and qualified myself, that should be all that matters? However, I have come to realise, whether I agreed or disagreed, this is the way the world functions. I need to be connected to the right people in order for all my skills to be utilised and for me to make the most of the professional world. So, this year I was intentional in learning more about networking and developing my networking ability. This blog briefly highlights lessons I’m learning in the art of networking.

Time Investment is Required

I thought ‘networking’ involved attending an event, having a chat with someone, giving them a business card or collecting their LinkedIn details and that was the end. But, think about this: How many times have you scrolled down your social media feed and see an update from someone, and you cannot remember where you met the individual? This leads to the conclusion that this method of networking would not be effective and sustainable. 

Good networks are like good relationships. They require time investment. So, after meeting someone you need to follow up on the initial meeting.

You have Value

Do you think networking means approaching someone ‘powerful’ or ‘in a privileged position’ in order to receive something from them (immediately or within the near future)? That was my point of view, which I am working on changing.

If you present yourself as a problem solver you make yourself more memorable to the individual you’re meeting because most persons would not be doing this. Most persons would be there to receive.

However, to present yourself as a problem solver, you need to believe and know that you possess the skills required to bring about change. This can only be achieved if you do research before the initial meeting and invest in your own personal development.

Colleagues Now; Changemakers Tomorrow

Where will I be in 5 years? Where will my colleagues be in 10 years? We have aspirations but we do not know. What I do know is that I’m at a world-class university surrounded by brilliant ambitious people. This leads to the logical conclusion that I’m currently studying alongside some of the changemakers, leaders and policymakers of the future. So, why not practice and hone my networking skills with the colleagues who I encounter on a regular basis?

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

When joining Warwick University for a master programme one ingredient often overlooked is the creativity required, not only to answer tricky PMA’s (Post-module assessments) but also in your day to day life when making choices. Recently joining in a group to play a tabletop game, it reminded me of the creativity needed to create that game in the first place but it also reminded me of my own creativity when writing PMA’s, inventing companies, making assumptions on problems to be solved, all through my own observations or real-life experiences.

The board game I joined, was meant to collect diamonds through wandering the streets of Istanbul, collecting fruits, silk, salt and gems. Through selling and buying goods, as well as gambling with the dices, diamonds are being collected. In fact, 5 diamonds are required to win the game. Many tabletop games will offer the possibility to play with one character, in this case, releasing your cousin from jail will make sure you win the game faster, as he/she would do some business on your behalf. The game lasts for approximately an hour and a half, giving you enough time to experience the various possibilities of what the game will offer you. As you probably noticed, storytelling wins it all. As for this board game, meant to share a story from the past, not only German citizens (target market of the board game) will buy it but anyone will be told and educated learning from what a culture has to offer through a good old story.

Story-telling is the new inbound marketing strategy according to me. Why? People want a good story when they buy something in order to tell their friends and families about something they really enjoy. People will eventually buy your customer experience, not the brand itself. Everyone is somehow gifted with unique experiences, but being able to translate previous observations into a written assignment will give it more weight. Writing a PMA and inventing things, will change the difficult task into a fun one, where new areas of your brain will be sought out. Generally speaking, to connect with readers on a larger scale, you’ve got to tell your story.

When joining Warwick University for a master programme, remember to wire your brain for creativity. Using your creativity is a useful task as it will help you in your everyday life as well. Remember your childhood when you were sent to bed doing that task all children hate, namely going to sleep. You were usually offered the possibility for a good story, this either from a book or invented by a parent. Well, all difficult things in life are being smoothened with a good old story being told.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Record Scratch, freeze frame! It’s the 14^th of February, and you have just endured three consecutive seminar weeks jam-packed with classes all starting bright and early at 9am, and ending dark and late at 6.30pm every day. Your head is in your hands and you’re in a heap of exhaustion! What would you do? Head straight home for a well-deserved night’s rest? NEVER! Make a beeline for Birmingham International Airport and jump on the next flight to the Scottish wonderland they call Edinburgh? OH YEAH!

Thanks again to one of my favourite establishments on campus, World at Warwick; a 3-day trip to Edinburgh was offered to University of Warwick students at a bargain price! So simply put, was I going to miss out on a chance to visit one of the most beautiful cities on the planet for next to nothing? Not in a million years!

The trip began with a coach trip departing from the University of Warwick at 6.30 am scheduled to arrive in Edinburgh at 2pm. I unfortunately missed this coach in order to attend class on that day, but still managed to find a very cheap fight ticket to Edinburgh for later on the day, after my classes ended. Thanks EasyJet!

So there I was, touch down in the city of Edinburgh! Having never been to the city of Edinburgh, the friends I travelled with and I, got lost in the Scottish capital. After an hour and a half of wandering around the city, we finally found our way to the hostel where all the Warwick students were booked in. We all sat down for a quick chat and bantered the night away.

