I hope to not only achieve a deeper sense of knowledge in my subject during my postgraduate study, but also to gain a new community. As an international student, I want to immerse myself in the culture of Birmingham and interact with different people from all around the world. I hope to conduct research to make a difference in the sphere of education. I am excited to learn and grow during this year and I hope to inspire others to embark on academic journeys of their own!

I am looking forward to engaging with my course community so I can gain new perspectives and ideas from my peers and staff. Within my cohort, I look forward to supporting one another so that we can work towards learning how to improve education in schools worldwide.

My first impressions of Birmingham have been exciting so far! Coming from a different country, there is always an adjustment period of learning and adapting to a new culture. However, what is great about Birmingham is that the city is so diverse and filled with a mixture of cultures from all around the world. Anyone can feel at home and welcomed at Birmingham, and I really love that about the city. I enjoy how there is a large campus culture that influences the city and how students form a community within the city. There are endless things to do in the city, yet there is always a place of quiet and peace on the leafy campus!

Since I want to work in higher education, I knew I wanted to further my studies. I wanted to learn more about the field of education so I can learn and grow as a student and future educational leader. Specifically, I wanted to do my Masters in the UK so I can gain a more international perspective of education. Therefore, the University of Birmingham’s postgraduate degree in Education on the Leadership pathway was a perfect fit for my career goals. I am excited to gain a deeper knowledge of the field of education in my studies while also engaging in research and extracurricular activities.

Hello! My name is Maya and I am a postgraduate student studying MA Education with a Leadership emphasis. I am from California and did my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley where I studied Biology. I had an excellent undergraduate experience where I joined a variety of clubs, engaged in leadership positions helping mentor fellow students, and immersed myself in a diverse, international community. After university, I decided I wanted to change career paths and work in higher education. My time at university allowed me to cultivate a passion for creating an inclusive community wherever I go. I hope to make a difference in the lives of university students by learning about school improvement, student wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion during my program.