Preparing for my year abroad in Australia

Grace Vauve Smith is studying BSc Business Management (including a year abroad) at Essex Business School and is due to graduate in 2028.

What drew you to study BSc Business Management at Essex Business School, and has the course met your expectations so far?

Originally, university was a last choice; it was something I assumed I wouldn’t find myself amongst. Business has always been my passion, and every day since year 9 I pictured myself as a trillionaire, with aspirations to work as my own boss due to being unhappy with the options I had in front of me in a careers meeting. Though I am less extreme now, I have never lost my spark for business and choosing a university route to not only have a deeper understanding of management, but also to connect with and meet people who have the same mindset as me.

My degree has lived up to my expectations so far, from the quality of teaching to the skills that I have gained. It has been a valuable experience, and my academic and personal growth reflect my ambition to do well in my degree.

What has been your favourite module so far?

Leadership in organisations has, without a doubt, been my favourite module. The content inspires me to think critically about my own leadership style and how I can continue to develop it. The seminars have engaged the entire class to work as one, which is refreshing, and our module leader is an incredible communicator who creates these environments.

How did you find adjusting to university-level work and study?

Don’t get me wrong, my first year reflected a typical fresher at university. The transition took time and a lot of personal patience, but after trial and error, I had managed to identify what the university expected of me in terms of grades, essays and attendance. My second year has had a complete turnaround. I am so proud of my grades and confidence in doing well.

Tell us about any societies, clubs, or volunteering you are involved in?

I had recently been involved in the Essex Start-Ups Thrive programme for freelancers, and the opportunity to be in a room full of creative and motivated individuals was truly inspiring. Though I didn’t pitch an idea, this gave me insight as to what the judges look for, which will help me with future ideas.

I have also recently just completed a Languages for All French programme, which at first, I doubted myself to push myself outside of my course limits, but it turns out I made friends with a group of extremely funny people and got taught by a teacher who wants nothing but the best for her students.

Commuting really limits my ability to join societies, I have always wanted to, but alignment can be difficult.

What excites you most about living and studying in a completely new environment, and how do you think the experience might change your perspective on the world?

Studying in a new environment involves a mix of independence and new experiences, which has excited me the most because home life and uni life are separate from one another. I love my friendships, both social friends and course friends, and the candid moments that form from making new friends. Spontaneous plans and uni nights out are the moments that often mean the most to me.

My perspective has already started changing, I live by ‘embarrassment is a choice’ and I have realised that surrounding yourself with the right people, motifs and support can really be uplifting. I believe that when I graduate, my perspective on the world will be directed towards focusing on making my business dreams a reality, and I will forever remain highly spirited and ambitious.

Many students say one of the biggest challenges abroad is building friendships and feeling at home in a new city. How are you hoping to connect with people and create a sense of belonging during your year away?

I am fortunate enough to have friends around Melbourne currently. I do, however, plan to grow my circle beyond people I already know. I think building new friendships is a daunting thing, especially at the age of 20, when my inner circle is very much defined. I am not a stranger to making friends, and I cannot wait to find my people in Australia. Navigating the country and finding my belonging will take a while, but I have a bucket list with one of my friends to make the transition much easier.

Looking ahead, what skills or personal growth do you hope to gain from your year abroad that will shape your future career or ambitions?

I am looking to boost a new version of independence, to prove to myself I can do anything. I also want to be able to take risks and leave my comfort zone, whether that is in my studies, social life or career decisions. This will help me shape my personal development, but will teach me to trust my own judgement.

How has maintaining your blog helped you continue developing skills such as writing, creative marketing, and personal branding?

Writing regularly has allowed me to continue a great passion of mine, as I have always loved to write, but never found where I could continue, especially not on a public level. The creative marketing side has allowed me control, whether through the structure of a post or making content engaging for those I target. My blog page allows me to subtly develop the skills needed for my future business plans. My personal branding has also allowed me to reflect the version of myself I see in the mirror, shaping my values and how I want to be perceived, and of course, everything is PINK!

Can you tell us about any engagement you’ve had with the careers team or Essex Abroad team that has helped you with your next steps?

The Essex Start Ups team have given incredible advice and support when thinking about my next steps. They have taken my ideas seriously and considered how I could create them into reality, which has been very motivating. Their guidance has encouraged me to think beyond just my blog, and they have given insight into how I can expand my ideas.

What are your plans for graduation?

After graduation, I want to focus on building my professional career that reflects who I am and what I enjoy. I hope to pursue either a workplace postgraduate job that I can build upon my own enterprises alongside, or take an additional leap in university studies and complete a postgraduate degree in a creative field.