The next two days were absolutely magical. We kicked off Saturday by embarking on a treacherous hike up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. We had to contend with muddy slopes and near-gale force winds to reach the summit, and we achieved this! Next up, was the much acclaimed Calton Hill, with attractions like Nelson Monument and the Dugald Steward. A sight to see, I would recommend making the trip to anyone visiting Edinburgh. The wet and rainy day was then concluded with a buffet at a local eatery in Edinburgh (all included in the ticket)! Our last day was spent soaking in the sun and exploring Dean Village and walking around the city centre.

Edinburgh was truly one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen, and I will undoubtedly go back soon!

Karabelo Maloi - MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Hey guys!

Today, I thought I would talk to you about job opportunities.

Here at Warwick, it is not uncommon to hear about a careers fair almost every month. Whether it is organised by WMG, WBS or the university in general, there are always opportunities for students to network with potential employers. Being a part of societies also broadens this!

I am the Postgraduate Representative of the Warwick Women’s Careers Society and joining such a great community of people has been one of my best decisions here thus far. An amazing thing about this society is the connections it builds with reputable companies. One of particular interest to me is Accenture. Recently, Accenture organised a ‘Warwick Trek Event’ where they gave students the chance to visit their London office for a day and get involved in a competition case study. It was such an insightful experience. I got the chance to connect with their staff who were really friendly and shared with me their experiences of working in the company. They also gave me tips on how to navigate through the application process, which I found to be really helpful. Moreover, Accenture made an appearance at Warwick today to conduct a similar case-study session. This was equally as advantageous!

Apart from that, WMG hosted its well-anticipated Future Fest this week. They invited numerous companies to come by, provided some delicious food and even gave students the opportunity to take a professional Linked In photo for free! Hundreds of students attended the event and met with some interesting companies.

Clearly, there’s always an opportunity to meet with employers on campus. Even if there isn’t a fair, often times, societies plan collaborative events with companies which they open to society members and, at times, even the general student body. Additionally, you may come across company stands in the Student Union building when you least expect it. I remember running into KPMG and Newton Consulting’s representative there.

How great is this?!

I hope that after reading this blog, you keep an eye out for all of these amazing opportunities on campus. You should definitely make the most of them whilst you can. I never realised how much knowledge I could gain from these events until I actually began attending them.

Feel free to drop me any messages on LinkedIn (Katrina Gomez) or Instagram (@katmgomez) if you’d ever like to ask me any questions related to my blogs!

Have a great weekend, guys!

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

I’ve always believed that the role of higher education institutions extends far beyond the transactional conferral of a degree in exchange for tuition fees paid. In my view, universities ought to strive to go far beyond the call of duty and empower students with the networks and the industry links needed to make oneself employable. My name is Karabelo, and I am glad to say that on the 27^th February 2020, I witnessed the University of Warwick’s WMG Department do exactly this!

The occasion was Future Fest; a Careers Fair that was held exclusively for WMG students. The venue was the one of WMG’s grandiose and picturesque buildings, the Prof Lord Bhattacharya Building. Some of the most recognizable companies in the world were represented at branded stalls where students were encouraged to walk up to company staff and inquire about post-study career opportunities. Corporate heavyweights such as Rolls Royce, Hermes and Airbus were all in attendance. Most companies promoted their graduate schemes, internships and other career opportunities.

In addition to all the companies that showcased their offerings to students, WMG went even further in their quest to enhance the employability of their students. There was a specially commissioned photographer providing students with the chance to take studio-quality professional photographs for their LinkedIn profiles, for free. Present were also dedicated career advisors onsite that reviewed student LinkedIn profiles, and gave actionable advice about how to build one’s personal brand in the digital age.

Don’t worry, there was something for the entrepreneurs dreaming of being the next Elon Musk as well! There was a designated area dedicated entirely to initiatives at the university that support student entrepreneurs and innovators. Warwick Enterprise and the various incubators were all present to raise awareness about the great work they do, and the opportunities available to student entrepreneurs on campus. There was even a stall with university employees that provided information about the University’s sponsorship program for students seeking to remain in the UK to develop innovative and scalable business ideas (Tier 1 Visa).

Karabelo Maloi - MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Studying in the UK as an international student can be quite the challenge. As a master’s student, there will be classes, seminars, tutorials, exams, PMA’s and a thesis. It is not easy; however, incredibly rewarding and an amazing experience. Being away from home, friends and family can make you feel out of your comfort zone. It’s important to find a group or social circle at university to support you and make new friends. Joining a club or society at Warwick can make the process of meeting new people easier. There are many reasons to become involved on campus!

I highly recommend being active on the campus community. There are so many ways to get involved and meet people from all over the wold. There is something for everyone to do. As long as you make the effort then be prepared to have a great experience at Warwick. Personally, I joined the swim team. Warwick has a club for every sport you can imagine so there is one for you. Don’t worry about being the best athlete, the clubs have several different levels so everyone is welcome to join and be a part of the group. If you have always wanted to learn something new, this is a great way to do it. I did not swim a lot before I came to Warwick but I had always wanted to. I look forward to training days as I enjoy the sport but most importantly the social aspect of seeing my friends in the club. Not only are there sports clubs but also a variety of societies student can join. I can guarantee there is something for everyone here at Warwick. Get involved to pursue a hobby you are passionate about or learn something new. Joining a club or society can also provide an outlet for stress, keep your mind off course work and take time for yourself.

