Foreign Degree — It Can Still Be Done!

by: Amidala Mallari, Thames International Undergraduate Student

Despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Thames International graduates Valerie Villanueva, Jannika Arciaga, and Christine Sion of Batch 2020, remain set on pursuing their dreams of achieving foreign degrees. Through the flexible and affordable pathways offered by Thames International, these graduates are enjoying new academic endeavors with Thames’ partner institutions in the United Kingdom either from the safety of their homes through the distance learning or on-campus options. 

Valerie Villanueva – Northumbria University 

Valerie took Thames International’s Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship as her undergraduate degree. Valerie was drawn to how the program’s final year is meant to be finished at a foreign partner university of the student’s choice. Due to the pandemic, she became skeptical about flying to the United Kingdom, and found an even better opportunity with Northumbria University’s part-time distance learning programme, where she is now taking an honors BA in Business and Management. According to her, the virtual course was designed to be as flexible as possible, allowing her to juggle studies, leisure, and business all at the same time.

Thames has greatly influenced Valerie’s goals, as the school has constantly given its students more options to consider for their careers. Through the regular presentations of international affiliations from the U.K, Australia, and Singapore, she was able to weigh the options and choose the best one for her future. The success stories of other alumni students who chose similar paths also motivated Valerie, inspiring her to brave her own journey to higher learning. Ss she takes pride in the good foundation of business and creativity that Thames cultivated in her and every other student. 

“Leave the door open for future opportunities” , Valerie reminds students who share the same dream as hers. She says that it is helpful if one has finalized their goals in life, yet it is also beneficial to take the time to really weigh the pros and cons of an option, and to do research on what decision is most suitable. She also advises students to not hesitate in reaching out to co-students, as well as to counselling and application services like UKEAS, for tips and opinions regarding foreign study.

Jannika Arciaga – CASS Business School 

Jannika finished her BS Business Administration, Major in Operations Management course in Thames International. She has long dreamed of taking a Master’s Degree in the United Kingdom to pursue further learning that aligns with her passion for business and service. Despite the pandemic, she has found a way to fulfill this goal as she currently takes CASS Business School’s online Postgraduate Certificate in Global Finance, designed to work at a student’s own pace. This has allowed her to commit successfully to her studies while working as the Sales and Marketing Executive of her family’s business. 

Jannika believes that she has her inspiring mentors and hardworking professors in Thames to thank, as they have always been supportive and approachable, guiding every student in need to the very best of their abilities. She believes Thames’ unique approach to learning has equipped her with the skills and experience needed for this new and exciting journey in which education has become one of her life’s adventures. She also treasures the amazing friendships she has made in Thames, as they have helped her grow into the person and businesswoman she is now. She is beyond grateful that she chose Thames for college, and wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“Take the opportunity and pursue it,” Jannika tells fellow students, even those who feel little interest in applying abroad. She believes that this journey led to the best version of herself, one that she didn’t know she possessed. In the end, she hopes that every student enjoys the same as they dive into the world of business.

Christine Sion – University of South Wales 

Having completed BS Business Administration Major in Operations Management in Thames, Christine opted to pursue on-campus her Master in Business Administration at the University of South Wales, taking a huge step toward becoming the global business leader she envisions herself becoming. The university MBA program she is taking is designed to mitigate a student’s virus exposures, implementing digital teaching modes with a proportion of in-person classroom set-ups.

Christine was drawn to the excellent global reputation of UK business schools. She believes they can give her a profound understanding of diverse business and management principles in ways that will help her transform lives – including her own.

She aims to grow as a business professional by building an international network. She aims to grow as a human being by learning to collaborate with different kinds of people across the globe.

For Christine, Thames’ flipped classroom approach has constantly challenged her to step out of her comfort zone and to think outside the box, giving her a broader perspective on society. More importantly, she affirms that the school has honed her into an individual capable of creating a positive impact in an ever-changing world, allowing her to aim for greater opportunities for her future. 

“Be brave enough to follow where your heart and mind are guiding you,” Christine advises. She believes that the challenges of the age need not prevent someone from achieving their dreams as long as they remain responsible and considerate. She also says that every life-changing opportunity is worth seeking, so one wouldn’t live with regrets or what-ifs. 

Thames International takes pride in Valerie, Jannika, and Christine’s achievements despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. They embody the school’s goal of nurturing pathfinders who seek to better the world and not just themselves. Thames International makes a foreign degree dream a reality for aspiring students by making transfers to a partner-university more straightforward and cost-effective.

If you, like Val, Nikka, and Tin, also aspire to excel on a global scale, inquire now to join our community! Call our Admissions Team at +639992270787, +639992269796, or email inquire@thames.edu.ph,  or send us a message on Facebook. #ProvenOnlineLearning #ReimagineEducation #ThamesInternational #College