Amanda participated in the January 2020 program, and learn more about the daily routine of our students at Pearson College London.
Which course did you choose? How was the first day of the program?
I took the Contemporary Topics in Business Strategy (CTBS) and the Business English courses. The first day of the program was incredible. Pearson is a very welcoming institution, we were welcomed with a great breakfast. After that, they took us to a campus tour at the university and explained the structure of the course (classes, school days, schedules, professors and company visits). In that same morning, we had our first CTBS class, with Professor Nigel Wood, on Strategic Innovation Management and in the afternoon, professors Sona Lisa Bone lectured the first class on Business English.
How was your routine during the week?
I made some friends in the 1st day of class, and I found out we were all staying in the same hotel. Therefore, we would go together to the subway station, stop at the supermarket and buy something to eat, like Pearson’s delicious hot chocolate, and then go to CTBS class, which started at 9am and ended at 12:30 pm. Then there was a lunch break and we returned for the Business English class, which lasted from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.
Something I found interesting at Pearson is that the classes were held from Monday to Thursday, and since they would often end at 4:30 pm, we always had enough time to incorporate London’s entertainment. When the classes were finished, as well as on weekends, we took this time to sightsee the cultural features of the city, and the numerous museums and art galleries.
Why did you choose to study at Pearson College London? What was your favorite thing in college?
I chose to study at Pearson College London because the university and the courses seemed to be very well structured. I was looking for an institution that would guide me for the business world, which is, after all, what rules the economy today. Besides, I thought that Pearson would be a great opportunity for growth due to the classroom’s routine, the didactic and the constant feedback given by the staff.
What I liked the most about the course was the content I learned. Besides, London is the largest business center in the world and it was amazing to be in touch with such a dynamic and hectic city. The experience I had with the foreign language, since all the readings, classes and presentations were in English, was also amazing and helped me to improve this skill. Last but not least, I also loved visiting the Hackmasters company.
What were the professors and classes like?
The professors were excellent, very qualified. They made dynamic and participatory classes, besides being always available. We had many practical activities, like debates and case studies.
In addition to the course, did you take the opportunity to visit other places of London or Europe? If so, what place did you like to visit the most?
I went to the London Eye, the River Cruise, the Winter Wonderland, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the Buckingham Palace, the Harry Potter Studio, the Little Venice, the Abbey Road and the Natural History Museum. The good thing about London is that the city offers a lot of free cultural leisure, so every day we went to different places without paying ANYTHING.
How was the graduation day?
Graduation was beautiful! A simple and solemn ceremony, held at Pearson, where they prepared a video with photos of students in class, during group meetings, among other remarkable moments. At the end, they called each student ahead to receive the certificate. Then, my group and I went out one last time to have fun. We went to Chinatown, a street all set in oriental culture, in the Soho neighborhood.
At the end of that experience, what do you believe was the most remarkable for you in the professional field? And what about the personal perspective?
In the professional field, what most impressed me was the knowledge obtained in the course that I’m being able to apply in my area, which is awesome, after all, business management is an essential requirement for any successful enterprise. In a law office, for example, methods of strategy and innovation are essential to retain and win new clients. A good lawyer is always updated and organized, generating a higher quality service for those it represents. The course was essential for me, as a new graduate, to learn how to innovate correctly in the legal market, after experiencing life in the largest business center in the world.
On a personal level, I learned a lot, but the most relevant was my ability to overcome the scenario of being for the first time in a different country, without parents or friends at the same time using a different language for everything. I had to deal with unforeseen situations and force myself to break the language barrier to get used to the dynamics of the city. I am extremely grateful for the experience!
And if you are reading this post and want to have a similar experience that Amanda had, click here and learn more about the courses available at the Pearson College London! Studying for three weeks in London, having contact with students from different countries, Ph.D. professors, as well as visiting companies in the region will provide you with an incredible personal and professional experience. Don’t miss this opportunity and sign up for the scholarship selective process. There are more than 1500 students per year that join IBS Americas’ partner institutions in the United States and Europe.