Meet students at the ISC
Our students come from many different countries, including Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Meet some of the international students currently at the ISC:
- Hang Thu Tran from Vietnam
- Meriam Bashiyev from Kazakhstan
- Michelle Balonwu from Nigeria
- Isin Yagmur Karabacak from Turkey
- Benjamin Maduka from Nigeria
- Dana Huang from China
- Nevil Bahuleyen from India
- Ziwen Qi from China
- Chakib Balbachir from Algeria
- Mary Macharia from Kenya
- Tsun Ting Tong from Hong Kong
- Prateek Sengupta from India
- Dinara Taszhanova from Kazakhstan
- Wui Wing Wong from China
You can also follow life as an International Study Centre student at University of Leicester in Mickey's blog.
Hang Thu Tran
Country: Vietnam
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business and Social Studies
Intended degree: Banking and Finance
Our student union has many clubs and societies where I have the chance to get involved in activities that I am interested in, like badminton and cooking. The second thing I enjoy most here is the student life. As I expected, my student life is very interesting. I can always find something to do in Leicester and never get bored. An amazing thing in Leicester is that most of the shops, cinemas and bars here offer student discount. Our university’s student union organises many voluntary work for students which is my favourite activity.
I am very satisfied with the course here. I had not learnt any subjects related to Economics and Business in Vietnam so at first, these subjects were very new and difficult to me. However, thanks to the help of the tutors, everything seems to be much easier to me and I have become confident of my knowledge of Economics and Business.
The Foundation course is for international students so I have had the chance to meet and make friend with people from all over the world like America, China and Nigeria, etc.
Meriam Bashiyev
Country: Kazakhstan
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business and Social Studies
Intended degree: Financial Economics
The best thing I enjoy at the University is that I get to meet a lot of people from different countries. Also it is very interesting for me to experience the British education system. Another part of University life I enjoy is sport – I have joined the university’s American football team, which gives me an opportunity not only have fun playing sport but also it’s a great way to socialise with British students.
The International Study Centre has given me an idea of how it is going to be to study at university. This in fact helps a lot and I think my start at the University as an undergraduate student will be much easier than if I hadn't studied on this foundation course.
After graduating from the university I am going back to my country and hope to find a nice job as some kind of financial manager. My long-term career goal is to be good in my job and constantly improve my skills, which surely would be helpful in the future.
Michelle Balonwu
Country: Nigeria
Foundation pathway: Science and Computing
Intended degree: Pharmaceutical Chemistry
I really love being with my friends at the ISC, hanging out in the city centre or Students’ Union or discovering the most random things to do and see in Leicester (where else can you voyage to ‘space’, visit medieval castles, and see remians of ancient Roman architecture?)
If I had to pick one thing I enjoyed most, it would be the English classes. It was always really interesting to hear different views on things such as trickier grammar and usage errors, to topics like history and current affairs for our essays. I found myself learning not only more about the language, but improving my general knowledge and learning more about my classmates and their cultures!
My teachers and head of centre were nothing short of amazing, and were responsible for the warm environment of the centre! The end of year had me almost wishing some of my tutors could ‘progress’ onto my degree along with me and my classmates! Classes were always very engaging, and sometimes challenging. I was always provided with help whenever I struggled with course material. I feel that the course greatly improved my scientific knowledge. I’d like to go into research or set up a pharmaceutical company in my home country. Not sure where my degree is going to take me yet!
Isin Yagmur Karabacak
Country: Turkey
Intended degree: Electronic and Software Engineering
The ISC is very helpful for student improvement. It is not easy but if you pass the ISC, you can understand that they are preparing you to be a university student. And they are good to do this job.
I think I am the luckiest person, because I met very wonderful tutuors in ISC. They always help me. Also, I had very enjoyable memories with my ISC friends and tutours. They are like a family and it is very important because when you come from a foreign country, you feel alone. They always help me and protect me.
My goal is to be a university professor in my country because of that I have to do doctorate or master degree as well.
Benjamin Maduka
Country: Nigeria
Intended degree: Computing with Management
I chose University of Leicester because it is one of the best universities in the UK, and it has all the modern technology I need in order to become highly skilled and well versed and also being sought after by world-class employers.
The university is a lively and friendly place, one in which you can thrive and be happy. The university is a very large place and has big departments that offer a wide variety of programmes but small enough that you are treated as an individual. There are no communication gaps between the students and staff; this provides an exciting learning atmosphere for the students.
I am currently pursuing a career in computing with management, when I finish my course I would like to work in big companies as an IT consultant or analyst , although I’ m also thinking about continuing with my study in business management, since the university has a lot of interesting postgraduate courses in the school of management.
