Sarah Borrie
Graduate
International Business and Economics
Sarah Borrie was keen to gain a qualification with an international outlook, but she didn't expect her studies to take her around the world before she'd even graduated.
A German government scholarship meant Sarah spent two months at the University of Essen, immersed in German language, culture and literature along with students from around the world.
Described as "one of the highlights of my studies", it was an opportunity that came from Otago degrees being not only flexible, but kind of organic as well. "My degree just sort of evolved," Sarah admits.
Her career goals in business, interest in society and passion for German led her to build a double commerce and arts degree, allowing for plenty of German papers along the way. The scholarship was available to students studying German, but not as a major subject.
The experience, she says, tied in well with her studies in international business. "It's important in New Zealand to get a sense of the global context in which we operate. We can't do it all for ourselves."
It's a fact Sarah is constantly reminded of in her current role with the New Zealand Stock Exchange. She leads a team of four, managing issuer relations and the market announcement platform.
Now, she's set to add to her international perspective, with a one-way ticket to London pinned to her noticeboard.
"I've enjoyed leading a team of others and watching and enabling them to develop.
But now it's time to amass a bit more experience, and put myself in some new and different situations."