‘From a plane to a café in Paris, I can study anywhere with the OU’

Posted on 18 April 2023 • Science, maths, computing and technology, Student stories

With the flexibility of The Open University (OU), Colm, 32, has been able to study whilst travelling the world. Originally from Ireland, Colm has spent the last eight years working towards a Bachelor of Engineering, alongside his adventurous life living in Budapest and Madrid.

Earning and learning

Colm was attracted to OU study, as he wanted a new challenge that would fit around his full-time job as a software developer.

“I was getting bored working with software all the time, which is why I wanted to expand my skills with engineering. I needed to keep my day job, so the flexibility of being able to study in my spare time was important,” he says.

“The OU gave me that flexibility, which meant I could study in the morning before I started work, or in the evening. I also wasn’t bound to a physical campus, which allowed me the freedom to travel with my job.”

International reach

Colm’s job presented him with opportunities to work abroad, firstly in Budapest, Hungary and in the last seven months, in Madrid, Spain.

“After securing a job offer with travel and tourism company, TUI, my fiancé and I packed our bags and moved to Madrid. I love travelling and learning, and this opportunity felt like the perfect next step.”

Colm says having the OU on his CV has already helped him to progress in his career.

“I’m now a software quality assurance specialist, which is more technical and a step up from my previous role. The analytical and problem-solving skills that I’ve learnt in my engineering degree, as well as the soft skills that I’ve gained of time management, have been vital to securing this new role.

“My OU degree has also benefitted me when applying for other roles and has been a great selling point to recruiters and prospective employers. I’ve been told in interviews that having a lifelong commitment to learning is an appealing asset, which is great to hear.”

Pressing pause on studies

Colm has also benefitted from being able to defer his degree to suit changes in his life.

“I’ve taken various breaks throughout my studies, including a year off when I moved to Madrid, as I was experiencing burnout and needed to take a break.

“I like that I could step away from studies and come back to them when I was ready.

“It’s important when there’s too many balls in the air, that you stop and take time. It’s a matter of pride and a point of principle for me that I’d like to share with other OU students, to let them know that it’s okay to put yourself first.”

Travelling the world with his degree

As well as living abroad, Colm enjoys exploring new countries in his spare time.

“The flexibility of the OU is still one of my favourite things, as it allows me to travel the world. I’ve studied in a variety of different places, including a plane going from Dublin to Boston, a train with my dog next to me while I went from Budapest to Vienna, and munching lunch in a café in Paris. All I need is my tablet and I’m able to access my OU course anywhere.”

For prospective and current OU students, Colm has some advice.

“You have nothing to lose. I’m a testament to the fact that you can study anywhere and at any time.

“If you have something you’re genuinely interested in, that you’d like to explore, the OU has everything you need.

“If you’d like to dip your toe in the water, check out the OU’s OpenLearn site, which is completely free and allows you to try a small section of a course.

“And to anybody currently studying with the OU, I’d say do little and often, even if it’s just 20 minutes whilst you wait for your bus. You’ll be surprised what you can achieve in that time.”

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