17 November is International Students’ Day – a day that originally commemorated Czech university students killed and sent to concentration camps by the Nazis in 1939. Since then the higher education community has used this anniversary to celebrate the multiculturalism of their students.
The Essex Online community couldn’t be any more multicultural. Our cutting-edge personalised virtual learning platform is available 24/7 on any device, allowing students to get the full higher education experience from anywhere. We currently have students studying with us in over 170 countries worldwide!
To celebrate International Students’ Day, we’re sharing the experiences of a few of our students from across the world.
From Argentina, Maria Grecco, MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology
“I work as a forensic psychiatrist in Argentina and this course has been amazing, it has really changed my life and my working practice. The teachers are excellent, my classmates were also really supportive and all the team at the University. All the people have been extremely kind to me. I really don’t feel like a foreign student, I feel like I have been studying here all my life and this is because of the University.”
Maria was our Top Postgraduate Criminology Graduate winner 2019 – watch our interview with her and our 2019 graduation postgraduate award winners.
From Nigeria, Dr Obinna Orjingene, Master of Public Health
“For me it has been a great experience and honour to be part of this academic community. The shared experience around the module discussions have been a great learning platform. It has been wonderful speaking to my course mates across the globe. I have been able to use the modules I am learning in my real-life work experiences which is amazing and makes studying a lot easier! I use the course every day especially with my development work and system strengthening. I am very passionate about maternal and child health especially around improving access to high impact primary health care for those living in rural areas. I hope to apply the new concepts I am learning to my work both in the emergency departments and development here and globally in the future.”
Read more on Obinna’s studies and inspiring work!
From the United Kingdom, Emanuela Meloyan, LLB Law
“I was surprised to find out that you can gain your LLB via distance learning – and that it carries the same value as an LLB qualification gained on campus. University of Essex Online has truly transformed my life. I have two jobs, I am a senior licensing officer for Westminster City Council and a special constable with Metropolitan Police. I also worked as a project officer for the Soho Angels – End the Night Right initiative by Westminster Council. My main aim is to help other people to realise that everything is possible when you know how to find it. To appreciate the good in life, appreciate themselves and keep pushing until they find what they are looking for.”
Check out Erin’s blog to learn more about her student journey and her brilliant work for Soho Angels.
From Sudan, Dr Muna Yousif, MSc Infection control
“Working as a microbiologist in an under-developed country where the basic concepts of infection control are missing can be very challenging and frustrating. So I decided to do this degree to make a difference in my country. I got to meet students from all over the world and to be taught by some of the most dedicated tutors I’ve ever had in my life. I have already started applying what I have learnt in the past two years in the hospital I work, improving patient safety where it is most needed. Already with my team we are making a difference. My advice to others would be not to give up, to believe in yourself and to know that hard work does pay off.”
Muna was the 2018 Alan Jenkins Memorial Award winner – you can watch her vlog below:
If you’ve been inspired by our students’ stories and want to try online studying, get our prospectus now! Alternatively, contact our friendly Admissions team with any queries.