My Greatest Experience at Salford Business School

“The only source of knowledge is experience” ~ Albert Einstein

I remember waiting anxiously for two months for the day I will embark on my journey to the UK to study for a Masters Degree at the University of Salford Business School (SBS). As an international student leaving my country for the first time to study abroad, I admit I was a bit unsure of what to expect.

To my greatest surprise and relief, I was warmly welcomed at the airport by the Student Life team and then taken straight to the school. Immediately I was plunged into the orientation madness which included the registration with the Salford Business School and I felt right at home. With much anticipation, I attended all the welcome events, went on a tour of the University of Salford and listened with great expectations at the course induction and talks from the program director emphasizing the need to attempt and submit all assignments on time. I was eager to learn more than I had heard.

So, what is my greatest experience?

As the weeks went by, I attended lectures at different parts of the university, including the famous Media City UK campus – see image above. In a short time my stay at Salford and the Salford Business School was an interesting one with a lot of experiences.

However, my GREATEST experience in SBS was the encounter I had with technology. Yes! Technology.

On this fateful day, I went to the Clifford Withworth Library to do some self-study and work on one of my assignments as well as to use the library computer systems. I was told I could borrow a laptop from the Library that I can use for up to 2 hours within the library (coming from Africa, this seemed unimaginable). So that day, I had borrowed one to use and had done about an hour long essay and before I knew it the laptop went off.

WHAT!!! I exclaimed. OMG my work is gone. Tears dripped down my face as I had a deadline to meet. “What had happened”? I asked myself, but I plugged the charger in. Then I realized I had not put on the switch.

The sound of my course directors voice on the induction day started ringing in my head, I felt so weak. So I sat there for about a minute. I turned on the switch and the laptop came on after being charged for a few seconds. I checked all through and my work was gone.

I asked the girl sat next to me with a low ‘library’ voice “please do you know if I can retrieve my work I am not sure I saved it before the laptop went off”? With a typical Manchester response when you think you cannot be of help to someone in need. She says “I’m afraid. I’m not sure I know what to do, you may want to speak to someone over there” she pointed to the help desk. “Thanks anyway” I said as I walked over to the help desk.

I asked the man at the desk and he answered without hesitation to my question. “Oh yes, there’s something called an F drive on all PC’S and every student has one appointed to them.” I was also told I could access the F drive remotely from my home – well trust me that was a big deal to me. He opened mine and I saw my work, it had saved automatically. With a sigh of relief I thanked him and with a smile he acknowledged.

That day I had learnt something new. Indeed, “the only source of knowledge is experience”. I am thankful anytime I look back and think of what could have happened if there wasn’t anything like the F drive. And yes I look twice at the switch these days.

What is your greatest experience?

Please let me know what you found to be your greatest experience – please use comments section below.