Wanting to develop her language skills, Judy was instantly enthralled by the Business and Spanish degree at the University of Central Lancashire
Judy Cooper wasn’t particularly sure what career she wanted to pursue but she always knew she wanted to develop her language skills and go travelling. She knew from the moment that she came to the University of Central Lancashire that she was bound to have an amazing time as it was a “great place to study and live”, Judy said.
After graduating, Judy went on to complete a PGCE before she decided to begin a career in teaching. Her first teaching job was in a school in the south of England, and it wasn’t long before Judy wanted to make use of the language skills she developed while studying, eventually relocating to Hong Kong. She soon secured the role of Vice-Principal, becoming the Head of the school not long after.
"Because of my degree I can now use my language skills on a daily basis."
— Judy Cooper, BA (Hons) Combined Studies - Business and Spanish graduate
Judy’s teaching career then led her to Singapore for another headship, followed by a relocation to Peru where she remains to this day. As the Head of Markham College in Lima, Judy leads a large bilingual international school, overseeing two campuses and over 2100 students. Judy loves her job and attributes her passion for teaching and working abroad to her experience at the University of Central Lancashire , particularly because her course allowed her to live in Spain on placement for a year. She said: “I have many good memories from University, including good friends and lots of fun, with some hard work too! As part of the course, I spent a year in Spain which I thoroughly enjoyed”.
Alongside completing a PGCE, Judy then also went on to obtain a MA in Education and most recently, an EdD, "which was of course part of my continued journey with further education following my first degree at the University of Central Lancashire" she said.
If Judy had any advice for prospective students, it’d be to “be brave and take opportunities that enable you to meet new people, travel and learn about different cultures. I moved overseas 20 years ago and have never looked back.”