Dana Huang
Country: China
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business and Social Studies
Intended degree: Media Communication and Society
I came to the UK because I wanted to know more about different cultures, and to try to learn western knowledge about media and society, while helping me improve my English. My dream is to get a significant degree, to help better my future, and I feel attending university here in the UK is a good step in that direction, while giving me an opportunity to use and improve my English.
I enjoy studying at the university as I can spend some of my free time reading or watching old movies available in the university theatre. While I was studying at the ISC I made a lot of new friends, who were from different countries, and I found making friends with them helped improve my English, which helped my studies.
The ISC gave me a chance to learn how to write a higher level essay and improved my confidence to study independently.
Nevil Bahuleyan
Country: India
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business and Social Studies
Intended degree: Management Studies
The course in the International Study Centre helps us to get an idea about what we will be learning in the University. Also it will help us to develop all the necessary skills that we need for further studies. The teachers are also so helpful by solving the doubts that we have. The take care of each and every student in the class by paying individual attention to them.
The International Study Centre helped me to develop a lot of skills that I need for my further studies. They helped me by making my presentations and essay better than before and also by developing my standard of English.
I would like to achieve a degree in BA (Hons) Management Studies with specialisation in Finance. After that I would like to gain experience by working in some company for 2-3 years. After that I would like to do my post-graduate in Master of Business Administration (MBA).Then I would either like to work for some company or I would like to start my own business.
Ziwen Qi 
Country: China
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business and Social Studies
Intended degree: Banking and Finance
Whilst studying at the ISC, we can enjoy all the facilities the University of Leicester. The library, gym and so on. I like to participate in some activities in school, such as some volunteer activities, the activities of school associations and some in the Student Union party.
When I finish my class everyday, usually I like to talk to my teacher or Principal. Not just about study, usually just to chat and discuss our common interest, such as yesterday's football matches or tips on photography.
You can discuss your career options with your personal teacher, tell them what you are interested in, they will give you more advice, on which profession you choose. However, I do not think too much about my future plans. I want to focus on the present life, and strive to make every day substantial. Now I just want to successfully go to university and seize every opportunity.
Chakib Balbachir
Country: Algeria
Age: 20
Foundation pathway: Engineering, Physics & Mathematics
Intended degree: Mechanical Engineering
I speak Arabic and French, but I decided to come to the UK to study because English is an international language. Considering everywhere in the world, to get a degree from England is really good.
I got an offer from Leicester University because I had already studied an English course here for 8 months. When I heard about the ISC, it sounded really good.
When I first came to the UK, I thought I was going to struggle but the English course was good and I had the opportunity to make friends with people from South Africa, Spain and Italy.
Now, I’m enjoying lessons on the Foundation Year even more than the English course. The teachers are great with non-native speakers and we get help with our grammar and our vocabulary. In mathematics, too, I got a lot of help and they started from the beginning.
I meet my friends everyday at the library to study and we spend the weekends together. The library is really good here. When I’m not studying, I’m a football player. I play everyday and in the Sunday League.
The city of Leicester is multi-cultural. You find people from different countries and different types of food. There are many Indian, Pakistani and Chinese restaurants. The centre is good for shopping and I think it’s beautiful.
I was applying to do Mechanical Engineering but I heard that we have the option to do other degrees, so I might look into different subjects. If I do a Masters, I think I’d stay here as I’ve got used to living in Leicester."
Mary Macharia
Country: Kenya
Age: 20
Foundation pathway: Engineering, Physics & Mathematics
Intended degree: Mechanical Engineering or General Engineering
"At first I wanted to go to university in Australia, but that didn’t go as planned so when I heard about the University of Leicester I decided to give it a try and see what the Foundation Course was all about.
My mother persuaded me to visit England in August before the course started. I didn’t want to, but when I came here I realised that England was not too bad to begin with. The weather reminded me of my home country Kenya and I just loved everything about the university, the people and how they interact.
Here at the ISC, the teachers are good and very supportive of us and the students are even lovelier. Classes are short but fun and since they don’t take up the whole day, I have time for my own studies and pastimes. After class I go to the library or go shopping, listen to music, or hang out with friends.
I’ve gone to the gym once, and I might try join the basketball team as I’ve been playing for quite a while now. After school I just love walking around and window shopping as Leicester is small, it’s quite compact and homely. I feel like I know most people here.
