From Baruipur to London: How One Student Turned Big Dreams Into Global Possibilities
Arka Naskar’s journey began in the small town of Baruipur and carried him through studies in India, Taiwan, and finally London. At Queen Mary, his MSc in International Marketing and Business Strategies became the place where big dreams found direction, giving him the confidence to turn ambition into real opportunity. Read his journey below.
Baruipur, a small town in India, rarely makes it into conversations about international education. But for Arka Naskar, the fields his father farmed in were the soil from which an unlikely dream sprouted.
"I grew up in Baruipur, a small town in India, where my father has been a generational farmer. For someone like me, the idea of studying abroad once felt far-fetched. But I’ve always carried big dreams, and I knew education would be my way forward."
Education, for Arka, wasn’t just a passport out of India. It was the method, the language, the toolset. He first left home for Bennett University’s Times School of Media, a small fracture in the routine of provincial life that revealed what it meant to adapt. Then came an exchange programme in Taiwan:
"An exchange programme at National Taiwan University in Taiwan gave me my first taste of global education, showing me that students from small towns could stand tall on international platforms."
But it was London, not Baruipur, nor Taipei, where his perspective shifted most:
“Those experiences shaped me, but it was at Queen Mary University of London that my outlook truly transformed.”
Arka continues his story:
The MSc in International Marketing and Business Strategies has been more than a degree; it has been an eye-opening experience that prepared me for the world of work. Modules like Strategic Marketing and Strategy and Management Consulting trained me to analyse complex problems, design actionable strategies, and present them clearly, skills I now apply daily in my role at Sainsbury’s, where clear communication and problem-solving are essential.
Sustainability Marketing and Ethics and CSR gave me the ability to evaluate business decisions not just from a profit perspective, but also from a social and ethical one, a mindset I carry with me when working in a customer-facing environment. Courses such as Inter-cultural Communication for the Global Workplace have been invaluable in London, helping me collaborate with colleagues and customers from diverse backgrounds.
However, the true value of my journey at Queen Mary lies in the guidance I received from the professors. They were not just instructors; they were mentors who were always there to support, challenge, and steer me in the right direction. Whether it was helping me with tough coursework, offering career advice, or providing valuable insights into complex topics, the professors were my guiding figures at every step. Their encouragement and expertise have been instrumental in helping me grow academically and professionally.
Life at Queen Mary has been as enriching outside the classroom as inside it. The workshops and real-world case studies prepared me to apply theory in practice, making every group project feel like a rehearsal for the workplace.
Walking through London’s streets, experiencing its diversity, and navigating its ever-changing rhythm taught me as much as my coursework.
Securing a part-time role at Sainsbury’s without referrals was no easy task. Yet Arka adapted quickly, drawing on his analytical training and communication skills to connect with colleagues and customers:
"I was able to adapt quickly, draw on my analytical skills, and build strong communication strategies with both colleagues and customers. In many ways, it felt like putting my MSc learning into action, from problem-solving under pressure to understanding consumer behaviour in real time."
Looking back, Queen Mary has given me more than just academic knowledge. It has given me confidence, practical skills, and the belief that students like me, from small towns with big dreams, can not only build meaningful careers but also inspire others to dream bigger.
Arka Nassar, MSc International Marketing and Business Strategies
Queen Mary University of London
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