Giang Tran

Why did you choose to come to Surrey?

I chose the University of Surrey because of its reputation for excellent academic quality and top-notch career and employability services. Surrey Business School holds the top spot in various reputable global university rankings (e.g., the Times Higher Education World Rankings) for business and management-related subjects, and Surrey’s Employability and Careers team was awarded the Best University Careers/Employability Service in the UK. To me, this is an ideal combination, which would be of immeasurable help for me to achieve my future career aspirations.

What was your impression of Surrey?

What most impressed me about Surrey is how it places its students—along with their career objectives and general well-being—at the centre of all activities. It occurs to me that you can seek help and support in Surrey whenever you need thanks to the extensive array of student support services and the qualified staff and facilities’ members.

Why are you passionate about your subject?

"Having worked as a corporate lawyer with a focus on cross-border transactions in Vietnam for more than five years, I looked for a course that could help me gain insights into underlying business issues and commercial purposes driving multinational companies to make investment decisions."

Having worked as a corporate lawyer with a focus on cross-border transactions in Vietnam for more than five years, I looked for a course that could help me gain insights into underlying business issues and commercial purposes driving multinational companies to make investment decisions. Bearing this purpose in mind, I used to find any postgraduate courses in international business quite general and might only be appropriate for those who aspire to become managers or launch their own businesses.

However, the International Business MSc at Surrey particularly piqued my interest due to its distinctive modules and strong emphasis on business strategies. So far, the course has given me with more knowledge and insights about global business environments than I had anticipated, and I am confident in saying that the International Business MSc at Surrey is truly beneficial to anyone who wishes to work in a multinational context, regardless of which roles you aspire to.

What do you like about your course?

I like the course’s strong emphasis on strategy aspects in the global context, which set the International Business Management MSc at Surrey apart from most other postgraduate programmes in international business offered by other institutions and gives students an advantage in a variety of career prospects.  

In addition, the course has been more enjoyable for me due to the perfect alignment of the modules taught during a given semester. It appears to me that the teaching sequences and course materials are well thought out, enabling you to apply any new information or abilities you have gained from one module to another right away. This approach is extremely practical and would support you to readily apply knowledge to a real-life working environment.

What are the academic staff and facilities like on your course?

"From my experience so far, the academic staff and facilities at Surrey always prioritise students. They are not hesitant to change their teaching styles or lecture-delivery methods to suit each group of students."

Further, the diversity of the academic staff and facilities foster a diversity of thoughts and helps to bridge cultural gaps between students from various backgrounds. This has made all my classes at Surrey so far more engaging and approachable.

What course(s) did you study before, and where did you study?

I completed by bachelor’s degree in international business and trade law at Hanoi Law University, Vietnam, in 2017. I then completed the one-year lawyer training course at the Vietnam Judicial Academy in 2019 while continuing to work full-time as a corporate lawyer with a focus on cross-border transactions. I got my lawyer practising license to become a qualified lawyer in 2021.

Have you lived in University accommodation? If so, what is/was it like?

I am living at Manor Park – one of Surrey’s student accommodations with my husband, who is reading for his Master of Laws degree in London. We both genuinely believe that deciding to live on campus was one of our best decisions. The accommodation fee is reasonable while the room is fully furnished with new facilities.

What’s the best thing about living in University accommodation?

"The best thing is that you can find all the assistance you need (from repairing your microwave to requesting postal services or asking for well-being support) in a timely, competent, and diligent manner. As a foreign student coming to the UK for the first time, this support and assistance have made my first weeks in the UK much easier."

What are the best things about life in general at Surrey?

You can find all amenities (from hospitals to supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and sports parks) within walking distance! It is also worth mentioning the great transportation link from the University campus and accommodation to international airports and to London and other cities, which encourage you to travel and discover UK and open to you more job opportunities.

How do you spend your time on campus?

I enjoy discovering all the campus’s hidden gems with my friends. Besides the popular yet lovely spots like the lake or vibrant coffee shops, the University campus offers a lot of green spaces, and simply lying there and having a good chat with your friends would definitely make your day.

Do you feel supported at university?

Yes. The way Surrey prioritises its students’ academic success, professional goals, and general well-being at the centre of all activities is what most impressed me. I have easy access to a variety of supports in various forms, ranging from academic to well-being and career support (by academic staff, personal tutors, and peer support or by professional services at MySurrey Hive or Centre for Wellbeing).

What careers support have you received?

The University of Surrey has provided me with a variety of career support services, including career fairs and workshops, seminars on sharing industry experience, and one-on-one counselling with Surrey’s Employability and Careers Service Team. What has been benefiting me the most is the Surrey Pathfinder, a fantastic digital hub that keeps me up to date with the latest information on job openings or career training workshops and helps me organise my development journey.

How do you think your time at Surrey has impacted your employability once you graduate?

I believe that the time at Surrey would give me the upper hand in terms of future opportunities.

The unique management- and strategy-focused modules of the International Business Management MSc provide knowledge and skills that are extremely transferable and helpful in a variety of jobs in the multinational business context.

"The teaching approach, which combines theoretical knowledge and practical experience, guides students how to quickly apply the learnt knowledge in a real-world working environment."

Finally, the career support services would help you to find your own way to become the best candidate in any job since your very first day at Surrey.

Do you have any advice for students thinking about postgraduate study?

I would recommend the University of Surrey to any prospective student looking for a unique yet vibrant learning environment to flourish and support their future. At the University of Surrey, you will find yourselves at the heart of every activity (from teaching to career and well-being supporting activities), which is a great opportunity for any student to explore their best selves and get prepared for the long-term career journey.

Do you think you’ve changed since you started at Surrey? How?

The knowledge and experience that I gain so far at Surrey has enlightened new ways that I can thrive in my legal career. For example, the Global Strategy module, which delves into the drivers of corporations' strategies, has given me the knowledge to comprehend multinational corporations and how I, in the role of a lawyer, could provide them with better legal advice.