I always knew which career path I wanted to be in ever since I was about nine-years-old, but I never knew which education path I had to take to further my dreams.

As my O-Levels (or GCSEs in the UK) came knocking on the door, I realised that it was high-time I started researching a subject that would help me progress in my interested line of industry; hospitality.

I spent sleepless nights researching about subjects which best met my desires. That’s when I came across the course Hospitality Business Management. As I read more about it, my enthusiasm to study this course kept growing. Not only does it allow me to study about tourism, food, culture and modern languages, but it has also helps me understand the business side of the industry through modules such as marketing, small business planning and enterprise.

As an international student from Bangladesh, the only way to access information about any foreign university was either through the internet or through brochures in study fairs. On top of that, deciding to study abroad takes months of preparation as I needed to take several courses and prepare numerous documents. I always knew I wanted to come to the UK for my higher studies as I am from a Cambridge curriculum school in Bangladesh, and figured that it would be the best suited for me. But I was never quite sure which university to choose as there are literally millions of options open. Luckily for me, my sister was already studying Economics at the University of Huddersfield.

A picture of a graduate and a student posing together.

She’s told me all sorts of stories about how amazing the University campus is, how friendly the people here are and how it is near-to-impossible to feel homesick because of the international societies which host events regularly and give you the chance to mingle with lots of people from all over the world. All of her stories - combined with the University’s outstanding reputation of having great quality facilities, highly credited faculty members with an outstanding teaching program and having won multiple awards, including “University of The Year” by Times - were all a major push for my deciding factor in choosing the University of Huddersfield.

A photo of Sanjida sitting on grass on The University Campus plaza.
Five students posing in front of a Union Jack.

Having been in this course for almost two years, all I can say is that it was the best decision I have made for my future. I feel that the course is so hands-on and relates so much to the hospitality industry in real life.

The best thing that I’ve come across so far is that my degree provides options for free additional courses, including Health and Safety and Level 1 Wine Tasting Award, which would’ve cost a lot of money if I wanted to get it done outside of uni - I believe this is very important as having extra certificates while applying for jobs in the future is very helpful.

The most integral part of student life is assignments, and to be honest they scare the life out of me, but the student guidance system and the tutors here are so helpful and supportive that I have learned to cope with my fears rather well. It’s easy to book an appointment with tutors to get feedback on your assignments while doing them - which is a huge help. Even after that, if someone is struggling to cope they can always seek help from their personal tutor to guide them through their academics.

I think Huddersfield is the perfect place for students to live, as all the amenities are so close by and it is a quaint little town with friendly people all around, which is exactly what I like as I prefer quieter towns rather than crowded cities like London. Also, if anyone fancies a day out in a big city or a change of scenery, Leeds or Manchester are only a short train ride away.

A photograph of a Canal with trees surrounding.

If I ever got the chance to go back in time and re-do my life choices, choosing the University of Huddersfield would be a choice I wouldn’t change, as coming here to study has helped me grow as a person drastically, helped me make a few friends whom I think will last a lifetime, and taught me a lot about life which, I think, would never have been possible otherwise.

Two students sitting on grass in front of castle hill.

If you'd like to know more about Huddersfield, why not check out one of our Open Days.

More student life articles?

What is life like as a student? Hear it straight from our current students as they write about their student experience.

Meet our reps

These are the students who are sharing what life is really like at the University of Huddersfield.