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Growing up in Senegal, Togo and Guinea, Mariane Iman Ndiaye went to French schools, where intense preparatory classes for the grandes écoles shaped her intellectual discipline and led her to TBS Education in Toulouse. While pursuing a double degree in management and risk control, Ndiaye remained focused, yet aware that her academic journey could not end in France.
Source: UC Berkeley Global
She knew she must see the world, so she set her sights on UC Berkeley, the #1 public school in the U.S., and its Berkeley Global Access Program (BGA).
“UC Berkeley is known worldwide for the quality of the lecturers and course content, as well as the enriching student life,” she says. “And California is a really attractive state!”
With BGA, students from near and far can spend a semester or a full academic year exploring a variety of undergraduate- or graduate-level courses. Whether you’re seeking topics not available in your home university or looking to earn transfer credits, the programme is flexible enough to meet complex aspirations that require multidisciplinary expertise.
The only issue you may face is having to choose from thousands of classes on offer here. Popular subjects include computer science, engineering, mathematics, the social sciences and biology. Interested in the sciences? You can learn from some of the U.S.’s best physics faculty. Want to launch the next big thing? The Berkeley Haas Global Access Program is the program to choose.
As a student pursuing controlling and risk management, Ndiaye carefully selected her courses to complement her master’s programme at TBS Education. She enrolled in Auditing, Strategic Cost Management, Leading Strategy Implementation, and Equity Fluent Leadership and Personal Brand. She even took Mandarin lessons at the Student Learning Centre Language Exchange Programme. Each class was a new lens to view internal auditing, managerial accounting and strategy, which tied into her multifaceted career ambitions.
“Taking classes with other UC Berkeley students and with Berkeley faculty was interesting because, as a visiting student, you are immersed in the real American student experience,” she says. “It is enhanced by the professors who consider and treat every student equally!”
One class stood out—Auditing, taught by Professor Tiffany Rasmussen. It left such a lasting mark that Ndiaye sought an internship at Forvis Mazars en AOC, a leading audit firm in Senegal, to explore the field further. Ensuring her acceptance behind the scenes were professors dedicated to remaining available and approachable.
Source: UC Berkeley Global
“They are more open to having discussions outside of class. I even had a teacher invite me to a coffee shop to get to know each other more because I couldn’t attend her class as it was full,” Ndiaye says.
Berkeley’s commitment to forging connections is further proven by the industry leaders and innovators who often bring their professional experiences into the classroom. Ndiaye and her peers also took advantage of Berkeley’s proximity to Silicon Valley by visiting Deloitte’s and Google’s headquarters.
And because being a BGA student unlocks the full UC Berkeley experience, Ndiaye joined some of the university’s 1,200 student clubs and organisations. Two paired well with her passions: Fashion and Student Trends (FAST) and Her Campus, an online magazine for women on campus. As a stylist and show department member in FAST, she directed a photo shoot, leading a team that included models, photographers and makeup artists. She also helped organise one of the largest fashion shows in the Bay Area—a highlight of her time in Berkeley.
But life beyond the classrooms wasn’t all work—Berkeley offered countless cultural and social experiences that made her time in California unforgettable. A highlight for Ndiaye was attending a “fake Nigerian wedding.”
“When I arrived at the Pauley Ballroom, I realised the Nigerian Students Association was no joke when it came to showcasing their culture: introducing the fake groom and bride, and the in-laws; the exchange of vows; hosting a DJ, caterer and a great Nigerian artist; and exceptional traditional outfits and dances were all on the agenda!” she shares.
Source: UC Berkeley Global
The event reinforced the importance of connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds—a practice Ndiaye hopes to uphold long after graduating. Looking ahead, she envisions a career that blends her passion for fashion with her expertise in finance and strategy. She also feels a deep sense of responsibility toward Senegal and Africa as a whole.
“So maybe you will hear about me creating an innovative and revolutionary business or association that will help my country thrive,” she says.
Anything is possible with a university known for adding something special to CVs. UC Berkeley ranks first nationally in undergraduate psychology, environmental health, civil engineering, data science and economics programmes. It ranks 15th among all US. universities. Globally, it is ranked fourth by U.S. News, 10th by QS World University Rankings, and fifth by Shanghai Ranking. Forbes named Berkeley the best public university in the country, and Pitchbook highlighted its alumni as leaders in venture-funded startups.
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