Here are a few benefits of joining a club or society:

· Exposure! By joining a club or society you will meet people from all over the world with different diverse backgrounds, culture, languages, views and personalities. It is a great way to learn more about the world and broaden your thinking.

· One of the best ways to meet people. Being a member of a club or society can help you overcome the biggest challenge of finding that new social circle or support community. A lot of the organizations do many socials throughout the year. Be an active member to learn something new or continue something you enjoy and you will bond with other students while having fun along the way. The friendships you make could last a lifetime. I know from personal experience I have and I can’t wait to see where we end up.

· Learn something new and grow as a person. Learning something new is a great way to gain knowledge and skills to see personal development. Discover something new and your passion while experimenting in new hobbies.

Overall – my best advice for you is when you come to Warwick – be active and get involved to have one ever lasting experience.

I consider myself overwhelming lucky to be a student within wmg at the University of Warwick! That statement was not made because I’m a blogger for wmg, but because the experiences I’m having here I did not factor in when choosing a University. I mainly considered the accreditation of the Cyber Security Engineering programme and Warwick’s ranking. Even though I got lucky and (unintentionally) ended up in a university where the academic and extra-curricular environments are incredible, I urge you to be a bit more thorough than I was when considering a University!

I did exhaustive and systematic searches to inform my choice of course. This is necessary and the most important aspect of choosing a University. However, it is not the only aspect of selecting a place where you’ll be spending the next year of your life. 

Think about it. You are choosing where you want to be for a year. Not often we are given such choices. So, ensure you choose well.

After I arrived at wmg, I realised I was experiencing some things that I did not consider, could not think to consider and were not possible to consider from only viewing the University’s website. Three of these are listed below.

Support! Support! Support!

What would be the point of attending a university with amazing teaching and research components, but insufficient academic support available to you? Before this year, I would have said support does not matter. I would have also said it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they find ways to grasp the content. However, the departmental specific support which is available within wmg is incredible! I have made use of the academic workshops, drop-in question and answer sessions and the one-to-one advice meetings and they have all been helpful. 

World at Warwick Trips

Being in a new country there is often pressure to make full use of the opportunity by travelling and experiencing new things. However, travel can be quite expensive, time-consuming and daunting to plan. This is why ‘World at Warwick’ is such an ingenious service. They offer trips for Warwick students at hugely discounted rates. So, all I have to do is book my ticket well in advance (they usually sell out quickly); turn up (on time) and have fun! No headache of where to go and how to get there!

Edinburgh viewed from Calton Hill (Photo taken during a World at Warwick Trip)

wmg Society

wmg strives to cultivate a ‘sense of belonging and wellbeing’. It is quite simple to get lost in the academic rigour of coursework and neglect yourself and isolate yourself from other people. So various activities, such as ice skating, free breakfast among others, are organised by the wmg Society to get us active and social!

In conclusion, to ensure you make the best choice of university this is my advice:

• Begin your research on the academic strengths of the course of study
• Research the extracurricular opportunities that would be available to you
• Browse blogs/ vlogs to hear from the students’ perspectives
• If possible, chat with students who attend the university and hear their experiences. Not everything can be captured on a website or you may not even know what to consider.

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

There is a lot of advice given to new international students when they arrive at Warwick. One of the best takeaways for me was to get know my classmates. I know I have made lifelong friends with them. After our fourth module we already started planning the first reunion. I am fortunate as my class is a fairly small size cohort. This can be relative to the course you opt to enroll in and class sizes vary each year. My course has 18 full time and 6 part time students. Therefore, it is a bit easier to become familiar with everyone as we stick together for each module. Nevertheless, there are still many reasons why you should get to know your classmates.

When I came to Warwick, WMG had induction sessions for each master’s cohort. This is mot likely the first opportunity to meet a majority of your classmates in one place. It may be intimidating at first but introduce your-self to other students. There is a good chance your classmates are hoping to meet other students as well. The induction sessions are a great opportunity to meet classmates before modules begin.

Reach out to classmates online before coming to Warwick. Before I came to the UK, I joined the WMG fulltime masters Facebook page. It was a great community to connect with master students enrolled in other courses. Another way is to befriend people online like Facebook or Instagram. In my experience, a lot of students connect via these two platforms to be able contact one another.

Introduce yourself to other students in class. Don’t directly head to the back of the class by yourself or sit in the section of empty seats. Find someone you have not met yet and introduce yourself. On contrary, if you do have friends in the class and see someone new, invite them to sit with you. There are so many benefits to knowing your classmates. Here are a few that come to my mind:

· If you are not understanding or struggling with the class material, a classmate is the perfect person to help you comprehend. They can help you fill in the gaps and make the best tutors!

· Obviously you cannot work together on your PMA’s and turn in the same work – that’s a very bad idea. However, you can study together, compare notes and run ideas past each other.

