Tobi Kola-Sodipo - BU Business graduate to Business Development Associate

BU Business School

Celebrating our global graduate community

Name: Tobi Kola-Sodipo 
Course studied: International Hospitality and Tourism Management
Nationality: Nigerian
Current position: Business Development Associate, Red Clay Advisory

Why did you choose to study at BU?

I had a number of considerations while choosing the university that I would study at and I was drawn to Bournemouth University, which was one of the two universities I got an offer for. What sealed my decision was that Bournemouth University ranked as one of the top 20 universities in the UK for tourism and hospitality, as well as the fact that Bournemouth is a smaller and less busy city to study at. These discoveries came from research that I had carried out. The interesting part to my admission is that I got the award for the Executive Dean's scholarship, which helped pay for half my tuition. This was an honour and made it the best choice.

What did you gain from your student experience?

The course of study at BU was exciting as I learned a number of values, including teamwork which was a large part of the university's learning models. With this, I had the opportunity to learn from other cultures and immerse myself in global events relevant to my course. To cap it all, I had the chance to make lifelong friendships.

What advice do you have for other international students coming to study at BU?

My advice to any future student is that they should approach learning at BU with an open mind and an immersive attitude, as they won’t just learn from the classroom but from experiencing the diverse cultures that make up BU. In addition, they should utilise every resource at their disposal during their course of study as this will help them prepare for their classes and even their professional futures.

Life in Bournemouth is lovely as everyone is welcoming and gives you a sense of being family. That said, make sure you pack your swimwear and beach hat as you would be missing out on the summer fun on the beach which attracts many tourists to Bournemouth. Good luck!