International Odyssey: London School of Economics

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the London School of Economics (LSE) Summer School, studying a three week course on financial derivatives on a Global Short Program. In all honesty, I had made arrangements for this program well in advance and felt as if everything had happened quite suddenly by the time I was set to pack my bags.

Arriving in London a couple days prior to the course commencement, I had no idea what to expect. I made the journey to the other side of the world alone, albeit in the presence of a few of my cousins after I had arrived. Although I was in a country with many cultural and institutional similarities to Australia, to me, it was still unfamiliar territory. Eventually, registration time came around and I was able to meet my new classmates. The backgrounds of the students within my course varied dramatically from person to person. Some were like myself, second year students trying to broaden their horizons. Others were graduates from esteemed institutions such as Oxford University, looking to obtain new skills that they can apply within their ongoing careers. Spending time with my new peers was a useful networking opportunity, with many of them already having considerable knowledge and experience with respect to financial markets. The knowledge and expertise of my professors and tutors also reminded me of the fact that I was studying at one of the most well-respected business schools in the world.

Despite my course being quite difficult, maintaining a balance between study and leisure was quite achievable. The various social events held by LSE allowed me to connect with others from outside my course and meet even more new faces from around the world. For the duration of my stay overseas, I was able to form many new friendships which became the highlight of my trip. The social aspect of the course is one of the primary reasons I would recommend it to anyone else who is interested.

I was also able to take advantage of additional travel opportunities during my course and also afterwards. Visiting Cambridge and its historical university grounds was an amazing and eye-opening experience whilst also being a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of London. Travelling to Amsterdam for a short vacation after my studies was also a good experience to relax and sightsee around the beautiful canal city. All in all, I believe that my travels equipped me with a new sense of direction that will help guide me in my future prospects, both personally and professionally.

Suffice to say, my overall experience during my Global Short Program was one of amazement and accomplishment. It was definitely my most valuable overseas experience to date and shaped a new understanding I have of the world around me. I would most certainly recommend this Global Short Program to anyone who is even remotely interested.

Rahul Ramrakha
Bachelor of Business
London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal