Student
Profiles |
Bangladesh
Lutfar Rahman Bagdadi
Lutfar is a 22-year-old student currently studying for a BSc (Hons) in Computing.
Like many international students, he chose the UK because of our globally recognised and respected degrees plus the quality of the education he would receive here. Lutfar’s view: “As well as gaining an internationally renowned education in Britain, you can boost your career prospects and earn good money when your studies are complete.”
He is also impressed with our multicultural society “…where people of every religions live peacefully and happily together. I value being able to study in a safe but stimulating environment and the UK is the only place you can do it.”
A big plus factor for Lutfar is the fact that he is allowed to work part-time as a student in the UK under the terms of his visa, for up to 20 hours a week: “This helps a lot for the international student’s parents back home” says Lutfar. And while other people might take it for granted, as an international student he was also attracted to the individual rights and social freedoms that Britain offers: “Finally, I would like to say that the UK is the country of royal justice.”
Why did Lutfar choose to come to Leeds Met in particular to study?
“Leeds Met is one of the most popular and best internationally-focussed universities in the UK. It has a large number of international students and offers a wide range of courses. I chose it because it because I found what looked like the most suitable course for me, but now that I’m actually studying it I think I am really falling in love with it! It has a strong and experienced faculty and I can honestly say that they are so helpful to me that I will be ever grateful to them. They are eagerly ready to help you whenever you need.” One of the key factors for Lutfar in choosing to come to study at this university was, however, his future: “ One of the most important reasons to choose Leeds Met is that it has one of the highest graduate employment rates of all universities.”
International students face many challenges in living in another country. Adapting to another culture and society as a ‘foreigner’ and learning all the different ways of doing things can be very daunting, particularly the ‘official’ aspects of being a student. But Lutfar has found the university’s staff to be very helpful to him in advising and assisting: “Leeds Met provide excellent services for the international student. When I needed to extend my visa, I went to the International Student Welfare Officer and she did everything to help me. I have never felt insecure studying at Leeds Met.”
He also enjoys being a member of Leeds Met’s Student Union: ”By the help of the Students Union I have doing some interesting social and cultural work. Sometimes I have also been on study tours arranged by the Students Union and as a member I also have the right to vote for Representatives – other students who are the voice of all Leeds Met students within the University.”
Like many international students Lutfar likes the fact that
the University has its own Job Shop, an employment agency which
helps students find suitable part-time work in many different
companies and organisations across the city.
And when it comes to work placements, which are an essential
part of Lutfar’s studies, he is glad that his School will
find a suitable opportunity for him: “When I have finished
my second year, the University will find a 48-week work placement
for me. It will help me gain work experience and real knowledge
about the real job world. It is a challenge for us how we use
our book knowledge in the real work situation. It will also help
us make our career decisions.”
Meanwhile he is enjoying his course: “As a student of computing we have a wide range of subjects. In the first year, we had an Introduction to Programming, Systems Analysis, Database Management, System Networking and Case Studies. The most effective subject was Case Studies because it helped me a lot to develop my individual skills. Basically, in this subject, we were five students in a group working on the problems presented by the case study. This subject helped us to develop our skills to work in a team, which is a most important thing for our future careers.”
Thankfully, life isn’t all about work and study however,
and Lutfar is enjoying the facilities that both the University
and the City of Leeds offer:
“
Leeds Met has a big sports facility. It has a gym, swimming pool,
tennis courts and football ground. I have to pay only £30
to use these facilities for one year.
“Leeds is a very nice and peaceful place to live. It has lovely natural beauty and wonderful student life. (Leeds is mainly called ‘the Student City’.)It has some lovely Indian restaurants, which I like most. It has all kinds of shopping centres and stores like Gap, H&M, Next, Dixon’s and HMV for music. It also has a big movie centre called Ster Century and I go to see a movie every month. Leeds has some historical places as well. I find myself very comfortable living in Leeds.
“I live in Beeston, a district of Leeds 11. Most of the Asian people live there. We rented a house and we are four people living together. They are all my friends and it is not too expensive. We have to pay £320 a month in rent and we cook our own food. It takes 30 minutes to get to the University campus from there.”
When it comes to daily life on campus Lutfar is pleased with
the facilities the University offers its students:
“
It has a big library, enough computer facilities, labs, study
rooms and group study rooms. I never have to wait for the computer
in the lab as there are plenty. I have never had any problem
finding books in the library. The library’s collection
of books is very strong. I can borrow a book for two weeks and
if I need more time I can extend it even from home using my internet
link with the Library. Another important facility that Leeds
Met has provided us with is our prayer room to say our prayers
in every day. Also, there are excellent language learning facilities
for international students. Students can use these facilities
anytime they want.”
