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I am Christabel Naadu Fry Nartey from Accra, Ghana. I have now graduated from the MSc International Business Finance and Economics programme at UEA (2024/2025 academic year).
I am currently working as a teaching assistant at a school in Norwich.
My programme choice at UEA started as something that wasn’t part of my original plan. I initially applied for a Finance course at UEA and a few other universities. While the other universities offered me Finance, UEA offered me a combination of Finance with Economics, placing me in the School of Economics.
When I revisited my personal statement, I realised that my essay naturally reflected my passion for Economics. Even though I studied Finance for my undergraduate degree, I had always felt a strong connection to Economics since high school. UEA recognised that alignment, even before I did, and placed me in a programme that suited me perfectly. That decision stood out to me because it showed that UEA pays attention to applicants and doesn’t just fill numbers.
My experience at UEA was truly rewarding, both academically and personally. I met wonderful course mates from diverse backgrounds. Though our conversations were sometimes brief, they were always respectful, meaningful, and kind. I had the privilege of learning from exceptional lecturers who taught with such passion and depth that anything less than a distinction would not have felt right. Their support and enthusiasm made every lecture engaging and every challenge worthwhile.
Academically, I’m proud to have graduated with distinction in both my modules and dissertation. One of my proudest achievements was having my assignment in the Multinational Firms module, taught by the inspirational Dr Bahar Ghezelayagh, recognised as the best. It is now set to be published in the Norwich Economic Publications. My dissertation was another major milestone that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I had to master rigorous time-series concepts and conduct in-depth literature research, but with Dr Jibonayan's exceptional supervision, I succeeded.
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Beyond the classroom, UEA offered experiences that helped me grow personally and professionally. One of the highlights of my time there was an alumni trip to London. Hearing from former students who had faced the same uncertainties I once felt was incredibly inspiring. Their stories reminded me that success begins with identifying your interests, taking the first step, and trusting the support along the way. UEA continues to provide that support, even for alumni, through career services and networking events such as the barbecue event.
My future plan is to pursue a PhD while gaining further industry experience in Economics or Finance through part time research related roles.
Coming from Ghana, with an educational background different from the UK system, I can confidently say that if I was able to excel at UEA, anyone from any background can do the same. At UEA, you will find lecturers who listen, care, and a university where you truly matter to them.