Her home city of Abuja in Nigeria may have lost the contest to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games but 28-year-old Kanayo Enwemadu knew she was on to a winner when awarded a place to study in Glasgow.

Her home city of Abuja in Nigeria may have lost the contest to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games but 28-year-old Kanayo Enwemadu knew she was on to a winner when awarded a place to study in Glasgow.

She arrived at Glasgow University last September to further her studies in public health and health policy after graduating with a pharmacy degree in her homeland.

Ms Enwemadu said: "I always wanted to do something in addition to my first degree. I know that the world is evolving fast and to spin with it you have to be of a better standard.

"Apart from just wanting to get a good job, there are places that you might not be able to get to if you don't have certain experience.

"I wanted to go to the next level in public health and UK institutions have degrees that are recognisable worldwide - it gives you an edge if you have one."

Ms Enwemadu went to a private school and going to university was always on the cards for her - her mother is an architect and her father an engineer - but she has found that studying at Glasgow University has offered an unrivalled learning experience in terms of the research resources on offer and the high standard of libraries at the institution.

It's been a big culture change for her. She loves the vibrancy and beauty of Glasgow, but is also coming to terms with the weather and living so far apart from her friends and family. It's the first time Ms Enwemadu has been out of her home country.

She has bought her first-ever winter coat and spends some of her free time at a church in Maryhill where much of Glasgow's Nigerian community congregate. However, it is the experience of living in Scotland and gaining a degree from a British university that makes the whole experience worthwhile.

Ms Enwemadu wants to return to Nigeria after qualifying in Glasgow and contribute to the development of her home country. Abuju in particular is improving quickly as it takes shape as the country's capital city and the demand is there for well-trained professionals.

"I want to make an impact on my country, I think when I return to Nigeria, I could be very effective there and Glasgow will play a large part in that," she said.