Do you want to study at SUNY, but still have questions about this international experience? Check out the interview with our student Shem Hubert.
1. How did you hear about IBS Americas?
I’ve heard about IBS Americas from my former University, University of Santo Tomas – Legazpi when I was in college. I saw their post a month after my graduation, containing details about the scholarship.
2. What motivated you to take a course abroad?
I felt challenged and at the same time was eager to go through the scholarship for self-development. Also, I always tend to do things that are beyond my comfort zone to be able to grow as a person/professional and I saw this study program as a huge opportunity.
3. What is your academic background and what were your expectations regarding the international program?
I graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and have worked with a construction management company for a year before attending the Competitive Project Management course at the University at Albany – State University of New York. I joined this course expecting to possess knowledge and have a broader idea of how management, in fact modern management, works. By modern management, I mean management engaging with different software and with the use of artificial intelligence. Given the expectations, I think it’s fair to say that the University didn’t disappoint and I’m looking forward on taking another program with IBS Americas, but hopefully in a different city.
4. How did you choose the course and the university? What were the decisive factors in your choice?
IBS Americas, in collaboration with SUNY offered a variety of courses and Competitive Project Management is one of them. I decided to take the course because upon reading details about it, I believed that it was related to my work and will truly be helpful for my career progression.
5. What were the main challenges you faced being in another country, with a different language and colleagues from various nationalities?
At first, I thought that language barrier would be truly challenging most specially that it’s just 2 of us Filipinos attending the program, and we were on different courses also so we didn’t interact that much, but it was not an issue at all. My colleagues had a great job of translating for me to be able to understand what they’re talking about, and we had fun teaching each other our local dialect. The intercultural experience was amazing as well. I think getting used to the freezing weather was the biggest challenge.
6. How do you evaluate the quality of education, infrastructure, and resources offered by the university?
The experience was truly amazing. With all the grounds mentioned, I can confidently say that it was a 10/10.
7. What were the main learnings and skills you developed throughout the course?
I think I developed more as a person after taking this wonderful opportunity. Attending a study program in New York City, interacting with great people, and connecting with different professionals have given me the confidence that I needed as I progress with my career. Of course, the technical skills also, I cannot mention all of them, but it was truly helpful. So as the soft skills that I tended to learn.
8. What places did you have the opportunity to visit during your free time?
My friends and I have explored the amazing city of Albany, and it was truly fun. From visiting tourist spots, to doing winter activities, watching basketball games, of course hitting the pubs and having some beers after class in the freezing weather. Definitely memories that I’d always look up to.
9. How were your experiences in lectures and company visits?
The lectures were good. Professors were truly helpful and they’re approachable too! Any advice that you may seek, professionally or even in life, they’ll be there. Company visits were fun, a great way to expand connections and do networking.
10. Were you able to expand your networking during the course? Could you share a bit about that experience?
Of course. Connecting with different professionals was one of my main goals attending the University’s program and so far, it had been great. Thankful and grateful for the connections and friends I met along the way.
11. How will this international experience impact your career?
So far it impacted on various ways, giving me the confidence, I aced an interview on one of the biggest companies in Singapore, so I just relocated. And those technical things and soft skills that I possessed as I take the scholarship, have been very useful on my daily basis at work.
12. What advice would you give to students and professionals who wish to take a course abroad with IBS Americas?
To each and every one of you who are willing to get out of your comfort zones and study overseas to progress as an individual or professional, IBS Americas is a great organization to engage with. They will truly be beneficial to you and your career. Trust them and you’ll have a fun time with different people/raise and experience different wonderful cultures while learning knowledgeable thoughts that you didn’t know you even needed!
Just wanted to extend my deepest thanks to Prof. Ricardo Britto and to IBS Americas. This experience is one of the things that I’d always look up to. Hope to see you all in the Gala in November or probably in Brazil, taking another course! God bless you all.
