During the last few years of my life, I'd been planning to study in Wien (Vienna), Austria, which is my dream city right in the heart of Europe.  I am Bulgarian and have a German diploma but I'd never planned to study at the other side of Europe - the English-speaking, rainy, green side. It was a last minute decision and it wasn't based on statistics, ratings, comparison, or months of research. It was simply based on my intuition, on the feeling that I somehow belong here (photos of the main building can be really, really persuasive in that sense).  During a meeting with international students, the Lord Provost of Glasgow said: 'While you are here, you are from our family. And we take care of our family.'

I love lots of things about the city - all the birds you can hear early in the morning, the ducks and swans in the canal, the grey squirrels in the Botanic gardens, foxes crossing your way, all the rivers and the parks, and the streets after rain smelling like wet bread, all the opportunities, the sweet 'wee' cafes, men in kilts, buskers, all the great warm-hearted and internationally-spirited Scottish people.  It’s lovely.

What appealed to me about Business and Management and Comparative Literature degree programme was not only the flexibility of the courses, but the abundance, the scope, the devotion with which the staff are managing the curriculum, working for and with the students.

Even a few months after first arriving, I am still exploring the University’s facilities - the 12-floor library, the sport facilities, all the nice cafes, the student unions - places for studying, relaxing and socialising.  The International Society organises various trips around Scotland and the UK.  Thanks to it, I've been to many places around Scotland - Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Loch Lomond and others.

I live in Murano Street Student Village - it's a big international place but still feels like home because you're taken care of but you have some obligations as well.

Here, you can meet amazing people from all over the world, learn a lot, experience a lot, and have fun beyond belief.  There are bike sheds everywhere; the Stevenson Building offers a big pool, sauna, free drop-in classes like Boxfit, Zumba etc.  Ceilidh, the Highlands, kilts, haggis, Scottish wit - everything is worth experiencing.

Glasgow offers a fantastic lifestyle that will fit any potential applicant, from the party animals to the culture animals. The University itself doesn't have the claustrophobia of a campus University and has a blend of chic modern buildings and beautiful medieval architecture. The atmosphere is not only welcoming but also intellectually stimulating. There is always a club to join or an event to participate in. Just minutes from the famous Byres Road, a cup of coffee or browse of vintage clothing is a welcome relief between lectures. The very first thing that is noticeable about the environment (except the foxes and squirrels) is that students and the general public are friendly and willing to offer help to anyone. There aren't any generic stereotypes wandering around in intimidating groups, and everyone fits in.

Being in the heart of the West End puts you in the middle of the grandeur of Glasgow – parks and tenements surround the University's buildings and it’s just a ten-minute subway trip from the enormous city centre. The campus is split into different buildings which can appear daunting at first, but, because they are all within a five-minute walk from each other, it is remarkably easy to move between them. The main building and University Avenue boasts traditional buildings which contrast effectively with newer designs such as the Medical School.

Having two student unions allows students to have greater choice, whether this refers to food, shops or, of course, a night out. You do not have to belong just to one union, but the rivalry provides excellent banter.

Sports facilities are modern, literally across the road from the University main building and exceptionally cheap. I have not come across anyone who has a cheaper membership at University.  The Netball Club offers not only opportunities to play for the team but also a recreational players’ club for beginners or experienced players. Games are often arranged for the recreational club too.

Being able to choose three different courses in the first year makes the transition to University easier as you get a taste of what each subject involves and can discover whether the UCAS course you applied for was the right decision.  It is easy to change your degree course whilst also beneficial in the eyes of an employer who will see your greater skill range attained at University.

The Library has a fantastic space for group study and independent study, even a cafe – so late night cramming doesn't involve leaving the building!  Spread over twelve floors there are plenty of study spaces and computer access.  It is flawless - millions of books as well as online resources and total silence.

You will be spoilt for choice.  Scotland was the only option for me when applying to University. Glasgow is less than an hour away from the largest loch in Scotland and Trossachs National Park.  The transport links are incredibly cheap to travel by bus or train to places such as Edinburgh and Stirling for day trips.

I choose Glasgow as it offers a great academic programme and is ranked as one of the best universities in the world.  I was anxious at first, coming here from abroad, but I have to say that people in Glasgow are very welcoming and friendly, more than anywhere in the world.

The Economics programme is quite prestigious, ranked among the top 20 in the country. Lecturers and tutors in all courses are very well prepared and always deliver above expectations.  The vast opportunities available through the University’s study abroad exchange programme can help students to improve their language skills and employability prospects.  

