Alaa Mohammad Mustafa Alqudah Jordanian, due to graduate September 2018

PhD Management and Accounting

The academic staff provide great assistance and suggestions to improve student life and study. In terms of food requirement, I am looking for halal food and Southampton as a university or city offer many halal foods inside the campus or outside.

 

Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?

Indeed, different reasons have motivated me to choose University of Southampton as a target for my PhD. For example, the University of Southampton ranking, since its ranked in the top universities in the world, and its ranked in the top twenty universities in the U.K. secondly, the availability of different research groups at Southampton Business School specifically within the accounting department, in which offers vast variety of options to PhD researchers and very good research reputation for the academic staff in Southampton Business School. Thirdly, safety of the environment whether in the university campus or university halls.

Furthermore, the university offers separate office and the needed facilities for PhD students in compare with other universities so this encourages student to carry out their research in a secured comfortable environment.  

What do you enjoy the most about living in Southampton?

In terms of food requirement, I am looking for halal food and Southampton as a university or city offer many halal foods inside the campus or outside. Different restaurants have attracted me such as Uni-Kebab, Pepe’s, Aroma and others; these places offer very good food.

Some of my favourite places are the city centre, Sea City Museum and Southampton Common. Indeed, Southampton Common is a large open green space, where I spent most of my time during weekends, the common helps me to get rid of study pressure. However, my favourite is Isle of Wight. I invited my friend from Birmingham to visit this great island and I go their every 4-6 weeks to spent some time at Shanklin Hotel.

If you had any difficulties during your studies, how did you overcome them?

My two supervisors indeed help me when I face any problems in my study or in my life. They are my friends and they advise me to overcome any problem.

Secondly, I have friends from UK, China and Europe and we meet to speak regularly.  

What will you do with your degree after you have finished your studies?

I will go back to start my work as an academic at Yarmouk University in Jordan.

Did you receive a scholarship for your studies?

I have a scholarship from the Jordanian government and this helped me to get acceptance offer from Southampton University. 

If you could give your past-self one piece of advice about coming to study in Southampton, what would it be?

The academic staff provide great assistance and suggestions to improve student life and study. Student just feels like he is at his home. 

Would you recommend the University of Southampton to students from your home country?

I already did that, and some of friends started their PhDs in this great University.

What is your favourite spot on campus?

The prayer room and Jubilee Sports Centre.

What were your first impressions of the University of Southampton?

It was colder than I was expecting, but it was very easy to navigate Southampton University since it has so many signs that guide students to their targets.

What has been your proudest accomplishment while you were in Southampton?

Making friends from China, UK and Europe.