From India to the UK newsroom: How one UEA international student switched careers and landed a journalism role in London
By: Communications
An international student has embarked on the next chapter of her career in the media landscape, after graduating this summer from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Rithula Nisha, who is from Kerala, India, initially built her career working as a product development engineer in Bangalore.
After making the decision to change pathways, she moved to Norwich to study for a Master's degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at UEA – enabling her to live and study in the UK while gaining hands-on experience to prepare for her future career.
Now working in London as a project editor in tech, AI and cyber at Bizclik, Rithula reflects on what inspired her to choose the University, her experience of living in Norwich, and the moments from her course that left a lasting impact.
What inspired you to choose UEA for your MA in Broadcast Journalism, and what were you hoping to achieve when you started?
“When looking to start my MA, I had a few things in mind. The campus had to inspire creativity, and the programme had to have a good curriculum. When I first saw pictures of UEA, I was immediately taken by the beautiful green campus with a river that flows through it, which I have to say is even better in real life!
“Since I was making a career switch from engineering to journalism, my course had to be beginner friendly and extremely practical to give me the best shot at landing a job after university – conditions the Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism course easily met.
“Furthermore, Norwich itself felt like a quaint medieval city with a lot of history and even more greenery, and I couldn't wait to move here!
“Once I started, I was hoping to learn and practice good quality journalism from tutors who all had industry experience, to prepare for a real-world newsroom.”
How has the course helped shape your writing and creative practice?
“The course has helped me be more confident as a person. This is evident in my writing as well. Working as a project editor, I have now written over a thousand pieces of published website and magazine articles.
“I still follow the narrative arc taught by my professors, with enough confidence to occasionally break the rules too (when called for or simply for dramatic effect).”
Learn more about Journalism at UEA
Can you share a standout moment or experience from your time at UEA that had a lasting impact on you?
“I had many valuable moments at UEA, be it visiting the courts for ongoing trials or interviewing people from different walks of life – including the Norwich South MP, asylum seekers, nursery school teachers, buskers, professors and industry executives to name a few.
“But of all the assignments I was given, nothing excited me more than video projects. I learned that I loved to script for video features, find interesting shots and lay them all down to create an exciting, coherent narrative.
“As someone who started journalism from scratch without knowing what to do or specialise in, I got to figure out by experimenting with the parts of the field that best suited me.”
What has it been like living and studying in Norwich as an international student from India?
“I love Norwich. It is a city with a lot of character. Small enough to explore on foot and even better with my bike.
“Coming from the lush greenery of the Western Ghats in tropical India, I easily felt at home in Norwich – a buzzing city centre with buskers and many hidden gems. I enjoyed an inspiring year in the city.”
What are the most valuable skills or perspectives you’ve gained during your time here?
“I've learned many things from my UEA lecturers at Broadcast House including how to use basic equipment, interview people, write news, edit audio and video, and how to find fresh new stories.
“If I had to pick one thing that I learned, it would be that journalism is a lot about asking the right questions to the right people at the right time.”
What are your plans after graduation, and how has UEA helped prepare you for them?
“I'm currently working now; I was lucky enough to get a job soon after my classes were completed. I’m hoping to excel professionally and build a strong career going forward.
“I believe that my professors at UEA have already equipped me with the skills needed to find my path in this field. I just need to get there.”
What would you say to students in India considering studying Journalism at UEA?
“I'd tell them to come on in! It is a small cohort at UEA, which means that each professor will pay individual attention to your needs and is able to put in that extra care to support you in areas that you need help with.
“They are always available to chat and are extremely friendly, have tonnes of experience to share and have your best interests at heart. Especially now that the course is accredited, it will be even better for students to get additional training and improve employability.”
What’s next for you after graduation? Where is your future heading?
“My dream for the future is to be known for my creativity and my work. This is something I'm slowly building towards. Having won the National Royal Television Society Award, I hope this will support me as I look for more opportunities to deliver good quality journalism.”
Image L-R: Broadcast and Digital Journalism graduate Natalia Makohon with Rithula Nisha; Rithula at the Royal Television Society Awards (credit: Julian Sturdy)
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