Chidinma Helena Maduemezie

Chidinma is a MA Business Management student currently studying her Level 7 qualification at Newcastle College University Centre. Find out more about how her passion for business has brought from Nigeria to the North East.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, or anything you think is relevant?

I'm from Nigeria and I'm 29 years old. I did my BSc in Public Administration in Nigeria from Madonna University and I moved to Newcastle to further my knowledge of Business.

Why did you choose to study for a postgraduate degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

It was on the recommendation I got from my sister who also studied here. She told me about her course, outlining the curriculum and that gave me an insight into the benefits of studying here.

What was it about this course that made you want to study a Masters Degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

I already had an interest in Business. I loved having my own small-scale business, but I needed more. I wanted to have more knowledge to have a stronger understanding of business, which I have gained through studying this course. I've been able to build more knowledge and insight into how a business should grow through my studies.

What benefits do you think there are in studying a postgraduate degree Newcastle College University Centre?

Newcastle College University Centre is like a safe haven for international students. The staff are ready to listen to us and they make it easier for us.

When I got here from Nigeria I got in touch with the International Team and they assisted me. They helped me draw up a payment plan which was really helpful. When I told friends about this they’ve now started thinking of coming over to the UK.

What do you enjoy the most about your postgraduate degree?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience has been the opportunity to make meaningful connections and friendships with my lecturers and fellow students. When you come to a place that you are not familiar with, you can meet lots of different people from different backgrounds. They relate to you and are always ready to listen.

Tell us about how you have worked with industry whilst studying your degree (i.e. talks / live briefs / projects).

During Industry Week, we had lots of people coming in to talk to us about different businesses such as Greggs and Nissan. They told us about graduate opportunities and gave a talk about how businesses operate.

We also had other lessons on how to open your LinkedIn account and keep it up to date, as well as show to make our CVs stand out to employers.

Describe your student experience in three words

A safe place.