Francisco Segovia Galarza

Why did you decide to study a masters at the University of Leeds?

I decided to study at the University of Leeds because its great prestige and recognition as one of the best universities in the world. In addition, the University of Leeds offers the opportunity of having experiences beyond the studies as it has extracurricular activities that allow students to feel more engaged with the university. I chose the University of Leeds because there are about thirty thousand students from all over the world studying here so this fact would give me the opportunity to share experiences with people from different cultures Therefore I can expand my horizons in the field by sharing experiences and different viewpoints. The University of Leeds is also recognised for providing all the facilities and assistance for international students.

What has been the best aspect of studying on your course and at the University so far and why?

The best aspect so far has been the quality of teaching since I have had the opportunity to share experiences with professors who domain the subjects. Additionally, they want to share their knowledge with their students through didactic and practical classes. Professors have given me new knowledge based on their experiences which I’m sure I will apply once I finish the course. Furthermore, having classmates from different parts of the world is an amazing experience as we share different opinions about the topics studied and we discuss on how the knowledge can be applied from different perspectives.

Tell us about some of the exciting projects you have completed.

Within the course we have developed several projects as part of the different lectures; the most exciting one was the analysis of the risks that a foreign company had to undertake in order to deliver a large project in Bulgaria. Another one was the analysis of a current large project in the UK called HS2 in which we had the opportunity to undertake a deep critical analysis and propose different routes to be applied. These kind of analysis are very useful and challenging since I had to take into account new aspects regarding the whole project management process that I haven’t developed before such as procurement routes, contracting and risks and stakeholder’s analysis. In general, the projects undertaken in class give us a better understanding of how projects are managed in different parts of the world and also provide us with the necessary tools in order to solve problems.

What does Leeds as a city have to offer students?

Leeds is a city that offers safety, entertainment, calm and a good environment to study. It is a city with some universities so I’ve known people from all over the world. Additionally, Leeds is a city in which you have everything you need such as parks, supermarkets, cinemas, and museums. Furthermore, Leeds offers many places to have fun such as restaurants, clubs and pubs which mixed with the safety it results in a good city to live in. One of the most important things is that I feel safe everywhere and I can perform my activities normally. The city of Leeds also holds several events on important dates so people can share the British culture closely.

What are your ambitions for the future?

After finishing my studies at Leeds, I will start with my own construction company since I will be able to combine the knowledge gained during my career with my previous work experience. The knowledge gained here at Leeds have given me the necessary tools to start my own business.

What experiences at Leeds do you think will help you in your future career?

The most important thing is that the knowledge I have learnt here at Leeds can be applied internationally. We have analysed small and large projects that have been conducted in different cities in both England and other countries. This knowledge will surely help me in my future career when participating in large projects around the world.

What would you say to students coming to do the same course?

I completely recommend the course for the coming students since this is a course in which you will learn all the aspects regarding construction management and also it will provide you with the necessary tools to carry out your own projects having the utmost efficiency from the initial phases to the delivery. Additionally, the course it’s not only about construction management since within the program you are able to take elective courses with technical approaches. It is a great course that involves a lot of knowledge and in which the academics have both work and academic experience which is very important as they share their own working experiences and how they have solved several problems concerning the construction process. In addition, the city of Leeds offers many opportunities for relaxing and having a fun mixed with safety making the experience of studying at the University of Leeds something really amazing.