· Classmates also provide a lot of support. While family and friends back home do as well, it is nice to have people who are going through the same thing you are. It makes things a little easier to speak with someone who can relate.

Befriending your classmates can greatly benefit your education but overall enhance your experience at Warwick. Talk to the other students near you, participate in class and support others when you can. Additionally, don’t just talk when you see each other during class. Invite your classmates to meet outside the classroom. You will make friendships that last a lifetime.

Homesickness is a universal longing for one’s home, despite how close or far away that home might be. It comes in many forms and many things can trigger the dreaded feeling. A familiar accent, a passer by wearing your mother’s perfume, a longing for a warm hug or simply feeling like you are alone in a sea of people. When the pang hits, everything is suddenly too overwhelming to bare, and you convince yourself the only thing that could possibly make you feel better would be to be sat on your couch at home. Home as a concept, is different for each individual and since coming to Warwick I have realised the true extend of how different it can be.

Asking someone where they are from, has led to some of the most interestingly eye opening conversations I have ever had the pleasure of having. Based on people’s appearance, so many presumptions are made before you speak to someone. More often than not they are totally, totally incorrect. Very quickly into the year I learnt how little appearance has to do with where a person is from, or where they must consider home. This might seem obvious and is of course a very ignorant approach, but the brain is lazy and will jump to conclusions based on previous encounters. Just because someone is from a certain country, does not mean that is where they consider home to be, where they grew up, or where their families are now. Home for most, seems to be associated to their loved ones. From grandparents, to parents, friends and siblings, people’s idea of ‘home’ can even be a place they have never lived themselves, but it is always where they long to be.

The longing feeling, that makes your heart ache and eyes well up is an inner pining for familiarity in a sea of change. With great change comes great possibility and nothing ever grew tall standing still. Do you remember the feeling of growing pains when you were younger, where your back hurt and legs ached uncontrollably? Homesickness is the same thing, you are growing, but the pains moved to your heart. Joining sports clubs and societies that you are interested in, socialising at student and course events and putting yourself out there to talk to new people will ease the pain of feeling like everyone around you is a stranger. Building relationships and forming friendships is the best way out of feeling alone because I promise you, everyone is going through the same thing. Warwick has students from every corner of the globe who are all just trying to make this little part of the world their own.

We live in a world that is so connected, yet statistics show we have never felt more alone. Although putting yourself out to the world is a scary thing to do, I promise human contact, real human interaction, is the best medicine for your homesickness. Remember, the feeling will pass, time will move on, and you will be home again before you know it.

Personally, I think being homesick is just reconfirming how brave you are. Some people never see the world, because they are too afraid to feel it.

You got this!

Leah

Hey guys!

I hope you have been having a great February so far.

During this time of year, most of us are already halfway through our masters. I know right! How fast is time flying?! 

With so many of our courses passing us by, the weight of our assignments and workload have been feeling a little heavy lately. I, for one, have been feeling like I have to fight for time to catch a breath and relax for a bit. But, having been here at Warwick for almost 5 months now, I am happy to say that I have settled into a routine that allows me to live a more balanced life. One significant component to maintaining this balance lies in the hands of the new sports and wellness hub here at Warwick.

Often when I do not have class and need a space to study, I go to the cafe at the sports hub. It has delicious coffee that never fails to put me in a deep study mode. Whether you like to sit in comfy chairs and chat or isolate yourself on a barstool doing some work, it has a place for everyone. Personally, I love sitting on the bar stools overlooking the swimming pool. There’s something serene about it. The best thing, though, about this cafe is its close proximity to the gym. 

Whenever I’m working and start to feel the stress and anxiety creeping up on me, I pull myself away from my laptop and head up to the gym for an exhilarating workout. The gym at the new sports hub is so well equipped for almost any workout you’d like to do. Nothing gets my stresses out more than using the TRX and ropes. 

Even if the gym isn’t the place for you, the sports hub is home to a very impressive bouldering and climbing platform. I’ve had a go at it once and I can’t wait to go back again soon! 

It is so important to find these things that help you relieve your stress and allow you to feel so much better than you did before. I’ve found that after a workout, I am able to focus on my work a lot more with a clear head. I know so many people say that too but I never knew how true it was until I experienced it by myself. I’ve been able to control my anxiety in a more proactive way than ever before too. I consider going to the gym as my personal time. It allows me to have a more balanced life in the midst of all the hustle and bustle that comes with having a Masters education. 

If you’re ever on campus, I recommend you check out the hub!! It’s a great place to be. 

I hope you enjoyed this read! Keep your eye out for the next one coming soon :)

Bye for now!

Katrina.  

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

This has been a highlight of my year thus far. It’s crazy to think that last year, I was working behind the scenes as the Director of Events to bring this conference to life. And a year later, there I was with the ex-Secretary of the Society attending as delegates and being offered the opportunity to soak in the full experience in its entirety.

Wow.

