Sheffield And Me

Swati Gautam, India

You alright, luv? To a tired and utterly desolate me, these words sounded from Heaven, but came from a kind lady who'd seen my lost look, surrounded by mounds of luggage and clutching a key to a home, yet unknown. After calming me down, she called me a cab and reaffirmed my faith in humanity, all in the space of a few minutes. Such are the breed of Sheffield inhabitants who prove that kind words and smiles cost nothing. Thereafter, on my umpteen walks to the scenic areas around Sheffield, help and guidance was always forthcoming, no one was ever too busy for a student out on her own - though not without my alarm key ring, so graciously given to all girl students by the University, free of charge!

To summarise life here at Sheffield, It's flying by. And before I blink an eyelid, it will have gone past and embedded itself in memory lane as, perhaps, the most exciting, enjoyable and yes, constructive time of my life. The course itself is high on learning and ensures that overseas students mix with the locals: what with innumerable assignments related to recording 'vox pops', it's helped know the friendly people even better.

Having taken up a job as a student ambassador with the Outreach and Access section, I enjoy the time that I spend in the company of vivacious teenagers with whom we interact. They come from all over South Yorkshire and are examples of how coexistence has almost permeated down to school levels: at least ten percent of them are ethnic minority students but their behaviour could be well emulated by the 'powers that be in this increasingly fragmented world. To come back to the children, what touches me most is that so far away from home, I may still be making a difference however tiny- in the life of an impressionable teenager who may feel attracted to university life and further education, thus becoming a better world citizen!

On the other hand, I'm also enjoying my role as a Union Rep. The Students Union in Sheffield is very different to the ones in India and is certainly a treat for every student with High Street quality being available at student prices. As a Union Rep I've got to communicate between all students of my department and the Union that exists to take care of all issues relating to us. Having witnessed the Annual Student Union Elections which were conducted in a spirit of bonhomie, with rival candidates joking and laughing with each other all the way through. In hindsight, I'm pretty happy with the decision I'd taken in India a year back: of joining Sheffield for a post grad degree. At the time it seemed as if I was heading for the unknown, but if life's a gamble, then it's paid off for sure.

Swati Gautam, India