Bryan Usrey

Hi Bryan, how did you hear about the Business School?

Online research and business school rankings were the most influential in my choice to come to Leeds.

Why did you choose the Business School?

When I was communicating with the staff, the responses were almost instant and that's very important to me. In addition, the course seemed to fit with my interests better than the others I had seen.

What appealed to you about the course? What elements of the course inspired you?

The modules were interesting and covered a wide range of elements. Plus, the modules offered a modern take on marketing by incorporating social media and other aspects of digital marketing.

What is the best part of your studies here – what are you enjoying the most?

I loved learning about the different aspects of marketing, and studying them from a different perspective than I was used to. The lecturers were all very friendly and easy to talk to, and my fellow students were very nice and some of the friendships created will last for years.

What are your career aspirations? Do you think your experience and skills gained here will help you in your future career plans? In what way?

I would like to be an academic researcher, which is why I stayed at Leeds to do a PhD. If it wasn't for the International Marketing Management course, I would have never known how much I enjoy marketing and the elements that go into it. Many of the things that I learned on the course have helped me become a good researcher.

Do you have any noteworthy achievements from your study at the Business School that you can tell us about?

I won the Jim Lynch prize from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, which was for the highest overall mark. My second semester group also won the best report in the marketing project module.

If you are not from the UK, how was the transition to a foreign country? Did the University offer support or services that you found helpful? Can you offer any advice?

It was very easy. I don't tend to like to go to others for assistance, so I managed to get settled on my own. It was very easy, even though we had a few bumps along the way. I would be sure to research everything about the area - the banks, where the food stores are, and how long it will take to get to the Business School. Research is key to being prepared before your arrival.

What is your impression/experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the student union, the City of Leeds and the region itself?

The staff were great and very helpful. It was great to get to know them at the social functions and I have had the privilege of working with them during the dissertation. Leeds, as a city, is great. It has everything that a student could ask for, but within walking distance. Compared to London, Leeds offers just as much, but at a lower cost and closer to your doorstep.

What would you say your defining memory of studying here was?

I would say the defining moment would be the growth in confidence that I experienced. I never knew that I could do some of the work that I did, and to a high level. The International Marketing Management course allowed me to gain enough confidence to do a PhD. The friendships that were made were also fantastic and will go on into the future.

Would you recommend the Business School to others?

Yes, very much so.