I look forward to starting my degree at the University this September but I’m still debating on whether to take a degree in Mechanical or General Engineering. I’ll decide at the end of my first year. After university, I would like to work with cars probably a luxury company such as Ferrari since I live in Italy."
Tsun Ting (Jason) Tong
Country: China (Hong Kong)
Age: 19
Foundation pathway: Engineering, Physics & Mathematics
Intended degree: Mechanical Engineering or Financial Mathematics
"When I first came to the International Study Centre and saw my new classroom and teachers, I knew I would have a great new start.
School life is very busy and exciting. I have made many new friends and we often help and learn from each other. Our teachers have taught us a lot, not only how to study but also how to be a useful person in society. I have learnt that if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well and that habits are second nature, so teachers often remind us to make good studying habits.
The study here is very different to what I was used to at school. I often find something is difficult to understand, but I know that at such times you have to spend a lot of time studying by yourself or you won’t make progress. Of course, study can be hard but when you make progress you’ll find it interesting.
The ISC is clean and high tech, and there are many computers at the Centre which makes it convenient for us. We should try our best to keep our Centre clean because we are members of the University.
Today, I am proud of the University of Leicester International Study Centre. Tomorrow, Leicester International Study Centre will be proud of me."
Prateek Sengupta
Country: India
Age: 18
Foundation pathway: Engineering, Physics & Mathematics
Progressed onto: 4 year BEng in General Engineering with Industry
Because of his extremely successful results on completing his Foundation pathway, Prateek was awarded by the University of Leicester a scholarship towards fees for the full duration of his degree. Read more about Prateek's success
“In my opinion, the International Study Centre is the best platform for international students wishing to progress onto a fully fledged undergraduate course at the University of Leicester.
On the foundation course, I can mix with students from all types of different educational backgrounds, and from countries around the world. I learn something new about some different culture every day. It’s a really enriching process.
The teachers at the ISC are above excellent. As they have taught and mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students, they know at exactly what academic level we need to be at to progress onto a degree course. This gives me, as an international student, a great strategic advantage.
Leicester’s compact and complete campus is the best suited campus that I have come across. Everything being 10-15mins walking distance away from each other makes living and studying extremely convenient.
I spend my study time in the library, but otherwise I’m at the city centre or over at the halls of residence common rooms. There’s always something to do or someone to hang out with. I never get bored! The city has everything, from the daily market where locals sell their products to the new massive Highcross Mall. Leicester gives you the fast city life experience but simultaneously a laid back feel.
I think the ISC shall play a great role in the University of Leicester’s future, as it rises towards becoming one of the best universities in the UK.”
Dinara Taszhanova
Country: Kazakhstan
Age: 18
Foundation pathway: Economics, Business & Social Sciences
"I heard that the education in the UK is the best one in the world so my parents decided to send me here to study. When I first came to England I was in London and there were a lot of Russian speakers. I chose to come to Leicester because here I am speaking English all the time and so I’m improving my language.
The good thing about Leicester University is that there are a lot of things to do, such as student societies and sports. I also love the big, modern library. It’s brilliant!
I have only three classes for now: English, business and maths. I love English very much because our teacher explains things and if we have any questions we can always go to the staff room and ask.
When I’m not studying, I spend time with my boyfriend. He is studying the second year of A levels here.
At first I thought Leicester was a small city but we went to the Bonfire night celebration and saw that Leicester is quite a big city. London is cosmopolitan but a bit too crowded for me. This city is not too small or too big. It’s a quiet place and I like it.
I haven’t decided what degree to study yet. When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer, but I’ll decide with my parents when I next go home."
Wui Wing (Harry) Wong
Country: China
Age: 20
Foundation pathway: Science & Computing
Progressed onto: BSc Medical Genetics
Because of his extremely successful results on completing his Foundation pathway, Harry was awarded by the University of Leicester a scholarship towards fees for the full duration of his degree. Read more about Harry's success
"Before coming here, I had no idea what life would be like in Leicester, I even did not know whether it is a city as crowded as where I am from. However, after arriving here, I can only say that it is a great city. In the city centre you can find everything you need for daily life.
I live at the Oadby Student Village which is ten minutes from the city centre by bus. It is a quiet place, which is excellent for studying. Although it is a bit away from the main campus, the bus route which runs between the halls and campus is very convenient – there are about six per hour.
The staff at the ISC are also nice. They make the most effort to solve any problems of international students. They try their best to make sure we understand. They are all so nice, experienced and helpful.
At the same time, the university library is also great, providing you with most of the materials you need. It is doubtless that a good library is necessary for studying, and Leicester provides us with one of the greatest of all universities in the UK."
