Bangalore to Portsmouth – special memories and launch pad for success

Indian alumna, Antonette Kumar had never been to the UK prior to studying at Portsmouth. She took the plunge and there was no looking back as she graduated with an MSc in Forensic Accounting in 2018. Now, she is an Assistant Manager in Investigations & Compliance with KPMG in London having worked for KPMG Global Services in Bangalore, India. Previously, Antonette worked as a consultant with Ernst & Young before qualifying as a Certified Fraud Examiner and moving to KPMG. 

The appeal of Portsmouth

Portsmouth was one of my top choices for an MSc in Forensic Accounting. It was the most established of the four options I had back in 2016 in terms of how long it had been running and the reviews about the University were good as well. Ranking-wise, it was among the top 50 in the UK. Portsmouth is a seafront town and my love for the beach and nature made me pick the city, not to mention the affordable cost of living when compared to London!

Cultural transition

I was initially sceptical about how I would settle in. The country was new with unfamiliar surroundings, the challenge of understanding modules in my course, assignments, and coursework, making friends, navigating a foreign country, and the pressure of landing a job. I had a lot of questions in my mind about whether I would cut it above the rest. The settling-in period was okay - it took time to adapt to English life in terms of navigating routes, food, and timings. It took me a couple of weeks post-landing to get a hang of living in the UK.

University felt very different compared to life back in India regarding how classes are structured, the library use, and making your own notes. There were also cultural differences in food, interactions, language, and greeting people. My highlights were making friends on campus, guest lectures, walks along the pier, student events, studying in the library, and working with classmates. I stay in touch with friends made at university and we catch up often to see what everyone is doing and where they are based.

The impact my course had on me

The University was a launch pad for me to get into the field of forensics. The course threw open a whole new set of opportunities for me. The lectures, seminars, and tutor sessions helped me perform well and be more established in the area of forensics. I was also a course representative which was an amazing experience and good for visibility. It helped me get involved in activities to improve the course and better understand the course, department, and university. It helped make me more confident, bold and make me take on multiple tasks.

I had a great rapport with my tutor - she was always available and I received all the support that was required. She was a great support during the term to help clarify any questions regarding navigating the course and careers. Tutors are always around should you wish to get course guidance or discuss personal issues that hinder you from giving your best on the course. 

The future

I recently moved back to the UK and I am working with KPMG in London. I plan to continue working in the field of forensics and wish to specialise in the areas of anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and compliance. I aim to take on Counter Fraud accreditations in the future.

Words of wisdom for global students

Come with an open mind and focus on the primary task which is completing your studies. Have fun but also focus on the task. Dream big, experience the new culture, be open to making friends from different countries, get out of your comfort zone, and most importantly, don't just get comfortable with a group of friends from your own country. Socialising helps understand different cultures and helps in making others aware of the culture you carry along. Dare to dream and dream to grow.