Whitney Banyai-Becker
Whitney, from the US, is studying MSc International Development: Development Management at the University's Global Development Institute (GDI).
On my course
Compared to all the courses I looked at, this seemed like the best fit for my goals and had the balance of theoretical and practical skills I was looking for. I also found the university to be more student support-oriented than others and that was definitely important to me as an international student.
I'm in classes about 8-12 hours per week, depending on tutorials. However, I try to treat the week as a normal 9-5 job and maximise my studying during those times. There's also usually a few hours on the weekends devoted to studying and reading. It's definitely a demanding course.
So far, my highlight has been a series of lectures given by two guest lecturers that visited us from Kenya, from an organisation called Shack/Slum Dwellers International. It was incredibly rewarding for our learning to be supplemented by their lectures. It was much more exciting and engaging to be able to learn from face-to-face conversations with them, as opposed to reading about their experiences in articles.
On my scholarship
The scholarship application process was very straightforward. I appreciated the freedom to make the essay my own in that we were not restricted to a set of stereotypical application questions.
I felt so incredibly lucky when I learned I had received the scholarship. I had gone through another very competitive scholarship process to make it to the final two and be selected as an alternate, so I was feeling rather discouraged and sure this would not come through either. I was at home in California and had woken up in the middle of the night and saw the email. I was so happy; I woke my family to share the news!
Given the immense stress of the course as it is, I have felt so fortunate to not have the additional financial burden, or looming student debt, as well.
On life in Manchester
The city of Manchester and my course are so diverse. It has been amazing to get to know people from so many different places around the world.
I've really enjoyed living in a city with all the perks of great restaurants, bars and shops to explore, but still feeling like it is small enough to navigate and not too overwhelming.
I live in private accommodation with my partner about a 20-minute bus ride to campus. I've enjoyed it because I like having a little separation between my work and personal life. It's also allowed me to feel a part of the Manchester experience and not only the student experience. I've also explored different parts of the city that I likely wouldn't have if I lived on campus.
On the student experience
I've really enjoyed all the international aspects of my experience. It seems like everyone is from a different place, so I've just been trying to get to know as many different people as possible. Not to mention, trying food from all the great, diverse restaurants - like Tibetan food or South Indian street food.
I would say take advantage of all the support offered by the University. However daunting the visa process or moving process, I have always found the University's guidance to be informative and helpful. Similarly, people have always been more than happy to answer my random questions. Take advantage of all the events during Welcome Week; it definitely helps to meet people and start building a community as soon as possible.
On my future
I plan to find a job in international development and move to yet another country overseas. I'm not sure where, but I'm hoping that completing this course will help me be more competitive for future jobs. I have no doubt the course is definitely helping to prepare me for whatever type of job I find.