Mai Ayad

"I chose Sunderland because of its reputation for academic excellence and practical learning. During my PGCE studies, it was clear that the combination of theoretical modules and practical teaching placements helped me grow as a reflective and effective teacher. My mentor, the in-country tutor, and the University representative all gave me very helpful feedback and support during the course.

This hands-on and applied approach was also a big part of my MA in International Education. The modules were carefully planned to fit the unique needs of international education, looking at both the problems and the chances that come up in international school systems. I thought the content was very useful and relevant because it helped me learn more about how schools work around the world and helped me think critically about and improve my own teaching in different and changing settings.

I decided to pursue an MA in International Education because I think that to be well-educated and confident in my field, I need to learn more about the international education sector. Learning more about this has helped me improve my professional knowledge and see global education systems from a new angle.

I was an IGCSE Biology teacher since before I started my MA. I've always loved teaching biology, and I wanted to build on that through postgraduate study to improve my skills. The MA gave me a chance to think about my work, learn about new educational theories, and use them right away in my teaching.

The courses are meant to be useful, thought-provoking, and closely related to real-life situations, especially in the field of education. Be willing to think critically about the course material and take advantage of the help that tutors and mentors offer. They know a lot and really care about your growth. Most importantly, be curious and have a goal when you study. The more you put into the course, the more you'll get out of it.

In short, my time at the University of Sunderland was both enriching and empowering. The course combined hard academic work with real-world experience, which helped me grow both professionally and personally. The supportive learning environment, expert help, and relevant course material gave me the skills and confidence I needed to be a great teacher and leader in international schools. It set me up well for my future career growth."