The Careers Service is extremely helpful for students needing advice on internships, jobs or CVs.  They offer a wide range of services to help students to progress professionally by organising job fairs, seminars and presentations.

Glasgow University is quite unique in having two competing student unions.  The Queen Margaret Union and Glasgow University Union strive to bring what is best to the students.  Thanks to them, you will never be bored; there are a range of activities from clubbing, celebrating holidays, debating, drinking games to sports competitions (and many more).  As a member of my high school debating club, I was happy to find out about Glasgow University’s Dialectic Society.  It is one of the best in the world having won several national and world championships.  Students’ interests are very well catered for here - there are numerous clubs and societies.  If you cannot find a club to join, you can easily start one and make history.

I live in Student Apartments, a University-owned hall.  The residence was built in the 19th century and has very spacious rooms. The main benefit of living here is that it is really close to the University - just five minutes’ walk from the library and the main building. Thus, I get to get sleep longer than most of my fellow students.

I would definitely recommend other international students to come to Glasgow.  The city is very friendly and vibrant; there is always something fun to do in a safe, welcoming environment.  You can find a great mix of students here and you can make friends from all over the world.  If you are feeling homesick, you can easily find another student from your home country and just have a chat to cheer up.

In the West End, you can find the well-known Kelvingrove museum, Botanic Gardens and Ashton Lane.  The campus is easily accessible by public transport. The University is also close to the city centre where the best shops, cafés and restaurants wait for you.   Glasgow, as a major city in Scotland, is easily accessible by train, bus or plane. Accessibility makes travelling easy and being a student makes it cheap.  In the last few months, I have visited Edinburgh and Loch Lomond.  It was great to discover and get a feeling of Scotland beyond Glasgow.  If you are interested in travelling more extensively, I recommend joining the International Society as they organise trips all around the UK for very good prices.

I chose the University of Glasgow for many reasons.  It’s one of 20 Russell Group Universities, one of the top universities in the UK, and in the top 100 world universities.  As an EU national (Latvian), I receive free tuition.  And, finally, I was born and lived for the past 19 years in Riga, the capital city if Latvia, so I did not want to live in a small town and Glasgow is quite a big city.

I have not regretted choosing the University.  The city is nice, big and has an interesting social life and many places to go out.  It seems like the majority of Glasgow’s population are students!  The people here are very friendly; I can always see smiling faces.  

I like our campus - especially, the main building - it is very impressive and makes you feeling you have travelled to the Middle Ages! Moreover, everything is situated close together - it takes only a few minutes to get from the lecture to the library or gym.  I like the West End and, since a lot of students live here, I am always among people of my own age. 

I am a member of the International Society and Russian-Speaking Society and both student unions. Here, everyone can find people from the same background.  However, if you cannot for some reason, the International Society is a great place for everyone! I love its pub nights – it’s a great way of meeting new people and making friends.  I like that clubs and societies cover different areas of interests: ethnic and cultural, sports or more academic.  Everyone can find something suitable.  I would like to join some sports clubs, however, at this stage, sports in the Stevenson building covers my sports interests. I love our gym and swimming pool there. I have paid only £40 and I can go there as much as I want and to use all the equipment for the whole academic year.

What I like most is that I can choose ANY combination of three courses.  There is also a very flexible choice of tutorial groups, so you can make your own timetable that suits you best - e.g. studies in the mornings if you like to have afternoons free; or classes later in the day if you like to sleep a lot.

The biggest impression is, of course, our library! On 12 floors you can find anything you wish. It is a whole world where I like to read, chat with friends in the cafe, or just relax on sofas. The opening hours are amazing; you can get everything you need at any time.  It is very convenient that any time you need computer you can get access to it in many University buildings.  Printing facilities in the library are also very good: you can print your documents on many levels of the building and make colour copies if you wish.

In the Career Service, staff can help you with your CV and, through its web site, you can find a part-time job or a work placement and I have managed to do so.

I am staying in Murano Street Student Village. I enjoy being here! First, there are more than 1000 students and we all are from the same university!  Secondly, I like that we have flats, so it is very homely to get together with my flatmates in the kitchen.  Finally, it is not too far away from the University.  But the most important thing about staying in halls is the experience you gain: living on your own, socialising, doing housework, etc.

I have travelled twice to Edinburgh with the International Society. The city is really impressive and I want to go there again! And I enjoyed the Scotland’s landscapes very much, especially, the hills. As far as I have seen, Scotland’s nature is different in different areas, so it would be great to explore this country more!