Well, before I get into what this experience meant to me, let me briefly explain what the Warwick Africa Summit is. (Let’s see if I can remember my well memorised paragraph, haha.) Warwick Africa Summit is a student-led conference which occurs over the span of two days intending to provoke insightful and impactful discussions about the continent amongst students and speakers alike. These speakers are invited from all parts of the continent to share the plethora of knowledge they’ve developed as experts in their field with past speakers including, the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osibanjo as well as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J.Mohammed.

Alright so basically, it’s a huge event that offers huge opportunities for networking and truthfully just learning. Being in a room where the atmosphere for ideation is thick and palpable, honestly motivates you to want to do more, to serve more and to witness Africa as a continent rise because - we can. My favourite part of the entire experience was feeling confident enough to speak to people who inspired me.

So during the first panel titled,’Ready, Set, Green: Our Resources and Sustainability’, I really enjoyed listening to Wunmi Ogunde, (a Warwick-alum!) speak. She is the Founder and CEO of Ecoprune Africa, a social enterprise tackling waste pollution through recycling. I admired the way she carried herself and offered realistic and practical advice as to how she has been able to get to where she is right now. I also could relate to her clear ideology for a circular economy whereby through shared ideas, talents and support - we are able to address the issues prevalent in and around Africa.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak to her one-on-one towards the end of the Summit and furthermore get asked to take a picture with her. She represents the sort of women who inspire me, who through their own gifts and passions, see a need and seek to address it. Female Entrepreneurship continues to inspire me and so being able to witness someone who has been successful in their field motivates me to work smarter to do the same for myself and better yet, serve the people I intend to serve.

I would highly recommend events like the Summit to anyone looking to embark on an experience at Warwick. They not only place you in powerfully positive environments but also offer opportunities beyond the walls of the event. For example, I am a proud beneficiary of the WMG Warwick Africa Summit scholarship which helped me finalise my decision to begin my journey at WMG!

Overall, the Summit was honestly incredible. Though I only attended for one day, through meaningful conversations and being reunited with various members of the executive committee who I had worked alongside with last year, I left feeling accomplished knowing I had used my time effectively.

Learn more about Warwick Africa Summit and their amazing outreach programme here.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

A few months ago, I was feeling the exploration blues. One of my favourite things to do is roam, to look for new places to visit and new things to learn. Coventry is in the West Midlands and I won’t deny it - at times I do struggle to find interesting things to do. Birmingham is only 20 mins away but you know when you’ve been somewhere enough times and you just want to explore somewhere entirely new? Well, thus began my search for places in and around the West Midlands which might tickle my fancy.

Stratford-upon-Avon was continuously flagged up during my search. As home to one of the greats, it was no wonder why it was always suggested to me. So I decided to take the plunge and se what this town had to offer. I was accompanied by an amazing friend of mine whom I knew would geek out as much as I was going to! We both studied very arts-based subjects back at school and seem to always get lost in admiration for the incredible things we learnt and skills we gained through an appreciation of the arts.

We began our trip by visiting the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. As proud Nigerians, we were inspired by how intentional they’d been in preserving his history and legacy and wanted to see more of this done in our country. It’s still so crazy to think I actually stood in the room where he was born, where he grew up. Would they have ever thought that in another century visitors would come from all over the world to see their home? Legacy is a powerful thing. The entire trip had me reflecting on what I want to leave behind, what I’d like to be remembered by, how I want to make an impact in at least one life. It left me feeling inspired, because my story is still being shaped and every day I wake up is an opportunity to leave the world a little better than it was before. Through a “soft touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring” (Buscaglia); through these seemingly ‘little’ things I intend to leave a space better than it was before. I intend to put my all into the gifts that have been placed in my care and to glorify my Maker who gave them to me.

After our awe-inspiring time at the Birthplace Trust, we voyaged on to the Stratford Butterfly Farm. I became acquainted with a specific butterfly who seemed to be obsessed with my braids and again we were left feeling inspired. Not only is the lifespan of a butterfly a beautiful story of patience, but after having a conversation with one the employees, it was amazing to see how one person’s passion can transcend, and create a whole community of like-minded individuals, working towards protecting this species and educating the masses on the importance of it.

Throughout my WMG experience, I’ve felt my passions become more and more defined and refined. I’ve been able to articulate to myself first and foremost, where I feel my passions lie, what my ‘niche’ is and what it is I want to do and how I intend to do it. I’ve been able to separate my ‘monetising talents’ from my ‘hobbies.’ I’ve also been able to appreciate that I am not stuck in a box. We are all multifaceted human beings who should feel free to exercise our passions at various moments in time, to have them refined and to add to our bank of life lessons.

I crave more outings like this one and hope I am able to appreciate more of what the West Midlands has to offer in the near future.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Back in November, I went for one of WMG’s industrial visits. Industrial Visits offer invaluable experiences to learn more about a specific business or area of industry and I couldn’t pass up the chance to learn a bit more about the powerhouse company that is Apple.

The theme behind our trip was App Development. We were given the opportunity to learn about the process behind creating a successful app and what’s more - were given the freedom and space to create our own prototypes.

