The University’s student population is made up of such a diverse community

How did you first hear about your scholarship?

I first saw a post about the scholarship on Facebook. I initially didn’t think of applying for it because I thought it was for a select few but after seeing someone within my circle getting awarded the scholarship, I was encouraged to apply for it.

How did you feel when you heard that you were successful in being awarded the scholarship?

I was ecstatic. It was unbelievable because I never thought that I would ever get an opportunity to study far away from my home country of Zambia. The possibility of gaining new knowledge and experiences from a diverse community excited me.

What made you choose to study at Sheffield and your course?

It had always been my dream to study at the University of Sheffield since I first saw the advert for the university online in 2013, and so making the decision to study here wasn’t too hard. I was also looking for a course that would broaden my understanding of education studies in terms of policy formulation at a global level and my dream university had the right course for me.

What was your initial impression of Sheffield and the University when you first arrived?

For a person coming from an African country, I was in awe but what struck me the most was the peace and quietness of the town and that made me want to explore more, despite having been in transit for nearly twenty hours. I couldn’t wait to see the University, especially the Diamond building and Students’ Union. When I was finally able to see the Students’ Union building, I knew that I had finally arrived.

What are the highlights of your experience in Sheffield so far?

I have been able to make friends with individuals from diverse communities and cultures. It’s made me more open minded and has cultivated in me a sense of curiosity to learn and try new things, like eating Chinese food and dancing the traditional Ceilidh dance during Orientation Week.