Swetha Selvakumar

A day in my life

As a postgraduate student, my days consist of juggling between coursework and my research projects. My mornings are usually slow and give me the time to reflect - this is the time when I also try to get in my workout for the day.

Afternoons are spent at the campus library catching up on my reading material for the module or connecting with my cohort members for group work. As the evening rolls by, I'm settled for my lectures, which are often interactive and filled with engaging discussions.

During my days off, I work on my research projects and find time to unwind with friends over food, which I think is equally important. No two days are the same, but I enjoy working through the new challenges that come my way!

Why Birmingham Dubai?

One of the biggest reasons I chose Birmingham Dubai was the course itself. The modules were curated in a broad and contextual manner, with an emphasis on real-life applications, which I think is crucial in the field of global health.

Moreover, the opportunity to experience and be part of a highly reputable internationally renowned UK University while being able to be close to my family here in the UAE made it a no-brainer decision for me.

I spent the entirety of my childhood living in the capital, Abu Dhabi, so Dubai wasn't all that unfamiliar to me. But experiencing the city as an adult has truly been a life-altering experience. While there are so many new experiences to look forward to, there is quiet familiarity in every corner, which I think makes it feel like home away from home for people of different nationalities.

There are an endless number of places to explore, eat, and shop at, which tend to be quite student-friendly. Since the city itself is a melting pot of various lifestyles, you get to partake in all the different cultures in one city.

Why I chose to study Global Health Systems Leadership at Birmingham Dubai

I opted to apply for this course primarily because it aligned with my professional goals to transition from my clinical background as a dentist to a leadership role within the healthcare sector. The modules offered seemed to be a comprehensive blend of aspects necessary to develop as a knowledgeable health leader, and this positively influenced my decision to choose this course at the University of Birmingham Dubai.

Additionally, the smaller cohorts with faculty flying out from the Edgbaston campus to teach us in person truly reflected the University's commitment to delivering quality education, making sure we do not miss out on the Birmingham experience.

My Birmingham Dubai experience

I would say that my experience as a student at the University of Birmingham Dubai has definitely shaped me into the best version of myself today. One of the best things at the University (apart from its state-of-the-art campus facilities) has got to be the enriching multicultural community that you get to be a part of. It provides you with the opportunity to meet and connect with people from all over the world and gain different perspectives. So not only do you grow as an individual, but you get to improve together, each day.

My favourite spot on campus has to be the self-study areas in the library. I spend so many hours working here as it has a very peaceful ambience. I also love stepping out for fresh air at the DIAC park located right behind the University, especially during summer evenings.

Birmingham Dubai’s impact

One of the best things has to be the scope of exposure provided at the campus. There is always a real-life application to everything we are taught, much beyond the theoretical learning, which encourages us to build on our critical-thinking and problem-solving skills on an everyday basis. By participating in multiple engaging lectures, case studies, discussions and presentations, I have gained invaluable experience which strengthens my confidence and knowledge to hopefully take up leadership roles soon.

I have also had the opportunity to speak as a Youth Panellist for a Global Health Roundtable Panel organised by the University, which allowed me to build connections with global health experts from all over the UAE.

I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship as a recognition of my academic performance during my undergraduate studies, which greatly supported my current journey at the University.

Moreover, I have received various forms of support - meaningful academic guidance from my very friendly and engaging faculty and valuable professional advice from the Careers Network on campus.

Advice for students

My advice for future students would be to wholeheartedly engage with your faculty and peers. Whether that’s asking the smallest of doubts for clarification or collaborating on assignments and presentations. Studying at Birmingham is all about teamwork and learning from one another, and this campus offers the best opportunity to gather insights from people with various backgrounds.

My biggest suggestion would be to put yourselves out there - make new friends, attend events and connect with people outside your domain! The world is a big place, but Birmingham Dubai makes it simpler with its diverse yet welcoming community.