Meet Yazdan – A Driven second year Accounting and Finance Student.

  1. Please provide your educational background.

    I am a second‑year Accounting and Finance student. I am also a student rep, I support both current and prospective students by helping at open days, answering questions about the course, and offering honest advice about student life and the wider university experience. My role focuses on making students feel welcomed, informed, and confident in their decisions, while also representing the student voice within the course.

    Alongside this, I volunteer with the charity Debate Mate, where I originally started as a student in the programme and now help deliver sessions in a local high school. I support young people in building confidence, strengthening their debating skills, and developing structured, precise answers. Through team‑building activities and guided practice, I help them communicate their main points clearly and grow more comfortable speaking in front of others.

  2. Please explain your experience regarding COIL?

    I first heard about the Go Global competition through a friend, and knowing how successful previous MMU students had been made me want to get involved. The experience began with creating an in‑depth business analysis of a hotel, which I presented in a one‑to‑one pitch where I shared my findings and innovative ideas for future improvement.

    A real highlight was being surrounded by hardworking, like‑minded students seeing their ideas, initiative, and confidence was inspiring and pushed me to grow. Through pitch training and financial and business analysis workshops, I developed practical skills while being part of a triple‑accredited Business School collaboration with students in Egypt, working together on sustainable solutions informed by their local knowledge.

    Becoming a team leader was a key turning point, allowing me to shape the project’s vision while working with sharp, creative individuals who made the challenge feel collaborative rather than daunting.

    As I move into third year, I’m taking this positive mindset with me, focusing on my strengths and using these new skills to continue developing both individually and as part of a team.

  3. What has been you best experience as student at Manchester Met?

    One of the best parts of being at Manchester Met is the sheer number of opportunities available, from business competitions to industry visits. I’ve learned that the key is simply putting yourself forward and saying yes.

    A standout moment for me was visiting the BNY Mellon office a rewarding experience that came from stepping outside my comfort zone. The same happened when I joined the Africa Business Concept Challenge. I had little background knowledge in the region or in creating business solutions, but with my interest in tech and innovation, I saw it as a chance to learn something completely new.

    Taking that leap taught me how valuable it is to approach unfamiliar challenges with confidence; when you put yourself out there, the experience is always rewarding.

  4. Is there anything else?

Hard work is always recognised, and I’ve learned that the effort you put in directly shapes the results you receive, especially at university. Whether it’s assignments, projects, or extracurricular opportunities, the outcome almost always reflects the energy and commitment you invest.

That’s why I try to give 110% to everything I take on and trust that the results will follow. It’s a mindset that keeps me motivated, focused, and optimistic about whatever comes next.

Created by Jessica Reynolds, Blog Interviewer & Content Creator
If you’d like to be involved in a future blog post, please do reach out: J.Reynolds@mmu.ac.uk