Samun Rasheed

Why did you choose to study your course – what or who inspired you?  

I am studying MSc International Management at the Lancaster campus; I started in January 2025. I have always been interested in how business operations are carried across the borders and how businesses work around such diverse cultural, political, and economic situations. My father has always been an inspiration for me as he has his own business in international logistics, which made me more curious about international business operations – this is why I decided to study an  International Management degree – I want to fully understand the leadership and international business operations efficiently and effectively more strategically. 

Why did you choose the University of Cumbria over other universities? 

The first and foremost reason to choose the University of Cumbria was their reputation globally; their career-oriented education system alongside their practical focus helped me a lot when making my decision. The University of Cumbria provides the best supportive environment to its students which is ideal for any student wanting to study peacefully. Their commitment to making their students prepared for the practical world, along with the high-quality education is what makes them stand out from other universities.  

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? 

As an international student from Pakistan, my major challenge was to make myself adapt to such a diverse cultural set up here along with a new and totally different academic environment in the UK. At first, I was hesitant to share my feelings with anyone, but then the University of Cumbria’s student support team came forward to help make us comfortable in every step. With the help of the student support team, I was able to overcome my challenges by participating in different class activities with my classmates. I also received great support from my tutors and effective communication from management teams. 

How have your tutors supported you during your studies?  

Everyone has been very kind and supportive throughout the course duration. They never made us feel like outsiders, we are always treated equally. The clear guidance and feedback from the tutors has been great, too - their continuous support through module assessments helped me stay motivated and I was able to understand my modules much better and grow with more confidence. 

How is university life beyond your studies? 

The life beyond university is an amazing experience. I am a part of the Business Society and actively take part in their sessions and events, recently we had a career fair in which different organisations took part and shared some great opportunities for us. This was a golden chance for us students to directly connect with major organisations. Apart from that, our class comprises of students from different countries and we are very socially active -- I have made great friendships with everyone in the class. We plan to go out every weekend to explore the beautiful city of Lancaster and this is how we have made a supportive family away from home. 

What would be your top tips for people thinking of doing the same course as you?

If you are planning to study International Management at the University of Cumbria, I would say you are about to experience the most amazing phase of your life as you will be networking with multicultural classmates from different cultural backgrounds that will not only enrich your learning experience but will also help you in personal development. Once you have started the course, you just have to set your routine in such a way that you can go out with your new friends and manage your study hours as well. Stay motivated and don’t be hesitant to ask for any sort of help as the academic support team is always there to help you.  

What advice or guidance do you have for people thinking about applying for university?

My advice for students applying to the University of Cumbria is to be confident to start the application and start applying early so the whole process is smoothly carried out and you don’t have to worry about anything. It is very important to calmly research your course of interest, and the location of the campus that fits best with your goals. If I could talk to my past self while applying for the admission, I would tell myself to be calm and confident - don’t overthink anything and go ahead with a positive mindset - the rest will fall into place. Good planning and a positive mindset are very important when making any decision. 

What are your plans for the future, and how is your course preparing you for your potential career?

The modules of International Management are helping me prepare for my practical life where I see myself managing international business operations very efficiently. I have got a clear understanding of how to strategically grow businesses across borders. I have seen visible improvement in my critical thinking skills which are an essential asset for any business. This course is also helping me to pursue managerial roles in multinational firms. 

What’s been the highlight of your time at university so far? 

The highlight of my university time academically was the presentation that we had to make in groups for one of our modules, which was a great learning experience for me working with students of different cultural backgrounds where everyone shared their expertise and skills. Personally, the best time is when we classmates sit together and share our past experiences and learning, this has helped us to communicate better and improve our language skills. 

Is there anything else that you’d like to add?   

I would like to add that I had a fear of being judged because I am a hijabi but not even once have I felt that I am an outsider as everyone is so accommodating and helpful. Everyone is treated equally here which has boosted my confidence and I have seen a drastic change in my personality. I would say if you have decided to be a part of the University of Cumbria then just sit back and relax as you are about to experience something amazing.