International MBA (IMBA)
Graduated 2025
My story at BNU began with the April 2024 intake when I arrived from India to start my International MBA. Like many international students, I arrived with big dreams but faced the challenge of navigating a completely new culture. BNU quickly became the place where those dreams took shape. I am so proud to say that since graduating in August 2025, I have moved from the student desk to the front of the classroom as an Associate Lecturer at this very university: the place that first recognised my potential and gave me a platform to prove what I could do.
What are your memories of being a student at BNU?
When I think of BNU, I think of "peace". My days were a blur of part-time jobs, rushing to lectures, and balancing a busy schedule of assignments. It was exhausting, but the university was our sanctuary after a long day. We were all in the same boat: far from home, missing our families, and navigating a new world together. I’ll never forget the kindness of the teachers; they weren't just lecturers, they were mentors who noticed when we were tired and constantly motivated us to network and believe in ourselves.
What advice could you give to recent graduates who want to get ahead?
Don't be afraid of the "busy". Those long days where you juggle work and study are actually building the resilience you need for the real world. My best advice is to truly listen to your tutors when they suggest joining networking events to improve your skills. I was a stranger to this culture at the beginning, but networking turned strangers into a professional family.
How did your degree at BNU impact on your career?
It changed everything. It gave me the academic weight to be taken seriously and the confidence to lead. Winning the Coca-Cola Sustainability Competition as a team lead was a turning point for me. It proved that I could lead a diverse team to success, and that confidence is what eventually allowed me to step into my role as an Associate Lecturer.
Why did you join the course?
Coming from India, I knew I needed a global perspective to truly succeed in business. I chose the IMBA because I wanted to understand how different cultures and markets connect. I was looking for a challenge that combined strategy with real-world application, and BNU provided exactly that.
What aspects of your studies did you enjoy the most and why?
I loved the human connection and the chance to meet new people. At the beginning, every culture was new to me, but through my studies, I learned how to bridge those gaps and build lasting connections. I also deeply enjoyed the collaborative projects where we tackled real issues like sustainability: it felt like we were doing something that actually mattered.
Which parts of your student experience were the best preparation for your job?
The "hustle". Managing my time between my MBA and my role as a Store Manager for Cards for Good Causes was the best training I could have had. It taught me how to talk to people from all walks of life: from charity volunteers to the Mayor of Winchester. That balance of grit and communication is exactly what I now try to teach my own students.
What are your major careers milestones since completing your studies?
The biggest milestone was the day I was invited to join the BNU faculty as an Associate Lecturer. Another moment I hold close to my heart was hosting Mayor Russell Gordon-Smith of Winchester at a charity event while managing my store. We discussed the growth of local charities and community engagement, and in that moment, I realised how much I had grown since arriving in the UK.
What are your future ambitions?
I want to be the kind of lecturer who spots the "hidden potential" in students, just like my teachers did for me. My ambition is to keep growing within the BNU faculty and to continue finding ways to use business strategies to help local charities and communities thrive.
What advice would you give to a student considering the course or looking to get into a career in your sector?
Be open to everything from day one. When you arrive, especially as an international student, you might feel like an outsider, but the university is a place where you can find peace and purpose. Join every networking event, talk to everyone, and don't be afraid of the hard work. The university is a family that wants you to succeed, but you have to be the one to step through the door and take the opportunity.