Sarah Archer
Though the International Spa Management Master's programme is fairly new, the university has good and competent lectures and a well-endowed and brilliant Programme Leader who develops students and equips them with the knowledge and skills to manage and find solutions to most challenges in the spa industry
”My name is Sarah Archer, an international student from Axim in the Western Region of Ghana. I am presently studying my Masters in International Spa Management at the University of Derby, Buxton. When I was ready for my Masters Programme, I had an intensive search on the internet for international spa management programmes abroad since they were not offered in my country. I finally came across two universities and decided to communicate with both universities and chose the University of Derby because of their quick responses to emails and their commitment to support international students after review of the entry requirements with documents in acquisition of U.K student visas.
Back home in Ghana, I work as a Senior Instructor and the Head of the Beauty Clinic Section of Takoradi Polytechnic, Ghana. I had all my education in Ghana with honours in both my Higher National Diploma and first Degree BTech Programmes at Takoradi Polytechnic.
What is life in Buxton like for me?
Monday
I have no lectures on Mondays so I read widely to complete all assignments by researching on the internet in the mornings and then visit the school's library later doing the day to borrow books and return books as well. I close from the library at 8pm return home to prepare for Tuesdays lectures.
Tuesday
I have a lecture from 10am to 1pm on Tuesdays. After lectures I sit to have lunch with some friends in the Bistro and have a group study to work on group assignments and researches. After 5pm, I sit alone in the Library to research on the days assignments and visit Blackboard (the Universities learning website). I finish up at 7pm and return home to relax and sleep very early to rest for the next day in lectures.
Wednesday
I have two lectures on Wednesdays, starting from 10am to 1pm and the second lecture starts from 2pm to 5pm. After lectures I visit the Library briefly to return and borrow books for the day's assignments. I return to watch international news from various channels to inform myself with current global affairs.
Thursday
I do not have a lecture on Thursdays so I always book an appointment with my lecturers and supervisors to discuss some topics and research works with them. I return home by 12 mid-day to work on all assignments and write my project as well.
Friday
There are no lectures on Fridays so I dedicate the day to clean my flat, wash my clothing then go to the Market Place to buy some food stuffs for the following week and prepare food and store enough food for the subsequent week. I sometimes also visit my family members in Central London for the weekend to experience the busy lifestyle and also enjoy my local meals such as "Fufu with Light Soup" and "Banku with Okra Soup" since they are Ghanaian ethnic foods and not sold in Buxton.
Saturday
On Saturdays, when I spend the weekend in Buxton, I normally go to town to sit outside with some friends for coffee and sometimes go round the clothing shops to see the fashion trend in clothing at most of the top brand shops. Pavilion Gardens is also a very interesting place to sit to read or chat with friends so I sometimes visit there with some friends to either read, chat and walk around.
Sunday
I attend my local church with family members in Central London or Manchester when I do spend the weekend in Buxton since my local church has no branch in Buxton. I return to Buxton by 3pm and have enough time to chat with my family and friends back home either on mobile phone, Skype or Facebook.
