Future international student looking for help in her decision

Hello! I plan to be an international student at Sheffield Hallam next January. I received an offer for the international foundation year program in business, law and social sciences and then transitioning to Marketing Communications and Advertising course. From what I have been able to research on my own, the accommodation they offer seems very good, I have heard only good things about the city of Sheffield, and the best thing is that the price of the university is affordable for me. On the other hand, I don't know how the university is in terms of academics and opportunities and how beneficial it would be to me to study the Marketing Communications and Advertising course there. Also, I haven't seen that many international students doing undergrad there and also there is not much variety of clubs/ organizations compared to other universities, I'm afraid I won't make friends :frown:

I contacted a student from my country who graduated from that university last year and studied the same course. What she told me was that the biggest disadvantage she had was socially, she was the only international student in her course so it was very difficult for her to create a group of friends and at the beginning she hung out with the friends of one of her mutual friends who was studying at Sheffield Uni. Well feel free to comment negative or positive experiences and also if you have an advice or recommendations. Any info will be of great help to me!

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Hi, I would suggest you if you like the course and university just study for it. It does not mean if your friend is not find any friend you also won't. Many people have different taste. When I took admission there are other international student but they did not speak to me. So, I utilize that time in exploration alone and study. Further, you can join some gym where you meet new people and find friends. You also use facebook there many group where you can find friend. Don't loose hope.

Reply 2

rebeca.v3

OP

2

Did you study in sheffield hallam?

Reply 3

username5972212

0

17

I'm not at SHU but I know the area quite well and I would say that Sheffield is a pretty diverse city. It's also close to some amazing countryside and you often see groups of students out hiking, climbing and orienteering, or otherwise just enjoying the surrounding area (i.e. the Peak District). You could look out for student societies at SHU and join them at the earliest opportunity. For example, https://www.hallamstudentsunion.com/organisation/8706/#:~:text=Fellwalking%20and%20Mountaineering%20Club%20is,active%20clubs%20at%20Sheffield%20Hallam.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

I haven’t started studying at Sheffield Hallam yet but I know that the area is extremely diverse. I often go into town and see many international students out and about in small groups.

Reply 5

Chester Student

Official Rep

12

Original post by rebeca.v3

Hello! I plan to be an international student at Sheffield Hallam next January. I received an offer for the international foundation year program in business, law and social sciences and then transitioning to Marketing Communications and Advertising course. From what I have been able to research on my own, the accommodation they offer seems very good, I have heard only good things about the city of Sheffield, and the best thing is that the price of the university is affordable for me. On the other hand, I don't know how the university is in terms of academics and opportunities and how beneficial it would be to me to study the Marketing Communications and Advertising course there. Also, I haven't seen that many international students doing undergrad there and also there is not much variety of clubs/ organizations compared to other universities, I'm afraid I won't make friends :frown:

I contacted a student from my country who graduated from that university last year and studied the same course. What she told me was that the biggest disadvantage she had was socially, she was the only international student in her course so it was very difficult for her to create a group of friends and at the beginning she hung out with the friends of one of her mutual friends who was studying at Sheffield Uni. Well feel free to comment negative or positive experiences and also if you have an advice or recommendations. Any info will be of great help to me!

Hi there,

While I am not a student at SHU, hopefully I can provide some reassurance.

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity. It gives you the chance to experience new cultures and perspectives, gain international experience, learn and develop new skills, and it looks great on your resume. However, it can be hard to take a leap into the unknown.

I have found a few resources on the rankings and statistics, which you can find here, here, and here. Hopefully these give you a better idea of Sheffield Hallam's ranking locally and globally, as well as the quality of courses they offer.

As a new student anywhere, the best advice you can get is to put yourself out there. I'd recommend looking into any sports, societies, and clubs you might be interested in, and registering as soon as possible. Look to see if there are events going on (such as movie nights, the sports and society fair, fresher's fair) and attend those that interest you, and also consider part-time work and volunteering.

In your classes, try to join in early on. Everyone is likely in the same boat (new to university, looking to make friends) so this is the best time to try! I love suggesting coffee dates, walks around the city, or study dates, as these are easy to plan and less awkward. However, just keep in mind that not everyone finds their friends on their course. You may find them elsewhere, and that is okay!

I hope this helps, and wishing you the best of luck!

Isabella 🙂
Third-year Geography with a Year Abroad Student

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post by rebeca.v3

Hello! I plan to be an international student at Sheffield Hallam next January. I received an offer for the international foundation year program in business, law and social sciences and then transitioning to Marketing Communications and Advertising course. From what I have been able to research on my own, the accommodation they offer seems very good, I have heard only good things about the city of Sheffield, and the best thing is that the price of the university is affordable for me. On the other hand, I don't know how the university is in terms of academics and opportunities and how beneficial it would be to me to study the Marketing Communications and Advertising course there. Also, I haven't seen that many international students doing undergrad there and also there is not much variety of clubs/ organizations compared to other universities, I'm afraid I won't make friends :frown:

I contacted a student from my country who graduated from that university last year and studied the same course. What she told me was that the biggest disadvantage she had was socially, she was the only international student in her course so it was very difficult for her to create a group of friends and at the beginning she hung out with the friends of one of her mutual friends who was studying at Sheffield Uni. Well feel free to comment negative or positive experiences and also if you have an advice or recommendations. Any info will be of great help to me!

Hi there!

As an international student, I can resonate with your worries. I also did a foundation year in my university and I felt that was what made it easier to make friends as my classmates were all international from a similar background as me, so there was more to relate to. It may not be the same experience for you bu ti find that making friends first with other international students on your course or in the general foundation year builds a really nice sense of community.

Being away from home, it is also nice to have people who share similar experiences that can make you feel less homesick. If you are really worried about having little to no friends, it is worth looking at other universities that offer international foundation year pathways, Lancaster being one of them, I can actually speak from experience and say there are a lot of international students here and the sense of community and friendship is also good. There is also a wide range of societies that you can get involved with, including cultural societies.

If you are very much set on Sheffield University however, I would recommend reaching out to the foundation year team and letting them know about your worries, they could find ways to better connect you with other international students and make you feel more welcome.

Best wishes,
Lancaster Univeristy Student Ambassador,
Glory.

Reply 7

roxmellisausa

1

Nice and impressive discussion for me and I have been looking this kind of stuff for a long time. I have also bookmarked it for more further question. Thanks.

Future international student looking for help in her decision

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