I finished my five-year combined degree program in Russia in order to be a teacher of technology and enterprise. However, after that I worked as a project manager in a direct-marketing agency and then as a direct-marketing manager in a publishing company. After a while, I decided I needed more knowledge in marketing area.
I wanted to study abroad in order to have wider perspective in business area and also to improve my English. Thus, I went to an agency, which was advised by my relative.
After explaining my needs, my agent and I started to search for a nationally recognised University in the English speaking country with a strong business education base.
Charles Sturt University was one of those Universities which met my requirements. Also, the prices are very competitive and is centrally located in Sydney which allowed me to combine studying, working and resting at the beaches.
Most of all I enjoyed my marketing subjects, as I am really passionate about marketing. The good thing was that at the Masters level most of the lectures have essential experience within the area they teach. Thus, I had chances to ask questions, which I was interested in, to professionals, who used to work in the past or continued to work as marketers.
As students at CSU come from different countries and have different experience background, by studying together and sharing knowledge, we really got a broad perspective of different areas of business. Also, we had a chance to establish international business connections and start to operate globally.
One of the most interesting experiences I had was working on the marketing management assignment, where we had to chose any company in Sydney and write about internal marketing in it. It was a very difficult task for me as I just came to the country and was not familiar with an educational system and format of our assignments. Also, I was a bit shy to talk to unknown people in those companies I went to.
However, most Aussies were very friendly and open minded. As a matter of fact, in one company the marketing manager went through assignment task with me and explained what I had to do. It was so nice and unexpected.
After I finish my studying in CSU I can continue work marketing or start teaching as I now have education in both areas, which support each other.
In future I see myself as a marketer, who teaches new generations through a global perspective of working in business.
I do not have too much free time, as I study full time and also work part time. However, I like to go to the beaches and walk in the parks of Sydney and near Opera House and Darling Harbour.
Sydney is a big city, which combine civic and nature. The greatest thing I have experienced here is that you can feed possums and see bats in the centre of city, for example, in Hyde Park.
If I do not write my assignments, I like to go to the cinema or make BBQ with my classmates.
Studying in CSU is a good option for those ready to challenge themselves with a new cultural environment with small classes and good access to lecturers. You need to prepare yourself to be serious during all the course, as passing the subjects is not so easy; however, it is possible through your hard work.
