How I Left My Desk Job and Landed at the University of Nottingham

When I used to write blogs about international education during my time as a Marketing Associate at Leverage Edu, I never imagined I’d soon be living the very stories I was crafting. Yet here I am, pursuing an MSc in Marketing at the University of Nottingham, turning curiosity into courage, and rewriting my own script through resilience, strategy, and stubborn self-belief.

The Genesis – My Workplace Epiphany

My dream of studying abroad didn’t arrive with a dramatic lightbulb moment; it built up quietly, while I was deep in research, content, and conversations at work. As I wrote about student journeys, I kept asking myself: If others can do it with loans and planning, why not me?

I’d already completed a pandemic-crippled Master’s in Media Governance at Jamia Millia Islamia, and though it offered solid grounding, it left me craving something deeper, an education rich in experience, interaction, and opportunity. I wanted out of the screen and into the world.

Destination UK – Strategy Over Serendipity

Choosing the UK wasn’t random. I took my time. A friend already studying there shared her experience, and I was drawn to the balance it offered: prestigious universities, diverse communities, scholarship opportunities, and a strong Indian student network. For someone like me, it checked all the boxes.

The University of Nottingham stood out. I already had marketing experience, but I wanted to move from operational execution to strategic understanding. I chose this program because it offers just that… deep insight into consumer psychology, digital transformation, and the art-meets-science of branding.

The Financial Hurdle – A Test of Tenacity

Financing was my biggest obstacle. I come from a humble background in Delhi; my parents, my nani, and my younger brother (who’s currently at the London School of Economics). I didn’t want to burden them. Honestly, just the thought of securing an education loan made me anxious.

My solution?

1. Fly Finance by Leverage Edu – Their loan experts helped me secure an education loan from IDFC First Bank quickly and painlessly.
2. Self-funding the Start – I used my salary savings to pay for my visa, laptop, and initial expenses.

I think seeing me handle everything on my own shifted something for my family. The worry didn’t vanish, but it turned into quiet pride.

From Colleague to Client – The Leverage Edu Shift

I knew exactly who to trust with my application journey. Leverage Edu had been part of my professional life, and now it became my lifeline. From shortlisting universities to visa processing and even finding my accommodation through Fly Homes, they handled it all. I ended up in St. Peter’s Court, a cozy, budget-friendly student housing option.

What made the difference? Their student-first attitude. I never felt like a number or a sale. I felt seen.

Trials in Nottingham – Resilience Forged in Adversity

Not everything was picture-perfect. Within weeks of landing in the UK, I found myself in the hospital, alone, scared, and longing for my mom’s chai and warmth. It was a wake-up call. And then came the job hunt. Rejections piled up before I finally landed a role as a Corporate Marketing Assistant at the university.

But those struggles built me. I learned to cook (thank God there was YouTube), found comfort in a multicultural group of friends who now feel like family, and adapted to the academic rhythm here. Unlike back home, group work here is driven by debate and depth, not cramming.

The Payoff? Blossoming Ambitions

Today, I balance coursework and my assistantship, soaking in both theory and practice. My dream? Either lead meaningful marketing campaigns or start something of my own. Success, to me, means lifting others while lifting yourself.

My family? They’re not just supportive anymore; they’re proud. Watching me hold my own in a new country gave them the confidence they needed.

My Message to Dreamers Like Me

If you’re dreaming of studying abroad, here’s what I want you to know:

• Start early: Research your options, scholarships, and loans. Leverage Edu’s tools made it so much easier for me.
  
• Embrace the discomfort: You’ll miss home, you’ll cry sometimes, but you’ll grow in ways you didn’t think possible.
• Trust the detours: Every rejection, every delay, is shaping your direction.

And finally, remember: Your struggles aren’t setbacks, they’re setups for your comeback. Keep going. Something better is always waiting.