Overall, from the perspective of an international student, it feels like home!  Everything is great fun here – studying, socialising, doing sports, living on your own, clubbing! I suggest everyone gets involved.

I chose to come to Glasgow because of its location and reputation. The best thing about the city is that it’s not too big or too small.  There are loads of things to see and do - shops, restaurants, concerts, beautiful architecture - without the feeling of being in an overcrowded city.  Obviously the University campus is beautiful and being in the heart of the West End means that, unlike a lot of university campuses, you’re not isolated from what’s going on.  There are always great concerts, events, and nights out going on in the West End and city centre and being in a city means we have access to a lot more.  Scotland is a beautiful and interesting country and travelling to places surrounding Glasgow is convenient and whether you’re organising it yourself or going on one of the many trips organised by the International Society, it is definitely a worthwhile experience.

The flexibility of the course choices we have was greatly appealing, especially being able to take three different courses during first year before having to specialise.  The best part is that you can take courses in other Schools, so even if you know what your degree is going to be, you have the flexibility to take courses in outside areas that interest you.  The library is a great place to study and do research. The study areas make it a great place to go whether you’re studying alone or doing group work.

The student unions promote a great sense of community throughout the University and there’s always something going on at night and on the weekends.  A year’s membership for the gym is really affordable and it has a wide range of facilities and lots of classes going on through out the week which are great fun to attend with friends.  There are clubs and societies for every interest.  Freshers’ week really makes things very accessible and allows you to try things you may have never considered.

During my first year, I stayed in University halls.  Living there is a great way to meet people during your first year and get a taste of what it’s like to live on your own.  I stayed in the Student Apartments, which are in a very convenient location for getting to class and going out at night.

What surprised me is how diverse the student body is at Glasgow.  You will meet loads of people from all over the world, probably even some from your home country.

I didn’t know much about Glasgow when I first came here.  I only knew that I wanted to study abroad and in Scotland so coming to Glasgow meant taking a chance. But the city turned out to be really friendly and although large, it still has something of a small town vibe that makes me feel somewhat at home.

I’ve always wanted to study psychology and business, and I guess the best part of being at Glasgow is that I can study both and a third subject, which is good if you’re unsure of your decision. The lectures and tutors are friendly and helpful!

It’s a nice campus - the main building being wonderful, especially if you have time to kill and just sit and look.  The gym is great; it is amazing that you can get access to that kind of sports facility for only £40 a year! The library is good, although I hate to admit it, what’s really great is that it is open until 2am every day when the deadlines are creeping up.

I’m involved in the Psychology Society and International Society - they look good on your CV, it’s the best way to meet friends and if you ever need help, the students in the years above are really helpful.

By staying in University halls, you meet a lot of people, and it’s probably the best way to make friends unless you’re from Glasgow.  Everyone there is new to university and the city so you’re all in the same boat.  There are a lot of international students so you’re bound to meet someone from your own country.  Things are made easier by the friendliness of the University, which has a clear student-led approach.

I have been up north to Inverness and down south in London. Glasgow has excellent train and airport (for going home) connections so you only need to take the subway and bus to the airport and then the world is yours.

I’ve met wonderful people and I’m getting a great degree so I’m happy here.

I chose Glasgow because the University is beautiful and combines modern buildings with great old buildings and makes me feel comfortable.  I love Glasgow because it is a fun city with lots of opportunities for students to go out, have fun and be a student.  There are lots of nice places close to Glasgow.  I have been to Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. My friends at home are jealous that I live so close to the famous Loch Ness. It is really nice to be able to go to the Highlands even if just for a day. I have also been to Ayr which has a nice beach.

Students and staff at the University are very open and friendly.  I am very happy with my degree so far.  I have received good advice from my Adviser of Studies and knowing that I can always drop a subject after a year helped me know that my degree choice is the right one.  The lecturers are competent and I have participated in an international summer school exchange with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and have found it to be one of the best experiences of my life so far.

Glasgow is an international city and the University offers so many services for international students that I have never worried about my wellbeing here. I know I can always visit the international student services or the SRC if I need help.  The gym is a great offer for students and I was impressed that it has a pool!  Also, the many societies and the two student unions made it really attractive for me to come here.  I have joined the hockey team and love it. I also joined the Trading and Investment Club and the Business Club. Those are great to network and have fun after classes.

The campus is simply beautiful, especially the main building.  I like seeing the tourist buses pass, show the University as a sight worth seeing. I have seen other campuses which were too modern or dirty and unfriendly in contrast to Glasgow’s green and pretty campus.   The library is a great place to study (especially when you sit on level 10 and watch the sun set).  It motivates me a lot when I see how many others study hard.

