Shalini Weerasooriya

BSc Biomedical Science

I am a first year student studying Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield. Sheffield was my first choice of university because of the high rank it had for my course. Sheffield was one of the very few universities in the UK that allowed practical dissections, which I believe is an essential part in a biological-oriented course such as mine.

Coming from a tropical and lush country such as Sri Lanka, nature and environment has always played a role in my life, and therefore, I was particular about the environmental aspects of the city of the university I would be attending. Sheffield is termed as UK´s greenest city, and that feature is made quite apparent once you come here, where you will most likely to see greenery all around you; it also has a huge number of parks and gardens which anyone can visit any time, and let´s not forget the famous Peak District that surround part of Sheffield. Sheffield is also a relatively less costly city, which is ideal for the life of a university student.

I was afraid of the transition from Sri Lanka to Sheffield, and thought that I might be overwhelmed by the changes and feel homesick. But luckily, the feeling of homesickness only lasted one or two days, and once I started university, it was all gone. One of the things I instantly loved about Sheffield was the humble and friendly nature of the people here. Everyone was very much willing to help you out, whether it was when asking for directions, or just wanting to get to know someone.

Sheffield has a large student population, mainly due to the University. This also made it quite comfortable to adjust to the place as where ever you looked, you are bound to see a student just like you. This makes it more reassuring to know that there are many like you. I am currently living in one of the University student accommodation villages, called Endcliffe Village, which is about 15 minutes from the university departments. The city centre, which is few minutes from the University, has all the shops you will need for shopping and other things you need to buy.

The university has a job-shop and a careers service which help students find jobs, whether it is part-time, or fixed. I am currently working as a Residential Mentor within the Endcliffe Village, where we help maintain order and discipline and look into the problems and other issues that concern the residents of the village. If you intend to take up a job, it is advisable to apply for a National Insurance number, which makes the process quicker and easier.

There is a Sri Lankan society within the University, which brings together all Sri Lankan students. Everyone in the society is very close and friendly; and are actively involved in many events like the International Food Festival, Cultural Evening, International Sports competitions, and other international events, that enable us to promote and carry forward the name of Sri Lanka, and interact with international students from other countries. This helps to promote cultural diversity, and experience new and exciting cultures.

The university also has a lot of extra activities that allows you to get involved in events other than your course, enabling you to get an all-round degree. The give-it-a-go programmes which range from sports to dancing to cooking to exploring cities with the UK, is a perfect way to spend your spare time in interesting ways. The volunteering programme is one of my favourites, because since school, I have been involved in community service and charity events, and this programme really helps you give back to the society and spend your time in a useful way.

I am very glad that I chose the University of Sheffield as my choice, as it gives me a complete overall experience of University life, allowing me to balance my studies with work and extra-curricular activities, and also have fun along the way. I am enjoying my course very much and look forward to the coming years in Sheffield.