First impressions of PhD study

"As an international student from the United States I chose to travel to the UK for my degree to broaden my academic and personal horizons. The Department of Sociological Studies proved to have a intersecting program where my various interests within sociology could be explored. I also appreciated the option to begin part way through semester as it allowed me to transition from my Masters with little time lost.

"During my first visit to the Department I was impressed with the social environment cultivated by staff and students. Throughout my PhD, I increasingly enjoyed the friendships I formed with fellow students.

"Another pull to Sheffield was the city itself. With accessible public transportation, the city is easy to travel around and filled with pockets of unique cafes, pubs, and shops. With a large student population bringing change and progress, there is always a new international restaurant to try or concert to attend. On weekends I greatly enjoyed exploring the Peak District, which is only a bus ride away! The location of Sheffield is ideal for travelling for academic and personal adventure. The UK’s major cities and universities are within reach of a train ride, which opens up the possibilities networking with other universities or attending conferences.

"The University is pushing for increased awareness of diversity and culture, thus I made friends from all over the world. Students within my cohort were creative, engaged, and eager to learn the craft of research."