Luke Lewis
Current student
- Course
- International Business BSc
- Subject area
- Business, Management and Marketing
I started studying International Business in 2022 after taking a gap year. I lived in Switzerland for eight years when I was younger, so I grew up speaking French and had some familiarity with Swiss German. That early international environment gave me an awareness of different cultures, and I think that is partly what led me toward international business rather than a more traditional management degree.
Coming to Loughborough was a really positive experience right from the start. I chose the university mainly because of the sporting opportunities and the campus, but I didn’t know much about the business school or the great support on offer. I was genuinely impressed by everything I found at Loughborough, from the quality of the teaching to the range of extracurricular activities and the support available.
In first year, I joined around five or six societies and tried all sorts of things. I played in different IMS teams, joined social sports, and even ended up going on a cricket tour around the UK with the Sri Lankan Society, which was something I never expected to do. The community atmosphere was great and despite the workload increasing and less time on my hands, I tried to keep myself busy with extra activities in my second and final years.
I have always believed that students should strongly consider studying abroad rather than choosing a placement by default. Many people feel pressured to get work experience for their CV, which is understandable, but I think the personal growth that comes from studying abroad is often undervalued. As soon as I found out about the opportunity in first year, I knew I wanted to do it. I wanted to take one more year to experience something very different before going into the world of work.
Originally I planned to spend six months in Uruguay and then try to find an internship somewhere else in South America. I was very set on choosing a place that was a little unconventional. Uruguay is not the most common choice for students, with many preferring places like the United States or Canada, and it can be a challenging culture shock to acclimatise to. Despite that, I was attracted to it precisely because it was different and would push me out of my comfort zone. In the end I decided to split the year, spending six months in Montevideo, and six months in Montreal.
In Uruguay I took most of my modules in English, even so, I decided to take a couple of lectures in Spanish. I had learned Spanish at school and continued it in first and second year, so I wanted to challenge myself. In Montreal I did the same and took a French module as well. My level in both languages was enough to get around and hold conversations but not necessarily enough for complex business terminology, which made it a fun challenge.
The experience of living in Uruguay and Montreal in the same year could not have been more different. Montreal felt like being in a modern European city where English is spoken everywhere and everything is convenient. Uruguay was completely different, with a very different pace of life. If you wanted to buy food for the week you would need to go to the local butcher’s early on a Sunday or go to the market, and things like safety, infrastructure, and lifestyle were nothing like Montreal.
I feel that I grew a lot during my time in Uruguay and got so much from the experience. It pushed me to learn more of the language, adapt to a different culture, and engage with local students in a very real way. I always tell students that the best choice depends on what they want. If someone wants comfort and familiarity then a place like Montreal or the United States or Europe is ideal. If someone wants to be challenged and come away with a real sense of development, then somewhere like Uruguay is the perfect choice.
The support from Loughborough made all the difference. The team checked in regularly, emailed me, and made sure I had the help I needed. The partner universities were also supportive and helped me settle in. Going to Uruguay as study abroad student created opportunities I would never have had if I had just travelled there as a backpacker.
In my fourth year, upon returning from my year abroad, I had the chance to give back and help other students as I was offered a part-time mentoring role supporting students applying for placements or study abroad. That role allowed me to help students who had never lived abroad before and did not know what to expect when planning to relocate internationally. I found it rewarding to talk them through practical things such as logistics, banking, accommodation, visas, and all the everyday details you usually take for granted.
Overall, the study abroad year was the best decision I could have made. It offered the right balance of support and independence and allowed me to experience two completely different cultures. It confirmed for me how much value there is in stepping outside your comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities you may never get again.
