This week, our guest blogger, Victoria Ade-Genschow, tells us more about her career since graduating in 2016. Victoria studied at the University’s Riverside Campus, graduating with a MA in Education.
“I live in Germany. In fact, I live in one of the trendiest cities in Europe – Berlin! I’ve been living there for more than 15 years, and it’s been one of the best things that I have ever done!
“My first degree was a BSc (Hons) in Political Science and then I did a Master’s Degree at Durham University. However, all of this really was a very long time ago and since then I’ve spent a lot of time as a Regional Project Manager, starting up an educational business in both Prague (Czech Republic) and Bratislava (Slovakia).
“Then I became a Senior Education Consultant and Head-Hunter in the UK, which eventually led to the position of School Headship and Management, then a Corporate Inter-Cultural Life Coach, an educational English Language Trainer and Teacher, then a School Vice-Principal and Corporate English Manager, and an International Social Media Lifestyle and Professional British Travel Blogger in Berlin… Over the years, I’ve been awfully busy!
“I’ve always loved teaching and training others as I’m quite bossy by nature, but after a while, your mind starts to get mushy and a thirst for more learning develops. Cue, a second Master’s Degree at the University of Chester!
“One of the reasons that I chose this particular institution was because of the city of Chester itself. Chester is a small city in the county of Cheshire, and is very close to Wales. It has an effortless combination of history and heritage It’s the 5th oldest English higher education establishment of any kind, pre-dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham!
“The student population in Chester is small, and Chester itself is easy to get to, being right next to Manchester, Liverpool and the countryside of North Wales. My brother also lives in Cheshire!
“Although it has all the modern amenities of a contemporary modern town, it still has all the charm of a traditional and most historical ‘ye olde England’. The University is also entwined with the success and the future of the city of Chester – it’s town and gown.
“During my MA, I specialised in Education Management and Training (part-time) – it was a bit like an MBA for teachers. Whilst studying, I commuted between England and Germany every 6 weeks during term-term. I didn’t find it too difficult. Flying through Europe isn’t an issue because I’m quite used to it!
“Aside from being a Head of School, I’m also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the highly successful website – The British Berliner. My website is about a British girl from Manchester living in Berlin with her German husband and her half-British/half-German son. It’s a lifestyle expat travel blog and puts a focus on the promotion of culture, history, travels around the world, Europe, British-German life and being British in Berlin!
“As a result of my blog, I have been featured in various European documentaries and major European publications such as The Huffington Post, The Independent, Bloomberg Business Europe publications, as well as featuring on Berlin-Brandenburg TV and at the Berlin Music Video Awards (BMVA).
“I also work as a British-German socio-political expert and have frequently been asked to contribute to the European Culture Euromaxx TV station and local German radio stations, as the local expat expert on the British monarchy!
“Being a lifestyle travel blogger is quite wonderful as I get to combine academics with travelling to a wide variety of destinations in the European Union, as well as to exotic destinations further abroad, such as Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines. I’ve travelled to a grand total of 62 countries and 5 continents!
“I believe completing an MA not only gives you higher credence as an authority in your field and respect among your peers, but it also opens your eyes to a critical understanding of the world around you.
“Is it any wonder that I chose to obtain a MA at the University of Chester? I had a great time going ‘back to school’, and I’m sorely tempted to do a PhD qualification too!
“I’ll see you there!”
You can check out Victoria’s blog here: www.thebritishberliner.com.
If you would like to become a guest blogger, you can contact us on our Facebook (@UoChesterAlumni), Twitter (@ChesterAlumni) or at alumni@chester.ac.uk.
All featured images: © Pascale Scerbo Sarro
