BMS International Students - Shalini Weerasooriya

Shalini Weerasooriya
Level 3 (This article written as a level 2 student 2010)
Biomedical Science
Sri Lanka

Hi! I'm Shalini and I'm currently a 2nd year student studying Biomedical Science. It's funny how I'm no longer a 'fresher', because it feels like just yesterday when I first arrived in Sheffield and started University. I remember the anxiety and the overwhelming thoughts that passed through my mind as I got ready to leave my home country, Sri Lanka, and come to a whole new country, and a whole environment to start a whole new chapter of my life. But amazingly, the transition was smooth and easy, and not to mention exciting!

As an international student, I had to consider several aspects before making my choice of University; teaching quality, cost of living, environment in which I´ll be living, etc. The reason I chose Sheffield was partly because of the high accreditation it had for my course. It ranked in the top 5 in the country and it is one of the few universities that give students access to hands-on dissection, which plays a major role in our course. Coupled with that, the facilities and other teaching resources it provides, and the 5*Research quality it has gained makes it a very privileged place to study in.

Also, Sheffield is a very student-oriented city, and not to mention one of the friendliest and greenest cities, as well. Where ever you go, you are bound to see a student just like you; maybe walking to Uni or carrying groceries or simply having an evening walk. The Endcliffe Village (one of the University accommodations) is simply a delightful place to spend your 1st year. The diversity of students you meet and the activities you can be a part of makes it an ideal place for a University student.

I am involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities too; being the Secretary of the Sri Lankan Society, and a member of the Welfare Committee of the International Students' Committee, allows me to organize and be a part of various events organized by the Students' Union. I'm also a member of the Biomedical Science Society. I also work part-time as a Residential Mentor within the Endcliffe Village, which gives me the opportunity to meet new students who join University. The numerous opportunities that the Students´ Union offers also keeps me active, like the sports, the Volunteering projects, the 'Give It A Go' events, and other creative societies that one can be a part of.

Thus, over the past one and a half years since I've started University, I have come to love the experience. Not only has it allowed me to take an independent approach to various aspects of my life, but also allowed me to experience what student life is all about; balancing studies with work, other commitments, and also having fun, whether it's going out to one of the many Union nights and gigs or watching a movie with friends or simply taking a hike through the Peak District that´s minutes away.

As I get closer to the end of my 2nd year, I'm preparing myself for the year-out I'll be taking next year, to enrol myself in a sandwich year placement, thus giving me employment experience as part of my degree, as well. One thing I've realized is how quickly time passes by, and before I know it, I'll have finished my undergraduate degree in a couple of years, but I'm just as much excited for the remaining years of my University life here in Sheffield, as I was when I was about to start it!