Rita
Rita studied BA Politics & Philosophy at the University of Sheffield until June 2010.
I was first drawn to the University of Sheffield because of its excellent ratings and friendliness. To me it was important to go to a respected University if I were to leave my own country at all, but I also wanted to have fun! The first factor that influenced my decision was the quality of my Department, being rated as one of the best in the U.K., I was very impressed by the reviews of the department and could not wait to be a part of it. I was also drawn to the City of Sheffield; it seemed to offer the great infra-structure of a big city and the friendliness and safety of a small town. But perhaps the biggest factor in my decision was that I was granted an International Scholarship, which definitely made things easier for me!
I am currently a First Year Politics and Philosophy student, and I could not be happier about my course. The Politics department is ranked as one of the top teaching and research departments in the country, and it certainly is! What is amazing about it is that the two courses complement each other so well, in Politics I learn about the world and how it works today and in Philosophy I learn to question that. I am also very excited about the amount of career opportunities this degree offers; I could pursue a political career or chose an academic one!
I did not have the opportunity to visit Sheffield before I arrived in September, but I was not disappointed. The city is very lively and bustling but has a very safe atmosphere about it. What I particularly love about it is that there are students everywhere! That is amazing because the city seemed to function around the University, there are so many advantages to being a student here because the city has made room for us! It was really important to me, coming from Rio de Janeiro and being a real beach fan, to have somewhere I could escape to get away from the city and relax, and indeed, the Peak District with all its rich nature is just around the corner! As much as I miss the beach, a long walk in the mountains is also very relaxing!
One of the best things about the University is that most of the learning takes place outside the lecture theatre! There are so many opportunities to participate in new activities! Since arriving in England I have become a big Rugby fan, and have the opportunity for playing Varsity Rugby for the University. I am so proud to be part of a team, and I would definitely recommend it, there are hundreds of sports teams to choose from. I have also had the opportunity to get involved with the Sheffield University Theatre Company, which produces many fine performances a term! I also love going out, and Sheffield has certainly not disappointed me in that aspect, there are several fun bars and clubs to go to, and you can always expect a good night at the Union!
Like all good experiences, moving such a long way to Sheffield has also been quite challenging! Being away from home for the first time and not knowing anyone around were my biggest worries before I got here, but I soon found out that all Undergraduates are in the same position so very willing to help each other out! I have made the best friends here! Sometimes it is difficult to be away from home, immersed in a culture that is unfamiliar, but the experience is so rewarding that makes it all worthwhile.
Web Diary
Read about the experiences I had during my time at Sheffield in my web diary.