From European Law to Journalism, Star Student Elena Stoica Shares Her Inspiring Story

Moving to Middlesex University, Dubai is one of the biggest steps that I have ever taken, a step that I did not think would propel me to such great heights during my first academic year. It was one of the biggest steps because previously I studied European Law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, for a year. I turned my education in a completely different direction when I decided to switch my major to Journalism and Media Studies.

Changing my degree was a tough and hard decision but I was lucky to have the support of my parents who believed strongly in my capabilities. Some people view a change in degrees as a waste of time, but I see it as a year in which I gained a lot of knowledge, improved my public speaking skills through various debating competitions, and truly understood what it means to live independently. It taught me skills and concepts which enabled me to further grow in my field.

My highest achievement was during my first year when studying Journalism and Media because after changing my major I was able to pick myself up and I was motivated to prove to myself that I could achieve specific goals if I set my mind to it. That academic year, my main goals revolved around acquiring a healthy and balanced lifestyle which comprised of spending time with my family and friends, maintaining the highest grades in my year, saying yes to as many internships as possible. I had three internships by the end of the academic year and played an active role in the sports teams at my university.

By the end of the year, I was on the Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Merit List for achieving the highest grades in my year, which granted me a scholarship for the second academic year. I also made it to the core volleyball girls team at Middlesex University. I had never played volleyball but by the end of the year I made the team and we won two medals that year! I completed a 1.1 km swim around Burj Al-Arab in 24 minutes and 19 seconds, which is something I am really proud of, considering I did not do any proper training since high school.

Finally, the summer after my first year, I applied for a paid job as a copywriter at a PR and Communications agency. Acquiring that job would not have been possible had I not had the three other internships to show what I was capable of writing. Introductions and connections can be achieved with the help of other individuals but who you are as a person, your communication skills and capabilities, are just as important.