An MBA isn’t just a course one studies, shares Priyanka Sundar, it’s a continuous learning experience that travels far beyond the classroom.
So, what better way is there to enhance that experience than picking up and moving overseas to study? By choosing to leave Chennai to study her MBA at Durham University Business School in the north-east of the UK, Priyanka ensured her learning journey was enriching in more ways than one. Not only has the course been challenging, the changeable UK weather has too!
Her advice for others considering overseas study? Go in open-minded, immerse yourself in your new community and explore your new surroundings (studying in Durham means studying within a UNESCO World Heritage site, steeped in history and beauty). Most importantly, don’t be shy. Do this and you’ll gain more than a degree.
The MBA has changed Priyanka’s life. Today she lives and work in the UK as an Enterprise Account Executive for DevOps service Copado. She shares her story here.
What were your early career ambitions and experiences?
I grew up in Chennai in a family that valued education, curiosity, and independence. That environment encouraged me to explore both technical and creative interests early on, which later influenced my academic and career choices.
I’m an engineer by academics and have always been curious about how things work and how ideas actually reach people and become useful in the real world. Early in my career I moved into the edtech space with BYJU’S. It started as a small team of about ten people and, over time, grew significantly as the organisation expanded. I worked across multiple cities, collaborated with diverse teams, and engaged with several international brands. That experience naturally pulled me toward the business side of technology.
Working in edtech gave me strong hands-on exposure to sales, growth strategy, and market expansion. Over time, I realised I wanted a more structured understanding of areas like strategy, finance, and leadership, so an MBA felt like the right step.
What was it about your school and programme that encouraged you to enrol?
Durham stood out for its academic reputation, and its collegiate system especially appealed to me as it creates a real sense of community beyond academics, with opportunities to meet people from around the world and grow both professionally and personally.
I chose the tech specialism because London’s strong tech and finance ecosystem felt like a natural direction for me. It helped me connect my engineering background with the business skills I was developing.
What was it like moving to the UK? How did you adapt socially and culturally?
Moving to the UK was exciting but definitely an adjustment. Beyond academics, it was the small everyday things like cultural cues, social dynamics, even the weather , that took getting used to. Durham’s close-knit community helped a lot; between college life and university activities, settling in felt gradual rather than overwhelming.
What were the best things you gained from your studies?
Clarity and confidence, more than anything. The MBA sharpened how I think about problems , now with a more structured and strategic lens. It also gave me a genuinely global network and exposure to perspectives I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
Coming from engineering and commercial roles, finance initially felt abstract. What helped was approaching it practically through case studies, group discussions, and consistent practice. Eventually, it stopped feeling theoretical and started making intuitive sense.
Did the MBA change your professional ambitions? How did the business school support you?
I knew I wanted to stay close to technology, but the MBA made me more intentional about working at the intersection of tech, strategy, and business impact.
Faculty accessibility, career support, industry exposure, and peer learning all played a role. Sometimes the most valuable learning came from conversations outside formal lectures.
One of the most valuable parts of Durham for me was the mentoring system. I was mentored by John Miller, a Durham alumnus and former SVP at Nestlé, and our conversations went far beyond academics. We discussed business trends, leadership, career decisions, and more. Those chats sparked new interests and gave me perspectives I still carry into my work today.
What did receiving the Best Dissertation of the Year award mean to you?
Receiving the award felt very encouraging, and it also helped open many meaningful professional opportunities for me in the UK.
The dissertation itself was a steep learning curve for me. I had the opportunity to consult on a complex industrial decarbonisation challenge. I ended up reviewing a large body of academic research, which was quite different from the exam-focused system I’d been familiar with, so the whole process pushed me both academically and professionally.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying in the UK or at Durham University Business School? Anything you wish you’d known?
Go in open-minded and make the most of the community. A lot of the real learning happens outside the classroom. Definitely take time to enjoy Durham itself; it’s a beautiful place and the year goes by faster than you expect.
Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out from day one. Also, don’t be shy. An MBA isn’t just a course one “studies”, it’s a continuous learning experience. If you’re already considering one, you likely have a business mindset, so start building connections early rather than waiting for the programme to begin. Networking and conversations often end up being as valuable as anything you learn formally.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
END OF ARTICLE
