{"id":13200,"date":"2019-06-20T04:47:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T03:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=13200"},"modified":"2019-06-20T04:47:00","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T03:47:00","slug":"meet-the-ous-international-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/meet-the-ous-international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the OU&#8217;s International Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Open University is launching the International Open\nDiaries; five short films featuring incredible OU students and alumni from\ndifferent corners of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following on from the <a aria-label=\"UK Open Diaries (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/choose\/the-open-diaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK Open Diaries<\/a> that were launched in summer 2018, these new diaries have a distinctly international flavour. They offer a unique insight into what it\u2019s like for students living, studying and working in different countries and on different continents around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The films highlight the flexibility of The Open University\u2019s qualifications, the opportunities for career and life transformation and the quality of the student support services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The International Open Diaries\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BDz7JJRyHBA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Sridev<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sridev.png\" alt=\"Sridev studying at his computer\" class=\"wp-image-13211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sridev.png 700w, https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sridev-300x171.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption>Sridev: Palakkad, India<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sridev is from Palakkad in India. He\u2019s studying for a <a aria-label=\"BSc in Astronomy and Planetary Science (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/qualifications\/q64-ast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BSc Natural Sciences (Astronomy and Planetary Science)<\/a> and was surprised to be able to carry out practical experiments as part of his course, including using the OU\u2019s remote-access, robotic telescopes in Tenerife, Spain. Sridev said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cInitially, when I was joining The Open University, I thought that I would have to make a compromise on the practical aspect since it was distance learning. I was really pleasantly surprised on how The Open University is making technology available to its students, how they\u2019ve curated this whole holistic experience so that you don&#8217;t have to miss out on the practical aspect, even though you&#8217;re studying at a distance.&nbsp; <\/p><p>\u201cFor example, in my first project, I had to access a telescope which was located in Tenerife, right here from my laptop. I could control the telescope while sitting at my home in India. That was a pretty cool thing to do and I never knew that was possible.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Colm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Colm-2.png\" alt=\"Colm\" class=\"wp-image-13212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Colm-2.png 700w, https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Colm-2-300x171.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption>Colm; Budapest, Hungary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Colm is originally from Ireland, but is currently living in Budapest, Hungary. He chose to study for a <a aria-label=\"BEng Engineering (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/qualifications\/q65\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BEng Engineering<\/a> with the OU so he could continue working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cOne of the things about studying with The Open University is that it comes with you everywhere. <\/p><p>\u201cThe first two modules I did were in Dublin. I got the opportunity to move to Budapest in Hungary and I\u2019ve taken The Open University with me when I have been to France, Germany, Austria. I\u2019ve been able to get the nice balance of still going to college but also getting to see the world and travel and explore.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Rain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Rain.png\" alt=\"Rain\" class=\"wp-image-13214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Rain.png 700w, https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Rain-300x171.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption>Rain; Antipolo, Philippines<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Rain is from Antipolo, Philippines and is studying for a <a aria-label=\"BSc Psychology (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/qualifications\/q07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BSc Psychology<\/a>. She chose to study with the OU after extensive research, to ensure an OU degree would be internationally recognised and help her with her future career plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cYou are getting high quality education and, at the same time, if you are like me who has gone through hard times in the past, you can start anew and at the same time pursue a degree. <\/p><p>&#8220;The Open University gave me the chance to rediscover myself not just through my studies, but also in my personal life. <br> I\u2019ve had problems with anxiety and feeling like I wasn\u2019t doing enough, or that I wasn\u2019t doing an assignment properly.&nbsp; My tutors have been very helpful and accommodating, making sure I am doing the right thing, and encouraging me to believe in myself more.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The diaries also feature <a aria-label=\"award-winning MBA graduate Tillmann (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ounews.co\/business-law\/business\/oubs-alum-tillmann-henssler-honoured-as-2019-aacsb-influential-leader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">award-winning MBA graduate Tillmann<\/a> from Berlin, Germany and Talia (pictured above) from Johannesburg, South Africa, who was inspired by <a aria-label=\"the Blue Planet II series (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/p04tjbtx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Blue Planet II series<\/a>, which was co-produced by the OU and the BBC.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The films are <a aria-label=\"available online (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PL_IhkJB-WjZUl289WH2scXFSrELL-pH75\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">available online<\/a>, and will feature in a major new campaign with BBC Worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the films here:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a aria-label=\"Talia, South Africa (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/k16FOgCf1vQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Talia, South Africa<\/a><br><a aria-label=\"Tillmann, Germany (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hZZwCTnQ5KI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tillmann, Germany<\/a><br><a aria-label=\"Rain, Philippines (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f7BAXcbpECk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rain, Philippines<\/a><br><a aria-label=\"Sridev, India (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9nIsY9j6deA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sridev, India<\/a><br><a aria-label=\"Colm, Hungary (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Vja-ZAKa64s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colm, Hungary<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Main image shows Talia studying at her computer. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Open University is launching the International Open Diaries; five short films featuring incredible OU students and alumni from different corners of the world. Following on from the UK Open Diaries that were launched in summer 2018, these new diaries have a distinctly international flavour. They offer a unique insight into what it\u2019s like for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13218,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1157,1376,1525,2210],"class_list":["post-13200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-stories","tag-international","tag-marketing","tag-news-home","tag-ou50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13200\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}