I stayed in the Queen Margaret Halls last year and I found it to be very convenient because I made friends instantly and easily and the bus service from and to campus really made life easier.

I chose Glasgow as it felt like a home from home.  After visiting other universities, I didn’t get the same vibe from the rest of them.  Glasgow has got the great academic side, some great tourist attractions as well as a great social life.  Not all cities and universities can say that.

I knew the University had a good reputation for business studies, my degree programme.  I also chose Glasgow because you can do three totally different subjects in first and second year meaning that you can keep your options open if you’re not entirely sure which direction you want to go in.  When I reached third year, I had even more flexibility in choosing courses that you like and are interested in rather ones which don’t appeal to you at all.

When I heard that Glasgow University had two unions, I knew it would have a good student life!  And so far I haven’t been let down.  In first year, I was worried that there wouldn’t be any clubs I would be interested in, but I’ve discovered so many societies I want to be a part of, I’ve had to cram them all in.  Even after my third year, I still can’t believe it only costs £40 to join the gym for a year!  All my friends from other universities are so jealous!  I am involved in the Business Club and Student Enterprise as I felt these would help me learn more about the area I’m studying. I’ve had opportunities to organise events that have been both fun and useful for later life.  I visit the gym regularly and participate in the many fitness classes that take place every day.  

I love that the University campus isn’t far removed from the city centre - a quick bus or subway ride and you are in town in minutes!  The West End is great - the atmosphere is busy and something is always happening, but it never feels too crowded.  If you have time in between classes, it’s brilliant to have lunch in one of the cafes and spend some time looking around the unique, independently-owned shops.  Glasgow can be a great city to live in and you can have some really great cheap nights and days out if you know where to go! Which you will in no time at all!

In first year, I stayed in Murano Student Village (self-catering flats).  What I liked about student accommodation was that everyone is in the same boat.  Nobody knows each other so you can’t feel left out.  It’s a great opportunity to meet people from other courses that you might not have been able to meet otherwise.  Even if you don’t get along with your flatmates, don’t forget there are people in the flat above and the flat below and the flat opposite and the flat behind…!

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many people from different countries all over the world and to share in their culture. Having attended some of the International Society events, I know that international students enjoy Glasgow just as much as UK students.

The Careers Service is brilliant for keeping you informed about opportunities happening around campus - something that is more important in your final years when you have to start thinking about actually looking for a job! Without them, I wouldn’t have found out about half the events such as employer fairs, volunteering opportunities, placement schemes etc.

Being in Glasgow for three years has allowed me to travel to many places in the rest of Scotland and in England.  Edinburgh is only about 50 minutes away on the train if you fancy a mini break away.  Loch Lomond is also a short ride away if you want to visit somewhere quiet and beautiful.   Because Glasgow has two airports and two train stations, it’s so easy to visit other places.

I’ve discovered that Glasgow has something for everybody no matter what you’re into!

I applied to Glasgow University because of its good reputation and I really liked the city Glasgow.  The people are really friendly and, if you need help, there is always someone you can ask.

Coming from abroad, it was great to have the choice between three different courses in your first year.  I was not sure whether I should pick Politics or Business and Management but I was able to study both until making my decision to study Business and Management as a single honours degree. The courses have great lecturers and you can specialise your degree by choosing courses in the areas you wish.

I am very impressed with the student facilities. The gym is great and has everything - weights, steppers, great classes and a sauna.  The best part is that a lot of the classes are free and the price for the whole year is phenomenal.

The library is a great place for studying.  It offers lots of student PCs as well as a comfortable cafeteria.  If you enjoy sitting on a couch and studying, this is also possible but they are fairly sought after and it can be quite difficult to get one.  The computing facilities are great - it is very easy to connect your own laptop to the University broadband and you have access to most journals online. The web pages are very helpful and easy to understand.  If you do have a problem, there is an IT-service help desk in the library and you will always get good advice and help from it.

The campus itself offers many activities, like nights organised in the unions or charity events such as abseiling.  Whatever your interest is you are sure to find what you like.  The University also has its own radio station where you can try out your skills.

After studying, I enjoy sports and languages.  The University offers language courses (to those not studying languages) that are affordable and fit in with your timetable.

The University offers lots of meetings for international students where you can get to know lots of other students either from your own country or from others.  Furthermore, the campus offers so many activities that it is hard to not find friends.  There are regular nights in both of the student unions and Freshers’ Week is a great way to bond with new people.

