Nuray Aridici

PhD Politics

When I first started my undergraduate degree in political science in Istanbul, I dreamed about working in an international organisation and take part in their international agendas. This is why after finishing my degree I went to New York to do my internship at the Turkish Mission to the United Nations. This decision began a new chapter in my life and I took the opportunity to do my master’s degree in the US. I did my MA at the Columbia University on Russia, Eurasia and Eastern Europe. After finishing my degree, I worked in Istanbul as a lecturer for three years.

When I decided to apply for a PhD it was important for me that the university was a research university. I wanted to know that there was a good library and a well known politics department. The main reason that I have chosen the University of Sheffield was the university’s library facilities and high rankings compared to other UK universities.

The most enjoyable thing about studying Politics at the University of Sheffield are the learning outcomes and research skills that I gained. Both the departmental and university workshops aim to improve the students’ skills in related areas. Both the formal and informal working teams at the department give the opportunity to share the ideas and explore our thoughts around the other PhD students in the same subject.

I consider the most valuable aspects of my PhD is building my research skills. Not only the skills that I have received through my research, conferences and workshops, but also the teaching opportunities for the PhD students at the department.

I find the teaching and study methods helpful at the University. In the first year of the PhD, the department holds postgraduate program which gives the student the opportunity to value some other skills to their educational backgrounds. Moreover, this program provides the students to schedule their three years of research by monitoring and self-monitoring system. The teaching opportunities at the department also give an opportunity to the PhD students to improve their own methods and skills for their further career as well.

There are so many different benefits of an education from the University of Sheffield. The opportunity for teaching, to use the library facilities, many conferences and workshops are the best in my opinion.

The city of Sheffield also has many good options to enjoy the student life. For me the most enjoyable part of it is the green space of the city. The city is located in the middle of the UK and convenient to travel to the other cities as well. After studying long hours in PhD, to me, the most enjoyable thing is being close to the Peak District and to the parks. Sheffield is quiet green city and I really enjoy the fact that you can walk everywhere in the city. The city has also one of the lowest student living costs around the UK.

My advice to a student coming to Sheffield is explore all the opportunities available to you at The University of Sheffield and within the city of Sheffield.