Eriko Ota
MBA 2008-09

I wanted to pursue an MBA to develop further my communication skills and to obtain consistent knowledge of finance. As I have worked in multinational companies, the international cohort and faculty at DBS were very attractive to me. I knew the good reputation of Durham University, although my priority was the study environment, for example the college system. The one-year programme also appealed, as I did not want to spend two years out of the market. A one-year programme is intensive, but absolutely achievable.

The Boardroom Activity was one of the highlights of the programme. The activity is the opportunity to look at a business as a whole picture. For instance, at the time, I did not know much about marketing, but working on the business strategy of a UK-based bakery made me think about how to promote new products, the best advertising methods to enhance the brand name etc. My group included students from America, the UK, China, India and Tanzania - everybody has different thoughts, different ways to present opinions and express feelings and emotions. It was so stimulating and exciting.

The core modules taught me business strategies and theories, and the specialist financial modules, such as portfolio management, gave me new knowledge and skills.

Fabulous classmates from different backgrounds across the world broadened my perspectives both on and off campus and helped me learn how to communicate, negotiate, and share information between cultures. As well as the international cohort (47 people from 18 different countries), the International business experience was another high point. I chose to visit Vienna and Prague. Visiting organisations in these countries enabled me to learn about their business culture at first hand.

Durham itself is a small, beautiful city, which is pretty safe and has little distraction - a good environment for study. I enjoyed the life there a lot; and there is good access to the rest of the UK and Europe. Living on campus was unforgettable. When you leave your room, you will definitely bump into your friends. It was so easy and fun to get together, have small chats or big drinks, and share the pains of preparations for assignments - I think I made a good decision to study at Durham and know that the programme will be an indispensable stepping stone in my career.

Ruchi Chaudhry
MBA 2007-08

When I joined the Durham MBA I was an IT professional working for a French Oil and Gas firm, developing new software applications. I came to Durham seeking a change in career and to learn the essential skills which would help me build on my technical knowledge and manage better.

I saw that a continuously changing economy had opened up opportunities for professionals with managerial skills and so decided to pursue an MBA at Durham. I believe it was one of the best moves I have made in my life; the Durham MBA has been instrumental in shaping my future. I am working for the same employer, but am now Marketing Co-ordinator for the Asia Pacific region. The knowledge, experience and skills that I gained on the MBA program provided me with a very sound foundation and to have confidence in my work and in the decisions I take.

The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program, covering networking, presentation skills, interview techniques etc., was a key aspect of the MBA. Whenever, I speak to prospective students about the most significant lesson I learnt at Durham, I emphasize communication, relationship building and soft skills. As a manager, the practical value of all the soft skills learnt and implemented during my MBA are invaluable.

The Guest Speaker Program was another interesting aspect of the Durham MBA. I met a plethora of professionals from various walks of life and from different industries. It gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learnt in the CPD workshops, as well as increasing my network of contacts and my knowledge.

The Business Project was easily the high point of my MBA. This is where I really saw the difference in my working style and thought process. I worked with a company in Oslo and the whole experience of working in a new industry and living in a new country was enriching. I got a lot of guidance from the faculty at the business school and from my project supervisor, and the work I did for the company is still in use by them today. The Business Project provided me with the necessary confidence to plunge into the managerial world.

The time I spent at Durham is very special to me also because I made the best of friends from various parts of the world. I am proud to be a Durham MBA and would highly recommend it.