If you choose to stay at the halls of residence, you do not have to worry about bills or anything like that. Washing facilities as well as dryers are provided and you can use them for free.

The West End feels like a different place to the rest of Glasgow. There are Byres Road and Ashton Lane, which are great places to have a nice coffee in one of the many coffee shops or a pint at night in one of the many bars.  It almost feels like most of the West End is an extension of the campus.

Loch Lomond is only 45 minutes away by train and offers stunning views.  It is great to be in the city and enjoy all the benefits from that and then be able to travel a little and have an amazing view around you.  You can even ride to Loch Lomond by bike from Kelvingrove Park, which is a great activity in summer time.

I chose Glasgow as I kept in touch by email with three people studying here that I have never met before but they were very helpful and gave me a lot of useful hints and advice.  I was also struck by the CD that Glasgow had sent to its potential undergraduates.

I really like the fact that all the facilities and buildings are in one area (not like some other universities, where all the buildings are in different parts of the city and getting from one to another would take you ages).  In general, I would rate all campus as outstanding, with many different facilities for everyone.   The West End is a typical student area, and, most importantly, very safe. A majority of students live in this area in halls or private flats, so seeing your friends every day is a matter of walking a couple of minutes.  The area is surrounded by two beautiful parks: Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens. Moreover, there are three big supermarkets on Byres Road with everything you need.  I have travelled around Scotland to many places and compared to other campuses that I’ve seen, the Glasgow University Campus is definitely the best in the whole of Scotland.   

Lecturers offer outstanding help to students and are very helpful in answering any single question that you might have.  The courses are flexible; the first year allows students to choose three courses and then later choose the most appropriate and interesting ones.  The atmosphere in classes is very nice and, during tutorials, students have a chance to get additional help.  Also, the courses have made me more creative and logical in my thinking as I have been taught not only theory but also practical applications.

The library is open from 7.15 am until 2, allowing you to use it at almost any time.  Also, the library offers a diversity of books and the security guards are always more than eager to help you.  The computing facilities in the library and other buildings on campus are modern and work with no problems.  The staff are really very helpful and patient, eager to help you with all the issues.  Using the library is very straightforward - the website is fast and provides information about many important papers and articles and journals.  The Careers Service offers a very useful web site that can help you find part-time or graduate jobs.  

I was told by my chat friends that Glasgow social and university life is amazing - it’s relatively cheap and the people are very nice, though the accent is difficult to understand at first.  The Stevenson Building offers amazing sports equipment for a very reasonable price.  The student unions (especially for first year students) provide an incredible chance to meet new folk, guaranteeing much fun and many gigs, quizzes etc.  I personally have many interests beyond my studies. I play the clarinet and know five foreign languages.  When I came, I joined the International Society almost immediately and both QM and GUU students unions.  It gave me the chance to meet amazing people on my way, get to know more the Scottish as well as international customs.  What is more, I used to play volleyball and GUSA - the sports organisation - offers a lot to people interested in any kind of sport.

During my first year I stayed at Cairncross Hall of Residence. It was an amazing experience as I did not know anyone in the city before arriving. Staying in halls gave me the chance to meet a lot of different people from diverse countries around the world.  It was also very nice to live with many other people as you would never be bored and there was always someone to help and explain you things. Besides, first year is the most memorable in a university career and, to me, living in a University residence is just a must!  Otherwise, you might miss a lot.

Without doubt, Glasgow is an amazing place for international students.  Firstly, there are a lot of different societies organising diverse events and trips.  It allows new students to get involved in the new environment easily, meet people from the whole globe and learn new cultures, customs and to practice languages.  I, as an international student, found many friends from different countries and learned a lot from them.  

I have travelled around Scotland a couple of times.  Glasgow is situated in a great place for exploring Scotland.  Firstly, it is only around 30-40 minutes by train to Loch Lomond – one of the most beautiful and the biggest Scottish lochs (lakes).  What is more, it is very easy to travel form Glasgow to Isle of Arran and Isle of Bute (two islands that are Scotland in miniature).  I used to go on trips with the University, but then began to rent a car with my friends or choose also different means of transport to get to the Highlands, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Inverness.  Generally, it is easy to get from Glasgow to any part of Scotland as there are trains and buses to small places situated far away.