This is one of my favourite aspects of the entire WMG experience - the fact that we are constantly encouraged to do rather than theorise. We are consistently fed with practical tips and by engaging in this way, I’m finding that I’m learning so much within such a limited space of time! You see, I come from a legal background whereby the ‘doing’ was very much something you’d have to seek yourself. As much as I became accustomed to the theory-based approach during my undergrad years, I’ve found how powerful it is to have a healthy balance. I’m also encouraged to witness that how I learn changes and it’s exciting to accommodate these new methods.

Back to the visit - so after hearing some success stories, the ball was in our court. Through following a few key steps, we were encouraged to firstly decide what our app would be and who we’d be creating it for. My team and I decided upon an events-based app focusing on elevating the experience of searching for a venue for corporate events. This was particularly useful for me as I run an events company and the whole process helped me to think wider, to appreciate how technology can help facilitate the streamlining of any business process.

A few presentations later, we all left feeling quite inspired. For me, it was proof that our dreams and goals are within reach. I was able to see how placing yourself in specific environments like these, can aid creativity, collaboration and eventual execution.

I am grateful for my WMG experience, it’s opening my eyes and ears to possibilities I never thought of previously!

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

I am Costa Rican, a tiny country in Central America. Due to our proximity to the equator, we do not have 4 seasons as other countries do. We only have 2 seasons, rainy and sunny season. As you can imagine, in the rainy season it rains a lot and in the sunny season, we have a great sunny weather. The UK, well the UK weather is interesting. It rains, a lot and sometimes you have a bit of sun followed by rain again and suddenly sun again. Even in winter, we have had beautiful sunny days where the temperature rises up to 15°C. But in a matter of a day, it came back to 2°C mornings. This has been a challenge for a Costa Rican that the colder temperature that usually handles in his country is 16° in the coldest night of the year. Also, the day duration depending on the season was completely new for me. Back in my country, we had 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night almost every day of every month. When I arrived in September to the UK, it was really cool having some natural light up to 8:30 pm but in December we had the shortest day length of fewer than 8 hours. Usually the months of November, December and January you will be in classes during those few hours of daylight, but the modules last usually between 1 and 2 weeks, so don´t worry, you will still see the sunlight. I remember that those months I and my friends used to go for a walk during lunchtime to enjoy a bit of it.

The spring and summer are now around the corner. In a few months, the days will be longer again, and the temperature will rise. But I have some “firsts” these past months:

It was the first time I witnessed the transition from summer to fall and from fall to winter.

It was the first time I saw trees turning yellow and red, I was amazing.

It was the first time I saw the leaves and the grass dawn frozen.

It was the first time I saw sunsets at 4 pm.

You might think that manage UK weather is impossible but if I could do it, everybody can. In case you feel you cannot, the wellbeing services, friends and tutors are there to help you cope with it.

Braulio Solano

MSc Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

The course structure could be a bit confusing that's why I'll do my best to explain it from my personal-SCAV perspective. I remember that I didn't have it clear at the moment I arrived to Warwick. I'd read about it but I didn't understand it completely. I had been into different academic modalities such as semesters, quarters, but never into a module modality as WMG does. The WMG course structure consists of taking intensive modules that could last between 1 and 2 weeks, which usually have In-Module Assignments, known as IMAs, followed by a Post-Module Assignment, known as PMA. Then, the next module starts and so on.

In the beginning, I found it hard to digest. We receive all the content of a module in just 1 or 2 weeks and then, between modules, I felt with a lot of free time. I didn't find the balance nor the purpose of it. When the second module started, and then the third, and so on, I realized that this system is really interesting. The time during the module is hard but the fact of having to care about one subject at the time is great. You focus all your energy and attention into making the most of the module, receiving lectures directly related to the current module every day of the module-weeks. This particular year, in some of the modules of my course (SCAV), we had some guess lectures from people from the industry. That allowed us to enhance the learning of the content of the modules by understanding and analysing cases of study and real applications of what we were learning. During some module, you might have IMAs. These are assignments that you have to do within the module-week and could be (but not limited to) presentations, group works, in-module tests, etc. Right after the end of the module-week, the PMA takes place. As soon as you see it, you know you will be entertained for the upcoming weeks. The way you devote your time is completely up to you. That means that you have to be smart to meet the deadlines. The best to manage your time is knowing yourself, for example, I know that I can't work in the same place every day, I get bored and my productivity decreases. Therefore, I try to work on my PMAs from different places. Since I live off-campus, sometimes I rather stay in my apartment in Coventry, as other days I prefer to go to campus, so I just take the bus and go to the library or the PGHub at the uni. Lately, I discovered that writing my PMAs in coffee shops is working really well for me. As you can see in the pictures below, coffee is always a partner. My point is, wherever you feel productive is a good place to write PMAs. After the second module, I found my own balance. 

You can find more information regarding the modules of your courses and the course structure that WMG implements clicking here. There is a cool video that explains how WMG courses work.

