Parveen Sultana, a University College London student
I attended several schools across the country and finished my secondary education in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. During my early education, I was inspired by my older sister’s ambition to become a doctor. Following in her footsteps, I set my sights on a career in medicine, however, I could clear the medical entrance test for admission in undergraduate courses.
Rather than letting this setback define my education and career, I pivoted to biomedical engineering — an intersection of healthcare and technology — where I found a new way to contribute to the field of medical science.
I opted for an MBA abroad as I realised that leadership isn’t just about knowing the industry inside out — it’s about understanding people, decision-making, and the bigger picture of how businesses operate. I wanted to sharpen my ability to lead teams, drive strategy, and make high-impact business decisions.
An MBA abroad stood out because of the exposure — it’s a melting pot of industries, cultures, and ways of thinking — pushing me to think beyond familiar markets, work with people from completely different backgrounds, and build a network that stretches beyond borders.
How did I shortlist University College London
Shortlisting my university and course was a mix of strategy, a lot of preparation, and a good amount of late-night Googling. I looked at MBAs with strong healthcare modules, compared global rankings, and read through endless student experiences to get a sense of how each program approached leadership in healthcare.
University College London UCL Global Business School for Health (GBSH) MBA stood out because it was designed specifically for professionals looking to lead in healthcare industries, and is unique in approaching healthcare leadership through a business and management lens. Aiming to give graduates the economic grounding and business acumen to tackle the biggest healthcare challenges of our age from an entirely new perspective.
Another big factor was location. London is a global hub for healthcare innovation, home to major MedTech, Pharma, and health policy institutions. That meant networking, exposure, and opportunities beyond the classroom.
Application process
Applying for the UCL MBA Health was a journey that took a lot of planning, reflection, and quite a bit of trial and error. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes—it was about making sure my application truly reflected who I was and why I wanted to be there. The first step was research. I went deep into program details, faculty, course structures, and alumni experiences.
The Statement of Purpose was probably the most challenging yet rewarding part. I spent weeks refining mine — making sure it highlighted my journey from biomedical engineering to product management, my leadership experiences, and, most importantly, why this MBA was the logical next step for me.
For the letters of recommendation, I reached out to people who had seen me grow — mentors, managers, and professors who could speak to my leadership potential and impact in the healthcare space.
I got the interview invite. I reflected that the conversation was not just an evaluation — it felt like a discussion with people who genuinely wanted to understand my vision.
New country experience
Landing in London for the MBA felt like stepping into a new chapter — exciting, a little overwhelming, but mostly just surreal. The first few days involved campus exploration, grocery shopping basics (discovering Aldi and Sainsbury's), and forming connections with fellow students.
Finding accommodation at UCL was one of the smoothest things about moving to London. I think that there are great options near campus, like Bloomsbury.
The real adventure, though, began with groceries. Grocery shopping introduced both challenges and discoveries, from navigating numerous options to managing currency conversions. The variety in British supermarkets proved overwhelming at first.
Even though I thought I was decent at managing money, London has been a whole new level of financial enlightenment. The trick, I have learned, is to be conscious about where your money goes—events, socials, and nights out are all part of the experience, but spacing them out helps avoid the dreaded end-of-the-month crisis where you’re living off instant noodles. I have also discovered the beauty of student discounts—flashing that UCL ID at stores, restaurants, and even museums is a life hack that saves you more than you’d expect.
Financial management took on new dimensions in London. Student discounts became essential, and balancing social activities with budget constraints required careful planning. The city's residents often displayed unexpected kindness — from free coffees to assistance with luggage on the Tube — making the transition smoother.
While part-time work proved impractical due to the MBA's intensive structure, with five days of classes plus assignments and group projects. I have been volunteering — not just as a way to give back, but also as a way to gain new perspectives, meet people outside my usual circles, and remind myself why I got into healthcare in the first place.
Campus life
The UCL East campus in Stratford impresses with its modern design and facilities. The main building features a striking globe centrepiece, while the executive suite provides excellent study spaces. The entire campus has a very open, airy feel, with big glass windows, collaborative spaces, and an executive suite for the MBA program that’s sleek, well-equipped, and honestly, just a great place to sit down and get work done.
The surrounding area offers numerous amenities, including Westfield Mall and the Olympic Park. The bridge over the lake near the building serves as a peaceful retreat for reflection, particularly beautiful during sunrise and sunset. Transportation proves straightforward, with excellent Tube connections making commuting simple and efficient.
Comparing both countries, the difference I found isn’t just about India versus London — it’s also about undergraduate versus postgraduate. Back in India, undergraduate studies were more structured — lectures, notes, and exams that tested how well you could absorb information. Here, at a postgraduate level, it's all about discussions, debates, and applying concepts in real-world scenarios. There’s no single “right” answer — just well-reasoned arguments and critical thinking.
The diversity in class makes it even more interesting. It isn't just learning from professors but from peers with completely different industry experiences and global perspectives.
Your future plans
I plan to return to India, viewing my international education as preparation for creating meaningful impact in the evolving healthcare sector. When I step back into corporate, consultancy, or public health, the goal remains the same—to drive meaningful impact in a system that’s constantly evolving.
Studying abroad isn’t about just leaving—it’s about learning how things work on a global scale, understanding best practices, and then adapting those insights to create something valuable back home.
I think that the real value of studying abroad lies in exposure — to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and ways of problem-solving that you may never have encountered before. Engage deeply, not just with coursework but with people. Conversations outside the classroom often hold as much weight as those within it. Be curious, ask the difficult questions, and lean into the discomfort of uncertainty—it’s where the most growth happens.
(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)
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