Luisa clocks up the most miles after jetting in from New Zealand to graduate

Luisa Giraldo travelled the greatest distance of all those attending the University of Northampton’s winter graduation ceremonies – and she hopes her new qualification will also help her career to go far, too.

The Business and Management graduate jetted in to the UK from the other side of the world – New Zealand, to be precise – to celebrate with course-mates at their graduation ceremony on Saturday 9 February.

But her story actually started in her home country of Colombia, where she practised as a lawyer.

Luisa Giraldo the day before her graduation.

Luisa said: “I had an interest in intellectual property and wanted to study this different aspect of law.

“I eventually moved to New Zealand to learn English and it was there that I also began studying a business course. The institution I was studying with has a partnership with the University of Northampton, and when I found out I could study Business and Management there, which would also top up my two years’ of study to a full BA (Hons) degree, I wanted to find out more.

“The course allows students to pick their own modules to suit their career aspirations and it included modules on business law and intellectual property, so it was the perfect choice for me.”

She added: “The course was great. The tutors really pushed me to get better results and I owe them so much. I’d certainly recommend studying at the University of Northampton – the experience was excellent, and I loved being in the UK, which has so much history and culture. The weather is also similar to New Zealand’s, so there weren’t any shocks for me.”

Now back in NZ, Luisa is looking to put her new qualification to good use in her property management job, but with one eye on the future, as she looks to pursue a Master’s degree in a year or so.