Lahek Mirapuri

A day in my life

To be honest, no two days are ever the same. I’m usually up by 8 am for a 9 am class. I make breakfast, get ready with my roommate, pack a bunch of snacks and lunch and start walking to campus for my lecture.

During breaks, with my friends I go down to the Spanish Steps as there’s sometimes a pop-up event, some freebies to collect, or otherwise we munch for a bit.

Once class is over, I’d stay back for a while either to clear some doubts with my professor, play cards with my friends or get some work done at the library. Then I’d head back to my room, freshen up and call up my mom/dad while I eat my lunch or prepare ingredients for my dinner.

In the evenings, I’d spend time chilling with my roommate and hit the gym or get groceries, then get ready to play tennis at the park until 9 pm. Then I’m back in my room, showered, and having cooked a hot meal for myself, which I enjoy with an old show or movie to wind down.

Why Birmingham Dubai?

Birmingham was my top choice as it was one of the few unis which offered a pure BSc in economics, which is also triple crown accredited.

I was very drawn to the campus as well; it is beautifully designed, quite spacious with a lot of outdoor spaces, and the community was very welcoming.

I visited the on-campus Open Days to meet the professors, clear any doubts, and look into similar courses to compare and contrast before making a final decision.

Why did you choose to live and study in Dubai?

I was born and brought up in Dubai. I chose to stay here to make it big in the city that watched and supported me in every step through my journey from a curious young girl to a confident, well-spoken woman. It feels like giving back to the only place I can truly call home.

Staying close to my friends and family meant I could spend more quality time with them and create priceless memories for some more time till ultimately, we all go our separate ways.

What made Birmingham Dubai the right place to study Economics?

By Year 12 in school, I was developing a very strong interest for Economics, and studying for it never quite felt like studying for it. I could see its frameworks in the world around me, and I loved being challenged in every essay as every policy decision has such a ripple effect across the economy.

Birmingham Dubai’s BSc Economics consisted of all the modules I was interested in - equipping me with diverse skills and knowledge that make me versatile, giving me the freedom to choose a non-linear career path.

The degree also gives me access to Bloomberg Terminal on campus, which I’d like to use to leverage my skills to meet my dream of working at Bloomberg post-graduation.

My Birmingham Dubai experience

My circle at Birmingham Dubai is pretty close and tight-knit, and I like it that way, post or between lectures you’d find us playing cards or a game of table tennis. Fridays tend to be the shortest at uni, a perfect day for bowling or a lunch out.

Playing tennis with the team is my favourite club activity – it’s three times a week from 7 pm to 9 pm at the DIAC court, you’ll catch me there. There are a lot more people I interact with at the court, from different backgrounds and years of study, so it’s very refreshing to play a competitive game with them.

I love heading to the mall nearby as well! For shopping solo or with my roommate. The weekends I spend at home with my family, I typically order a hot cheese manakish and shawarma takeout from Al Mallah; it’s been my comfort food for as long as I can remember.

Birmingham Dubai’s impact

I received a lot of help and support from the careers services in terms of getting my CV polished to a professional level. It was something I really struggled with, but I received a lot of invaluable guidance from the team.

I was also awarded a merit scholarship, based on my high school grades. I was awarded a 30% scholarship with an additional 5% for coming from a GEMS school.

Advice for students

• Take your time finding friends! You really don't have to rush it at all. It takes time and effort to try to get to know people well enough to know if they'll be compatible with you or not.
• Go out more often with your friends and family. Make a lot of memories - this is something we missed this year due to the regional conflict and distance learning.
• Ensure you have a mentor or connect with seniors doing your degree, as their advice is very useful for assignment submissions and exam prep!