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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
“I'm still working for Tesco, but based in Shanghai, implementing their latest systems into the joint venture business we have there"
Mature student Ian Crick took a career break from his job as head of Customer Services at Tesco and describes it as the ‘best year I‘ve ever had”. He spent two months in the Himalayas and the rest of the time at Luton, doing his full time Masters course.
Returning to Tesco, he spent over 3 years working as the Programme Manager for Express, co-ordinating the swift expansion of that format across the UK.
He explained: “Taking a year out to do something completely was great for re-charging the batteries. Returning to the working environment after a year of study was harder than I expected - it was physically more demanding, and I also felt I had to work harder to get back into Tesco which had changed a lot even in one year”.
In the middle of 2006 Ian volunteered to take up a new programme role based in Shanghai, China working in the joint venture company Tesco has established there.
“Taking this opportunity to work abroad is the result of my University experience at Luton. I met many international students on the course, and made some good friends from China - they opened my mind to the idea of working overseas in general, and China in particular. The inter-cultural dimension of the course also helped me to feel equipped for working in a different culture”.
“So far, I’ve been delighted with the whole experience of working and living in Shanghai, although moving from a sleepy Bedfordshire village to a city of 20 million Chinese was quite a shock to the system. All the family are learning to speak Mandarin (some quicker than others!) and it really helps to be able to share at least a few words with the local Chinese”.
“Taking a year out to study on this course has transformed my life, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Not only do I feel in more control of my destiny in the working environment, it has opened up a range of choices that simply were not there before”.
“I have kept in touch with a few friends from the University, and I hope to meet up with some of them in Shanghai”.
Updated: December 2006.
Apply» Faculties & Departments» Department of Psychology» Student Profiles» Ian Crick: MSc Psychology and Culture
