A Message For Fellow South Africans

Michelle Pascoe, South Africa

So what´s it really like at Sheffield University for a South African? Well…um… I have to say it´s pretty cool. Literally. Coming to a Sheffield winter from a South African summer was the biggest culture shock. It didn´t take long to learn about the wonders of central heating, multi-layered approaches to dressing and the importance of never – but never – venturing forth without an umbrella. If you can cope with the winter cold, a lot of rain, and don´t mind wrapping up like the abominable snowman, then you´ll be fine! The weather really is the biggest culture shock.

South African and British cultures are not enormously different, and most of us (Capetonians at least!!) are, I think, pretty adaptable and adventure-loving people. Getting to know your fellow British students, you will realise how much we have in common: we speak the same language, enjoy similar sorts of activities (beer drinking springs to mind!) and have academic institutions that are run in a broadly similar way.

Speak the same language? Perhaps some clarification is needed here. In South Africa there are 11 official languages, so not all South Africans will have English as their first language. But many will, and there´ll be varying degrees of accent attached. Having English as a common language does not necessarily mean you´ll be understood or will understand what your British colleague is attempting to convey to you! It´s not just some of the accents that will leave you smiling politely, but blankly, as you wonder what linguistic planet you have happened upon. Some of the words themselves are plainly English but used in ways guaranteed to leave you similarly baffled. It´s a little alarming that I can´t think of any examples right now, having been in Sheffield for only a year but inevitably you´ll build up a broad-ranging repertoire of local dialect. Ideally you´ll also have some fellow Sith Efrikans to keep you fluent with your southern hemisphere slang!

The University has a large international body of students and the opportunities to interact with students of different nationalities, including said Sith Efrikans, are great. Although you may feel homesick in your early days, there are so many foreign students likely to be feeling the same that there should be no reason to suffer alone. Most British people are genuinely interested to learn more about Southern Africa, so it shouldn´t be hard to find opportunities to rabbit on about our homeland!

The opportunities here at Sheffield University – and in Sheffield more generally – are enormous. Facilities for both undergraduates and postgraduates are excellent, and you can rest assured that you´re studying at a world-class institution. But it´s a friendly place to be, with something always on the go, and plenty of support structures in place to ensure you feel loved and looked after. Being in Sheffield means that the beautiful Peak District is only a short bus-ride away, and for most students accommodation is within walking distance of the university in some of the most pleasant suburbs of the city.

My year in Sheffield has meant many things to me. Aside from a stimulating academic environment, it´s meant meeting people from all over the world and being inspired by all our similarities and differences. It´s meant realising what I love about Africa but also what I love about England. So what´s Sheffield University really like? Honestly? Pretty cool.

Michelle Pascoe, South Africa