Fernando H. Barrera Alonso
M.Sc. in Project Planning and Management
(2001-2002)

 When someone asks me about my experience as a postgraduate student in the UK, I always say that it was one of the most remarkable in my life.

And I don't just relate it to the experience of undertaking specialised studies in order to broaden my knowledge and foster a different way to understand topics; but to improve as well my performance at work.

I also remark that this experience, and the opportunity I had to live abroad and get in touch with people from many different places, with diverse cultural backgrounds, gives you a different way to see life.

When I decided to study abroad, many questions emerged: What to study? Why? Where? How would I reach this?

The answers to these questions are very important, as they will define in a greater part your success in this endeavour.

I think choosing Bradford answered the four in one, and I would like to share my experience with the Chevening community by answering these questions.

I am a civil engineer graduated in Mexico, mainly involved in infrastructure projects, and before leaving for the UK, working in environmental projects in the US-Mexico border region. This made me look after a postgraduate program related with projects, but at the same time I wanted to broaden my spectrum of knowledge; in other words, I was after a program with a good blend of technical and social issues. By surfing the web I focused on UK Universities because I could speak English well and reviewed many study plans. I found that the M.Sc. in Project Planning and Management taught in the University of Bradford met this expectation. This degree is taught at the Bradford Centre for International Development (BCID), well known for its research in development issues and with a good reputation abroad. BCID staff profile was at the time, also very attractive to me, and very supportive during the registration process.

Firstly, I submitted my application form with all documentation required to three universities: University of Bradford, University of Leeds and University of Manchester; regardless my first choice was Bradford for the reasons I have explained before.

I met all their requirements and got an acceptance letter from the registration office, which was one of the main points to consider in order to apply for a Chevening Scholarship.

Once I was accepted, I applied by mid September (2000) for a scholarship. I submitted my application fulfilling all the requirements, and two months later, they scheduled me an interview with personnel at the Embassy. I attended and by February (2001) the British Council sent me a letter saying I was a reserve candidate. They encouraged me to improve my language marks in order to be aware for extra positions. I improved my marks on IELTS and by mid June (2001) they awarded me as a firm candidate for a Chevening scholarship.

I can say it was an excellent choice as studying at BCID met my expectations on what to study and why.

My choice was very rewarding. At Bradford, the student environment is very comfortable and the organisation of events by the University before seriously starting academic activities, helped students very much in many aspects surrounding their academic life. Freshers' week put you in touch with many of those aspects: accommodation, community, sports, religion, friends, academic services, to mention just some of them. I would say this stage is very important to ensure overall success during your studies. The course started in September 2001, and finished in September 2002, after submitting a written dissertation. I was awarded the degree on December 5th, 2002.

The city of Bradford is as well a very convenient place, as it is quite cheap, but at the same time, provides you with all the services you need, and a very vigorous cultural life, with a strong influence of Islamic culture. From my point of view, Mexico's society is very homogeneous (more than 90% of the population is catholic, the vast majority speaks Spanish, and its culture is very influenced by the West). Living in Bradford for more than a year, definitely made an important change in my mind, as well as understanding in its widest sense, the phenomena of globalisation, but reinforcing in me values like tolerance and acceptance to diversity.

Nowadays, I preserve close friendship with many people I met there, and share continuous experiences.

Bradford is as well strategically located in the centre of Great Britain, which allows you to reach any point of the country, quite easily. It is also surrounded by beautiful places that are no more than a 2-hour trip by coach or train away, like Leeds, Manchester, York, Harrogate, Shipley, Saltaire.

All these things made this experience one that I will always recall as one of the best in my whole life.

It is also worth mentioning, that British Council staff are very supportive. A person from the Manchester Office visited students at campus at least once a month in order to pick up impressions and to monitor if everything is going fine with you, not only in the academic but in your daily life. They also have a 24-hour phone-line available, to support you wherever you are in the UK.

At the moment I work in PEMEX, the state owned oil company in Mexico, in the office engaged in projects of gas processor plants, refineries and petrochemical complexes, and the baggage of studying and living in England, have been very important in my daily work.

It is also very pleasant to regularly keep in touch with the Chevening community, at the events organised by the British Embassy through the Chevening Relations Office.

I hope sharing this experience with the Chevening community will enhance interest and strengthen ties among members and prospective students.