Paola Andrea Pantoja Gomez MSc Marketing Management, 2018
Colombian
The lecturers are knowledgeable and have a great deal of experience in the area, which makes lectures very interesting, as they can give us real-life examples of what we are learning.
Why did you choose to study at Southampton?
The University has a very good reputation around the world and it has an excellent position in the University rankings. This means that the quality of teaching is very high. Besides, the campus and facilities are well organised.
What is it like studying here?
Highfield campus has all the facilities that students need and it is very safe. It has shops, restaurants, a library, a gym with swimming pool and even bars. Therefore, we can have some time to relax after our lectures, and we have spaces to interact with other students. There are also several student societies that we can join and are a good way to meet people and enjoy our free time.
The lecturers are knowledgeable and have a great deal of experience in the area, which makes lectures very interesting, as they can give us real-life examples of what we are learning.
What are you enjoying most about your course?
I enjoy the fact that I am surrounded by students from different backgrounds e.g. different cultures and languages. This has made my experience even more interesting as I am able to get to know new cultures and to make connections with people all over the world.
Have you taken advantage of any extra opportunities outside of your course?
I have joined some meetings organised by my peer leaders. I often join the coffee morning which is a an event that occurs every two weeks in which we are able to meet students and staff and discuss about our experiences in Southampton.
What have been your Southampton 'highlights' so far?
I am a sporty person so I enjoy going to the gym and swimming pool. Besides, the Jubilee Sports Centre offers classes such as zumba and yoga, which I really appreciate as they are ways in which I can divert my mind from studies.
How has your time at Southampton helped you to grow as a person?
Apart from the fact that I have learnt quite a lot of new things about marketing, it has helped me to boost my confidence with the different activities that we have to develop. For example, the group work has helped me to enhance my communication, time-management and teamwork skills.
How do you rate study facilities at the University?
The University of Southampton has very high quality facilities. The classrooms are very well organised and all contain the right equipment for delivering the lessons e.g. computers, microphones. The library is huge and contains a large amount of books and journals, as well as spaces for students to study. Besides, there are some restaurants, bars and shops to purchase meals and snacks.
What is the city of Southampton like to live in?
Southampton's city centre has quite a lot of things to do e.g. it has cinemas, restaurants, shops etc. Also, there is a street close to Highfield campus in Portswood, which also has lots of cafes and restaurants. The night life in Southampton is interesting as well as it has a good number of clubs and bars with cheap prices.
What are your plans and/or ambitions after you graduate?
I am planning to find a job in the UK and gain some working experience before going back to my country. Once I go back to Colombia, I will work at my family's business focusing in the marketing department.
What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
Work hard from the beginning. Start doing your assignments as soon as possible and ask questions whenever you need to. Enjoy your time at Southampton, make a lot of friends and join a society.
Interested in studying our MSc Marketing Management degree? Visit our course page