Gbenga Oludotun

Gbenga graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2008 with an MSc Structural Engineering.

Making the choice of coming to the University of Sheffield has to rank as one of the best decisions I have taken so far and it was not just based on a whim. I carried out a detailed research into the university and spoke to friends who had already undertaken their masters to get their opinion of Sheffield, in terms of the university and the city. The University was always responsive to my queries no matter how seemingly mundane and were always pointing me in the right direction.

I studied for an MSc in Structural Engineering. The programme was quite intensive, as the department promised, but even then I learnt so much, more than I initially felt I would. The department is highly regarded in the field of Structural Engineering as I came to discover with the seminars presented by external speakers who showcase cutting edge technology and research.

It can be quite daunting making new friends and the tendency could be to stick to known faces but there are loads of ways of making great friends. My class was an international mix, with students from England, Scotland, Greece, Italy, China, Malaysia, Libya, Syria, India, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Ghana. Saying a simple "Hello" and taking an interest in their home country goes a long way, as I came to find out.

A look at my time-table would have suggested that I would not have had time for recreation or social activity but this was hardly the case. I was actively involved in the 5-a-side league run by USport, as a goalkeeper, and I was also part of the tennis club of the University and I played basketball at the weekend with friends. At the end of every module, the weekends were usually free of all coursework and assignments, so during that period my friends and I all went to the Valley Centertainment to watch a movie, play some arcade games, go bowling and try out different restaurants.

The first surprise for me, on arrival at Sheffield, were the number of hills that surround the city. On a bright, sunny day one can even make out the trees in the distant hills. Sheffield has a number of great places to visit like the Peace Gardens in the City Centre and the Peak District Park just outside the city but of particular interest to me was the Winter Gardens; the scale of the wooden arches just has to be seen!

For students coming to Sheffield from Nigeria I would just say three things:

• Expect to work hard;
• Be prepared to have loads of fun and make new friends;
• If in doubt, ask;

Enjoy the City of Sheffield!