Shanté Thompson

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I was born and raised in Barbados, a small island in the Caribbean. I enjoy listening to music, painting and reading books.

Why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds? 

I chose to study International Business and Spanish because of the modules offered by the university. I always had an interest in SMEs as well as learning about new cultures. Many of the modules such as Small Business Internationalisation and Growth and Intercultural Competence gave me the opportunity to delve deeper into my interests. Moreover, I chose the University of Leeds because of the compulsory Year Abroad in my Third Year as well as the fact that all International Business degrees are externally accredited.

What has been the best aspect of your course so far? 

The best aspect of my course has been the opportunity to work with my coursemates on group assignments. The reason being, my course was quite diverse and I met students from all around the world. Therefore, working with people from different backgrounds and cultures helped to develop my cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness.  

Can you tell us about some of the exciting projects you have completed as part of your degree? 

One of the most exciting projects that I have completed as part of my degree would have to be my dissertation. I was able to research the impact of cultural, administrative, economic and geographic distance on the internationalisation decisions of E-commerce Corporations. This research project helped to develop my qualitative research skills, time management and critical thinking. Despite the hardwork, it was still an enjoyable process overall.

What activities outside of your studies were you involved in? 

Outside of my studies, I participated in some of the clubs and societies at the university, such as the African Caribbean Society. I also attended many of the activities that the Leeds University Union organised such as the Night Market and the Tote Bag making classes.  

What would you say to students thinking about studying your course? 

I would say to definitely do it. This course has been extremely rewarding. Not only has my Spanish greatly improved but the transferrable skills that you will develop such as public speaking, interpersonal skills, time management and flexibility will go a long way while as a student as well as when you enter the work force.  

What does Leeds as a city have to offer students? 

There is so much that Leeds as a city has to offer to students. When I first came to the university someone I met described Leeds as “London but on a student budget”. Leeds has something for everyone. If you love history then you can visit some of the museums such as the Royal Armouries Museums. If you love music you can go with friends to Belgrave Music Hall and if you’re a lover of food and trying different cuisines, Leeds has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes. In other words, Leeds has something to offer everyone.  

What do you plan to do once you graduate?  

I graduated in July 2022. I will be returning home to Barbados where I intend to start job searching. However, once I start working, I plan on saving money so that I can eventually do a year of slow travel and live in other Caribbean islands.  

What experiences at Leeds do you think have particularly helped with your career? Or what experiences at Leeds do you think will help in securing a graduate role following graduation? 

One of the experiences at Leeds that I think will help me secure a job after university is my role as a Link to Leeds Ambassador. A lot of the soft skills that I developed as an Ambassador such as intercultural communication and creative writing can be used in the career path that I have an interest in.