Braulio Solano - MSc in Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles aka SCAV

A master at Warwick University in the WMG department is about emotion and time management. Some other bloggers in this section will tell you the same, to manage your time wisely. However, that does not mean you do not have time for fun. A fun time is carefully using breaks between lessons being held intensively during the day in a week, maximum of two weeks to the start of the so-called “PMA” week. Once your lesson is over you may have to deal with writing your PMA in a week where you have lessons but to have a smooth transition it is recommended to take some time off, as to put aside what has happened in a week focusing on what lays ahead. Time is flying which is why time management is crucial to have a healthy body and mind.

Studying a master programme in the WMG department is, in fact, the best preparation either for a career or for a PhD. The best preparation for your PhD is the writing of your dissertation and the search for a topic. The topic of a dissertation is the first step towards a PhD eventually as all the tricks used are going to be expanded in three years. On the other hand, a master programme in the WMG department is also preparing you for a career as time management is also a crucial element on the work floor.

Speaking of time management and work, there is enough time for you to enjoy and have some fun time as well. If time is well managed and deadlines mastered, you will use those fun times as small gratifications to keep yourself energised not losing sight on the long term goal being the graduation. As we are in February I am still amazed by the power of new meetings having the ability to leverage an overwhelming feeling of joy. Communication is the reason humans are still alive on the planet as we all learn from each other to move forward in all our lives.

The story I would like to share with you is the opportunity I had to watch a football game in the brand new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium knowing it has always been my childhood dream. It all started by meeting a person who shared the same passion for supporting Tottenham Hotspur. As he had a ticket for the match to which he could not attend, he sold me the ticket which eventually led me to tick that box of watching a live football match. Once in the stadium I had a free seat next to me which was eventually filled by someone I met, ending this journey on a high as sharing an experience with someone is always better than being alone.

“And then you have people whom you meet for half a second, probably won’t meet ever after, but who might just change your life forever” V. Hugo

The experience of being in a stadium and experience a crowd where almost everyone is expecting and desires the same outcome is life-changing. I have to admit to me being recharged for the next weeks and challenges ahead. Short trips in the transition period are a perfect break between lessons and self-study.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

A lot of my fellow bloggers have discussed the structure of Taught Masters courses at WMG, but I felt it would be beneficial to discuss how I manage my time and how to get the best out of the somewhat unconventional teaching structure.

Rather than having multiple classes on different subjects a week spread out over a full term, WMG teaches one module in full from 9-am to 6:30pm over the course of five days. After the module, your Post Module Assignment is due somewhere between 3 – 5 weeks after the module depending on the time of year. In theory, this is all very doable. However, you will have another module during the time you are expected to me working on your PMA which means time management is crucial in order to meet your deadlines. I have created habits, that allow me to have most weekends off and I have never had to stay up all night or rush to meet a deadline yet, five modules into the year.

During the weeks you do not have class, do not treat this as having ‘free time.’ Don’t get me wrong, when you have class all week it is difficult to do it all; to see your friends, go to the doctors or the bank, keep on top of your washing or get your hair cut for example. When you do not have class, this is the time to organise your life administration in advance of your next module week. However, this must be factored around your day. I treat my weeks of free class like a working day, I am in the library 9-6pm or 10-7pm researching and working on my PMA. I factor in time to have coffee dates with my friends, I take an hour to go to an appointment if necessary, I also schedule time to meet my supervisor during these weeks but I do not, stay in bed all day watching Netflix.

In order to have free weekends, to have time to review your submissions and get a second opinion, as well as get your 8 hours of sleep in and hopefully keep up an exercise routine, I cannot stress enough the importance of organisation. It is very easy to slip into a cycle of last minute, rushed, anxiety fuelled routines as there is no one here to tell you what to do. Your tutors, supervisors and WMG academic staff are not going to manage your timetable outside of module time. They are not going to give out to you for a late submission, tell you when to wake up or sit you down for a reality check. Your health is your wealth and when it comes to your mental health, the less pressure you place on yourself by procrastinating and putting off what needs to be done the better you will feel.

Don’t get me wrong we all have bad days, when I can’t concentrate and I just do not want to do anything, I am kind to myself. I will take that Tuesday off and make up for it on the weekend by working on a Saturday or Sunday in order to ensure I am top of my work. We need to listen to our bodies, take a break when you need to but most importantly, just keep going. Not every day is going to be your most productive but the crucial thing is that you keep working so you can enjoy life outside of studying. Time management is key. Give it a go and I promise, you will feel so much better for it!

Leah

As an international student it can be somewhat overwhelming to make the move to study in the UK. The “To Do” list can become quite extensive in terms of items to accomplish. Additionally, there is a lot of information to process at the beginning. Fear not as nearly a third of all students at the University of Warwick are from outside the UK. Consequently, there are many resources available to help during your transition. Along with resources, Warwick offers many opportunities to explore different cultures and have an unforgettable international experience. Here are my suggestions for preparing for university and to explore the endless opportunities.

I highly recommend investigating the World at Warwick website. They have a lot of information on their website. Currently, there is a section on the website that has information for current/new international students. There are many frequently asked questions from students categorized into topics with links to help answer the question(s). For example, several categories are Healthcare, Culture Shock/Homesickness, Banking and Money, Transportation, Administrative/Settling In and several others.

