The Indian Student's Playbook: Navigating Education from Bangalore to Warwick

I’m Samantha George and am currently a Market Development Executive at Acclime in London. I got into this line of work after my Master of Management at The Warwick Business School, UK. I spoke with Leap about my journey for their expert student series -Indians who had studied abroad recently and are still in that country pursuing their dreams because I want to help others wanting to take the same career jump that I made.

Q: Why did you choose the UK for your masters?

To be honest, I've always wanted to study abroad, and the UK just felt right. I went there once for a holiday and completely fell in love with the place and the people. Warwick University was particularly special - they offered me a scholarship, and their MSc in Management is ranked among the top in the UK. The Warwick Business School is pretty much one of the best business schools, and I've always had a passion for business. I knew I wanted to be in a client-facing role where I could talk to people and do different things every day, and a business degree seemed to provide just that opportunity.

Q: Did you consider other countries?

Obviously, when you're graduating, you think about all the options. Canada and Australia definitely came up in my considerations. The US was never really on my radar because it was too far away from home. With Canada, I discovered they wanted me to do an additional year because of my three-year undergraduate degree, which I didn't want. Australia seemed pretty expensive compared to the UK. Plus, the UK felt closer to home and has a large Indian community, which made me feel more integrated in the system.

Q: How much did studying abroad cost you?

I'm not entirely sure about the current rates, but when I went, my course was ₹25-30 lakh, and my living costs were about ₹25 lakh. I wasn't just sitting idle though - I was working part-time as a voiceover artist, converting my Indian rupees and managing my expenses. I would definitely recommend students going abroad to take up a part-time job or find some kind of side hustle to help sustain themselves.

Q: What were your monthly living expenses?

I was pretty strategic about my spending. I picked accommodation close to the university, paying around 140 pounds per week. Groceries were about 25-30 pounds weekly. If you're really tight on budget, about 600-700 pounds monthly could work, but ideally, you should have around 8-10 thousand pounds to have some breathing room and savings. It's not about spending lavishly, but about being smart with your money.

Q: How did you find a job after graduating?

It was a lot of hard work, to be honest. I graduated in January and found a job in March. During that waiting period, I worked as a waitress - and let me tell you, it's not as glamorous as the movies make it seem! I was applying to jobs every single day, probably around 150-200 applications. I was constantly tailoring my CV, crafting specific cover letters, and exploring every possible network - LinkedIn, Bright HR, you name it. I was passionate about the marketing role I eventually secured, and I knew it aligned closely with the professional services and client-facing field I was interested in.

Q: What are your top CV tips?

Here's the thing - you need to tailor your CV for every single job application. Include as many numbers and percentages as you can. If you've increased sales by a certain percentage, put that down. Make sure your CV is ATS-friendly - these are tracking systems that look for specific keywords. Most UK jobs receive around 100 applications, so you need to get past that initial screening. Remove any points that aren't relevant to the job you're applying for, even if you're proud of that experience.

Q: What advice do you have for students thinking of studying abroad?

My biggest piece of advice is simple - nothing is going to be handed to you. If you want something, you've got to work hard for it. I truly believe that only highly motivated people with a single-minded focus should go abroad, especially if you're looking for a job. Don't even give your brain the option of a plan B, because the moment you do, you'll become complacent. It's tough, really tough, but if you have a good support system and you back yourself up, you can absolutely do it.

Q: Any regrets from your experience?

Always have some! I wish I had joined more university clubs. As a master's student, I didn't think it was necessary, but in retrospect, I should have been more involved. I'd recommend getting accommodation on campus if possible - the vibe is different, and trust me, you don't want to be traveling when it gets cold!

Q: Did you miss anything from home?

The food! Oh my goodness, everything is just salt and pepper there, and even the curries are sweet. I didn't know how to cook when I went, but I came back almost like an expert chef. Well, maybe not an expert, but I can definitely manage and cook a few things for myself now.