Alison Atkin (Whalen)
Alison graduated from The University of Sheffield in 2009 with an MSc Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology
Before coming to the University of Sheffield I studied at Saint Mary´s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for my Bachelor of Arts degree. I graduated in 2008 with an Honours in Anthropology, concentrations in Archaeology and Biological Anthropology. The university I studied at before coming to Sheffield was, comparatively, a lot smaller. Still, I never felt overwhelmed by the transition because the University of Sheffield has great systems in places for students coming from all different circumstances and experiences.
I originally decided to study in Sheffield because I had heard amazing reviews of the university and the city – both from UK and international ranking systems and from professors and students! The Archaeology Department has a great reputation for all of its programmes, both undergraduate and graduate. The MSc in Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology integrates the sciences and the humanities forming a comprehensive programme and it was this multidisciplinary nature that made it highly appealing to me. The university aims its programmes for people studying for academic, vocational, or occupational reasons – and I considered myself studying for all three reasons.
I really enjoy studying my programme here in Sheffield - studying Archaeology in the UK is great! My programme really focuses on the practical and technical aspects of the subject and the University of Sheffield has some really incredible resources that allow us to experience a lot of things directly. Here, I am being given opportunities and experiences that I might otherwise never have. I find that we are encouraged and given the resources to take control of our own education, which is a great feature of the University of Sheffield. And of course, studying in Sheffield means that when you are not in classes or doing coursework there are a lot of things for you to do!
The MSc course Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology at the University of Sheffield really prepares you for your next step, whether it is academic, vocational, or occupational. In the Archaeology Department lecture halls and laboratories I am being taught to research, analyze, interpret, and what I consider most important… how to think critically in this subject! We are being given the education and the skills we will need to continue on in the various fields related to the subjects of human osteology and funerary archaeology. My programme is also filled with students from many other countries and so by work and studying together we learn a lot about how our subject is approached all over the world.
I really enjoy the dynamic atmosphere that the professors provide at the University of Sheffield. All of the professors come from different backgrounds and have expertise in different research and topics. Some professors teach in the traditional lecture style, others teach through seminars, and others still teach with practical laboratory sessions. I find having a variety of different teaching methods keeps classes and coursework interesting. We are given access to resources and laboratories outside of classes - meaning you can continue with your studies whenever you like! It is nice to have a university schedule that is fixed, but where you still have a certain amount of control over aspects of it.
Personally, I feel that an education from the University of Sheffield has a great many benefits. Aside from the fact that I will be graduating from a well respected university, department, and programme, I am being given incredible opportunities and experiences that differ a great deal from those I would have received in my own country. The University of Sheffield and the Student´s Union have a great relationship with the city of Sheffield and when you come here you don´t just become a member of the university community, you become a member of the wider community as well!
I have to say that for me the best things about life at the University of Sheffield, aside from the education I am receiving, are the people and the location. Since I have moved to Sheffield I have had the chance to meet some incredible people and travel to some incredible places. At the end of it all though, whenever I come back to Sheffield I actually do feel as though I am coming home. I always enjoy spending time in Sheffield, whether I am at home with a cup of tea and a book or out at the pub for a pint with some friends. It is really easy to become attached to the city, the university, and the people here… making studying at the University of Sheffield a great experience!
My intentions when I came to study at the University of Sheffield were to focus solely on my education. Yet since I have arrived I found that I am able to experience more than I ever imagined I could and continue with my studies at the same time. When I finish my studies at the University of Sheffield I meant to find employment related to my research interests. While that is still my intent, I know now that I can achieve it while experiencing a great much more at the same time. I know that by attending the University of Sheffield, studying in my department, and completing my programme, I will be well prepared for whatever comes next for me.
My advice for students coming to Sheffield is to remember your studies, but also remember that you are here to experience more than just classes and coursework. The city of Sheffield has a lot to offer - there are galleries, museums, and gardens, there are pubs, cafes, and venues, there are shops, cinemas, and the union – the list goes on and on; and keep in mind that living in the UK means that travelling is really easy, whether it is a day trip to the next city over or a weeklong trip to the next country over! Embrace the fact that you are a stranger in a strange land… and realize there is a lot that you can learn here.
Web Diary
Read about the experiences I had during my time at Sheffield in my web diary.