With an undergraduate degree in Textile Design, I began my professional journey as a designer. It was during this time that I realised my natural inclination wasn't just towards creating, but towards organising, guiding, and managing creative professionals. That insight ultimately shaped my decision to pursue the MA in Design Management.
Choosing Southampton felt like a strategic and instinctive decision at the same time. As a Russell Group university, its academic reputation and global standing immediately stood out. I was looking for a place that would challenge me intellectually while offering strong international exposure and I was not disappointed.
What stood out most about my course was the flexibility to shape it around my own interests and ambitions. It encouraged independent thinking and self-direction. The Leadership module in particular, left a lasting impact. It deepened my understanding of leadership frameworks while prompting me to reflect on the kind of leader I want to be – structured, empathetic, and forward-thinking.
Beyond the classroom
Many moments made my time at Southampton special, but a few truly stand out. Running for and being elected Class Representative was a defining moment. Leading a cohort of my peers in a new country was both exhilarating and transformative. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and shaped my confidence as a leader in ways I'll always value.
I made a conscious decision to fully engage with every opportunity that came to me, and I am so glad I did.
I volunteered for Cancer Research UK, carrying out admin duties. As well as gaining valuable experience working in a research organisation, developing skills in client-facing communication and teamwork, it enabled me to give back to the society I came to as an international student.
I was fortunate to complete two internship positions within different departments at the University. One was in Biology, where I helped develop two websites for research projects and the second was with CHEP in Professional Services, where I was a co-design assistant.
Both positions pushed me and gave me important experience in user interface design, which was closely linked with my course topics, and the managerial side of design, experiencing how the creative process can be structured efficiently and embedded in communications.
I also took part in a website design project where I was involved in managing everything from the creative direction to UI/UX and presenting outcomes to a management board. It’s a role that allows me to bridge creativity with structure, something I’m deeply passionate about, and I joined four students from other courses on a Student Innovation Project to improve the accessibility of Outdoor Nation, a website for outdoor activities.
This opened my eyes to a third point perspective, looking at user interface designs that could be more efficient and surveying their feasibility for implementation for both the short and long term.
A sense of belonging
There’s so much to do away from your studies to help you feel settled into the community. I loved the Craft Society events, where I could unwind, create, and connect with like-minded friends over something artistic.
I attended events hosted by the Indian Society, which helped me stay connected to my cultural roots while embracing a global academic environment. I also took part in marketing photo shoots. Quite unexpectedly, this gave me a real sense of belonging. It felt empowering to enjoy the experience, be part of the university's visual story and connect to the institution.
Growing into a leader
Southampton strengthened both my academic foundation and my personal confidence. I developed strong research capabilities, expanded my subject expertise, and built transferable skills such as leadership, cross-cultural communication, and strategic thinking.