 Ishmael Quiroz
BA (Hons) Corporate Management, Anglia Ruskin University
Country of origin Belize
Ishmael Quiroz is a recent Anglia Ruskin graduate from Belize, who studied BA (Hons) Corporate Management. He came to study at Anglia Ruskin with two other Belizean students, all beneficiaries of the Ashcroft Scholarship.
‘One of the most rewarding aspects of attending university overseas has been gaining the international exposure vital to a broadened mentality, outlook and horizon.’
A warm welcome
Venturing off into a new world as a student far away from home was, as can be imagined, an exciting and sometimes daunting experience. However, any fears about feeling lost or alone in the great big world of Essex were quelled the minute we came into contact with the International Office. Induction week at Anglia Ruskin was a foretaste of the fulfilling and rewarding experience – emotionally as well as educationally – we would enjoy over the next three years.
Coming from a close-knit Caribbean country, we were put very much at ease by the warm welcome that both we, the Belize students, and all of the other international students received in our first days at the University. We three were the first Belizeans to study in the Ashcroft International Business School under the Ashcroft Scholarship, and it was an exhilarating experience of wonderful friendships made and valuable reallife and academic lessons learned. Both of these aspects of our university life we will, I am confident, take with us wherever our lives and careers lead.
A broadened outlook
From a Belizean standpoint, one of the most rewarding aspects of attending university overseas has been gaining the international exposure vital to a broadened mentality, outlook and horizon in business. The experience of having lived in a different culture, along with very many others from different cultures, and the broadening of one’s perspective on life, are two precious elements that we each gained from our university experience in Chelmsford. I think we all agree that we got more than we had been expecting – it wasn’t all fish and chips!
Course flexibility
How well you do at the University depends entirely on how you prepare for tutorials, assignments and exams. You have to be very proactive in your studies. With regard to what I gained from my course pathways, the challenge and flexibility of the course was something of immense value to me.
I chose the corporate management pathway, and being able to select modules that held a personal interest, such as French and law, was a welcome opportunity for someone eager as I am to have a career in international business. For two years after I completed my degree at Anglia Ruskin, I worked as an investment officer at Belize’s trade and investment promotion agency. In this position, I was able to apply the integral management and business knowledge and skills attained at Anglia Ruskin.
I have now moved into the private sector, well prepared to further apply and develop the skills and knowledge I gained at Anglia Ruskin. In addition, the law background acquired is now proving to be a tremendous asset for me as a paralegal student.
A valuable life experience
There is no doubt that we all gained much from our UK and Anglia Ruskin experience. We are grateful to the Ashcroft Foundation for that tremendous opportunity and to our lecturers and the University’s support staff, especially the wonderful people in the library, who all played a part in our Chelmsford, Anglia Ruskin and life experience.
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