The website also provides a link to the student immigration service website. The immigration service website at Warwick contains all the information you will need as an international student to apply for a visa, Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS), course registration and enrolment, and acquiring your BRP card. I personally used the information on the website when I applied for my Tier 4 Visa. There was a step-by-step guidance form on the website when I applied that walked you through the application. It also covers the costs of a Tier 4 Visa and the health surcharge.

World at Warwick provides resources for cultural transitioning, homesickness and opening a UK bank account. It can be overwhelming adapting to a new culture and there will be cultural differences. There are resources to help international students overcome culture shock. One of the best highlights for me is learning about other individuals’ cultures and experience. Embrace and learn! Yes, you do have to open a UK bank account – it can be lengthy process in regards to scheduling an appointment. I highly recommend starting this process as early as possible.

My favorite offering from the World at Warwick is there Events and Trips page. Each year they offer day trips and potentially an overnight night to many cities across the UK. It is a great way to meet other students and explore the UK. Majority of them take place on Saturdays and are relatively inexpensive. I have attended almost all of the trips and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have traveled with flat mates and my classmates on these trips. I recommend gathering a friend or two and attend one of the trips!

All in all, check out the World at Warwick for all the resources and opportunities available for international students. This will help in your transition to university in the UK. It is a great way to prepare for experience at the University of Warwick and make the most of it.

Cheers,

Kyle  

Many people are wingeing and complaining, however, the EU on their behalf did not really reach their cruising speed in terms of a unified entity, yet did not provide Great Britain with the right arguments to stay. The EU and the UK to separate, you could call it a "divorce by mutual agreement", where none of the parties really desired a break-up, although both agreed on the necessity to move on their own way.

Taking the point of view of citizens on both sides of the channel, all this situation does not really make sense, as many will keep on traveling and may still be traveling through the channel in and out of the UK after the Brexit. Be it to travel by air or by train, differences will be observed in the aftermath, sadly for us all, to live and work through.

Being a half-empty person I tend to prepare myself for the worst meaning, in this case, to eventually ask the British citizenship. Alas, I did not want to see the reality, I prepared myself in case Brexit was going to be official. Having heard the likelihood for the Brexit to occur a pre-settlement application was required and eventually granted to me, giving me the right to temporarily leave the country for no more than 2 years. Having the right to stay until 2024, I will be able to ask for British citizenship in 2024 which in my opinion does not look to bad, after all.

Britain or England itself is facing many challenges be it the NHS, a better ecological footprint, sorting waste, strengthening the economy or elaborating new trade deals with the rest of the world. Staying in the EU for the UK was demanding as not every decision which was taken in Brussels suited England, bringing them to the difficult part, yet to be undertaken, to negotiate further relations with the EU. Citizens in the UK did not always understand the benefits of being in a Union, and will not see a huge difference, as long as the new partnership is properly negotiated.

Will many people come and work in the UK after the Brexit? Probably not as much as before. Considering the fact that other people might well be willing to join the UK, they will have to focus their attention on countries and blocks for which she lost contact with, namely the USA, Canada, Pakistan, China or even India.

The best is probably yet to come, let’s REMAIN positive!

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Brand New Year, Same Old Deadlines!

When studying at WMG and you have a module week just 5 days after New Year’s Day, the brand new year quickly turns into the same old deadlines. I was lucky enough to leave Coventry for a few days, and usher in the New Year in the beautiful city of Glasgow! This was the first time I had spent New Year’s Eve away from home, and it was magical! A few friends and I booked an SUV and went on a road-trip, passing through Rugby, Leeds and then finally Glasgow!

World At Warwick: Bath

I must say, there’s nothing quite like kicking off the new year with a deadline and a module in the first full week of 2020. To regain my sanity, I joined the World At Warwick trip to the devastatingly beautiful city of bath, on the 11^th January. While there, we visited the Roman Baths, the Crescent, Bathy Abbey, the Circus and the Pulteney Bridge. I also discovered that the city of Bath is named after the famous Roman Baths in the town. Talk about a fun fact!

World At Warwick: Cambridge

Next up was the following World at Warwick trip in January, and this was to the famous city of Cambridge. This was a massively popular trip, and tickets sold out in a matter of days! While I missed the official ticket sale, I was able to purchase a ticket in the resale market from a good friend of mine. And then just like that, yours truly was going to Cambridge!

So, how was the trip to Cambridge, you might ask? Let’s just say this, if the trip was a martini, it would have been two parts fun times, and one part cold! I say cold because that particular day was the coldest day I had ever experienced since my arrival into the United Kingdom. I was wearing standard issue insulated gloves, but I could still feel the cold in my bones!

The best thing about Cambridge was being able to visit a close friend of mine, who was now pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. This was special because the last we’d spoken, was over 13,000 kilometres away and over 480 days ago. Following lunch, my friend walked me around all the major sights to see around Cambridge and even showed me some of the colleges off limits to tourists!