Why Bangor
Bangor University got a partnership with Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) offering Undergraduate degrees in Banking and Finance and Accounting and Finance. I graduated Bangor University’s program in BIBF majoring in Banking and Finance in 2019. In January 2021 I graduated my MSc in Management and Finance, and here I am.
The International Ambassador Scheme
I decided to join the International Ambassador Scheme because I was very happy and I settled in Bangor in no time, thanks to the support, help, and advice I got from other international students. I also feel that I have enough experience by now with this university especially in Bangor Business School that I can offer something back to other students in all aspects, and having lived in Bangor for more than a year now, ( during all lockdowns in 2020) I really enjoyed my time during my postgraduate taught year and got to know this city really well.
What is the most difficult thing about being an International Student?
To be completely honest, I haven’t had any difficulties that I could share with others, but perhaps a general difficulty is being very far away from home and family, but end of the day it’s a trade-off that we international students choose.
The Course
In a nutshell, the MSc Management and Finance program is an excellent choice for someone who would want to gain necessarily skills from both fields. The management modules offer highly important skills and knowledge in regard to how managers make decisions and how organizations are run. On the other hand, the financial modules offer more detailed financial skills that are global and not local. International Financial Markets and International Financial Management modules are extremely useful especially for individuals looking to go back into practice and target managerial financial positions. In addition, I highly recommend prospective or new students to choose Knowledge Management if it is offered, this module will open your mind and eyes to so many things we do in our daily lives and don’t even how they are all related, and you will be able to correlate your own personal knowledge and the way you engage with people either in your own working environment or social life, at least that is how I felt and my opinion on it.
The Lecturers
Bangor Business School like any other academic school in the university offer so many resources and material for us as students to succeed. Study spaces, databases access, software access, name it. However, the greatest asset this university got is their line of lecturers and academic staff. The culture in Bangor University is very friendly, Professors with so many years of experience and an astonishing figure of publications refuse to address him or her as ‘professor’ but rather first name, it took me couple of months to adjust, and I still can't get over it. I would not worry at all as a prospective student to this matter.
Clubs and Societies
I am a member of the Bangor University Tennis Club. It is important to mention that the university offer a wide range of clubs and societies and no membership fee is required to join and benefit from these clubs. As a PhD Candidate I don’t have much time to engage with the clubs and societies, but I really enjoy all the tennis sessions by the tennis club in the university regardless of being a beginner, intermediate, or advanced session. I got to meet so many people by attending and playing tennis with other students.
Bangor and the area
The pace of life is chilled, Bangor is not a big city with a fast rhythm of life. So, if you’re looking for a very relaxed lifestyle focusing on few things and enjoying the nature then this is where you should come and pursue a degree at any level. The weather can be very challenging especially across January-February, but you will eventually get used to it and continue with your life normally. One important thing to mention is that you can walk around the entire city, so the simplicity of not needing to use public transportation or taxis or even getting your own car is a big plus, especially with my background where I had to drive the whole time whenever I wanted to go out and about in Bahrain.
When I leave and I hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon, I will miss the lifestyle, the people (academics and friends I’ve met here who live here), and the nature.
The best thing about Bangor
The Welsh and the people living in Bangor are just very accommodative and down to earth, making it very easy to blend in with society. I appreciate the small things in life, so I believe Bangor offers everything a student need.
Support from the university
The university is extremely supportive and in timely manner.
Advice for new international students
My main advice is don’t waste your money on buying an umbrella, invest in a proper trench/raincoat. Go out and walk around everywhere, there are plenty of beauty spots this city has got to offer, and when you come here enjoy it as much as possible.
The future
For the coming few years I just hope I will be able to finish my PhD, once that is achieved and done then I am open to any opportunity that presents itself to me. However, I want to stay in Academia and be able to teach.
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