Kayla Beyer
International student Kayla chose City St George's for its location and course content. The opportunity to live in London and study a diplomacy-focused programme particularly appealed to Kayla, helping her to pursue a career in foreign services.
What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?
After my undergraduate studies, I had the great fortune to travel a little bit. This experience made me realise that I want to understand the world better, and what better way to do that than through studying politics?
Why did you choose City St George's?
I chose City St George's for a couple of reasons. As a child, I had always wanted to live in London and what better time to do so than as a student! The second reason I chose City St George's is because of my programme. After shopping around for postgraduate programmes, I have learned that City St George's is one of the few universities that offer a diplomacy-focused programme.
How are you finding studying in the UK?
Living in the United Kingdom has been a dream come true of mine. I love the bustle of city life and that there is always something to do/see/watch. Living here has broadened my horizons far more than I could have imagined, exposing me to diverse cultures and viewpoints in a way that studying in the United States never did.
What does a typical week at university look like for you?
A typical day for me starts with a quick workout at CitySport, which I find helps me to get into gear. Afterwards, I have lunch, attend lectures, and then get ahead of the following week’s readings. I live in student accommodation, so I’m never far from everything I need.
What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?
One thing I like about my course is the diversity of lecturers. Having such a varied faculty provides me with a wide range of perspectives in my classes. My course has been incredibly enlightening, teaching me about political diversity and the idea that a solution effective in one country might not be suitable for another.
One of the key skills I’ve honed is researching and remaining curious about subjects that ignite my interests. I believe my course has also instilled in me the empathy needed for a career in foreign services.
Overall, I’ve found my programme’s workload to be quite manageable. My biggest suggestion to anyone is: do not be afraid of your lecturers. They are there for you and want you to succeed.
What opportunities and experiences have City St George's offered you so far?
City St George's has exceptional support staff. I felt that my lecturers were always there to help whenever I had a question. I’ve also been given excellent support as an international student, helping me navigate the challenges of living in a different country.
What are your career plans and how has City St George's prepared you for them?
I hope to pursue a career in foreign services after my studies at City St George's. I believe my course has given me the preparation and empathy that is needed for such a career.
What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?
My advice would be to do it. Higher education is something that not many people can afford to do. If you are given the opportunity to pursue it, I believe you should go for it!