Scotland, especially the Scottish countryside, is one of the most beautiful places around the world and always draws many tourists to explore and admire its beauty.
Being in Glasgow enables me to travel easily and cheaply - don’t miss out on this chance!  Choosing Glasgow University has surely been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life. This place and university changed my views and attitudes towards many important issues, let me become more open-minded and gave me a chance to meet a lot of incredible people and friends that I hope to stay in touch forever.

Being from Edinburgh and wishing to move to a bigger city, I naturally looked into a few options; however my first Open Day at Glasgow made my mind up for me.  Helped by being a wonderfully sunny day, I walked around the cloisters and campus and knew that I would love to study here.  After being here four years, my view of the campus has not changed - I still love it and the city is the friendliest that I have lived in or visited. There is always a buzz about Glasgow and the West End is an amazing place to live and study for four years. I have made lasting friendships in my time here and the experience, not just academically, has been immensely fun and an exciting time in my life.

I always wanted to come to university and be challenged as a student and as a person. While slow at first, I have been increasingly challenged by the work and the Honours programme (years 3 and 4) has been, while stressful, an enjoyable experience.  Debating and working with peers and lecturers alike has been a highlight as well as developing knowledge and understanding of the programme over four years.

The library is a great facility and offers everything I have ever needed from it as a student, and if I have needed it, the staff have been more than helpful in ordering items for me.  I use it a lot and the views from level 12 are astounding.  The gym is by far the cheapest that I have heard about from friends studying elsewhere and it is a very useful facility.

I have stayed predominantly in self-catering flats after halls in first year.  Student halls are an overall social experience and I met a variety of colourful characters and friends that I am still close to four years on.  The West End is a great place to live as a student and offers everything a student needs as well as being close to university and having a host of bars, pubs and nightclubs.

The Glasgow campus, for the most part, is by far the most picturesque campus I have visited.  This is especially noticeable from Kelvingrove Park as it looks stunning from that distance.  The West End is full of students and is an incredibly social place to live. You can’t help but feel a large part of university life when living in the West End and being close to all my friends has made it a massively enjoyable experience.

I have interests in football and, being a Glasgow Rangers fan, I’ve been able to regularly see them play as Ibrox is only 5 subway stops away from the West End.

I like the University of Glasgow for its beautiful campus as it is an older institution. Also, the University has more meaning to me because my parents got married in the University’s Chapel over 20 years ago!  Accessibility is great with subway stations either end of the campus and with Byres Road so close, campus life can’t get any better! I don’t think other universities can compare with our campus life.

I enjoy my programme because I am not tied to one subject area only - I am given a wide variation of subjects within one area which gives me a better taster as to which field I’d like to work.

The sports centre offers a good range of facilities, plus membership for one year is better than you will find anywhere else! The library is also a lot bigger than many other universities and, therefore, stocks a lot of books as well as multiple floors for studying space.  The Careers Service is a great resource as they have helped me with practising job interviews.

I often visit Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne and both are really nice places to visit and the drive there is beautiful. Edinburgh is also good for its shopping and food.

After graduating from the Business School in 2007, I was commissioned into the Royal Marines. My modular course allowed a great deal of flexibility. I was able to custom build my own development, furthering my theoretical knowledge of leadership and management. The course also enabled me to build key competencies in team working, presentation, and of course written work. I feel that the University of Glasgow offers a highly effective supporting environment: I was able to balance part-time service in the Parachute Regiment, sport and a great social life with my studies.

This complete university experience was not only great fun but it strengthened my motivation to study – but, most importantly, it actually furnished me with the confidence and wide skill set which has facilitated my subsequent successes. Following a knee injury in commando training, I was forced to leave service last year. I have since completed a Masters (for which my GU lecturers recommended me). I am due to start work for UN Mission in Sudan this month.

My involvement with the University of Glasgow Business School as an undergraduate, MSc student and now PhD researcher has been instrumental to my personal and professional development.  In 2004, the Business School awarded me with the opportunity to study abroad for one year at the University of Queensland through Universitas 21, which is an international network of 21 leading research-intensive universities in thirteen countries.  This was a life changing experience and, when I completed my undergraduate degree, I was then directed to the Business School’s Doctoral Programme and decided to study for a PhD within the Centre for Internationalisation and Enterprise Research (CIER).  The aim of my PhD research is to understand the international competitiveness of small medical device companies in Scotland and Australia and the Business School’s world-class learning facilities and global knowledge network is testament to my ongoing personal and professional development.

Karl is a PhD researcher at the Centre for Internationalisation and Enterprise Research (CIER). More details can be found at http://www.gla.ac.uk/business/research/researchcentres/internationalisation/cierpeople/warner/.