Joshua Fundell

Home University: University Wisconsin- Milwaukee
Home University Degree Title: History

Why did you choose Sheffield?

I wanted a program that was a year long, in a place that spoke English. England was ideal because of its football (EPL) and the many different ales available to try out (in moderation of course). Plus England was a great staging point for the rest of Europe. Sheffield was the more appealing of the two England options to study at, the other being Birmingham.

Where did you live?

Ranmoor halls of residence.

What did you do for fun/ at weekends?

Clubs and bars at night. I would always watch the footy at Ranmoor bar or in Broomhill where there was always a fun crowd cheering on their team. Or I would attend the Sheffield Wednesday or Sheffield United football matches.

How does the workload/classes/teaching styles vary to back at home?

The emphasis seemed to be much heavier on personal work. The exposure to teachers and class rooms was half of what I was used to back home in the states. This was both good and bad, good in that the work load was my own responsibility, and I did not have to attend class all the time during the working week (leaving more time for relaxing or travelling).

Describe Sheffield in a short paragraph

The Campus and city center are only a short distance away which provides for easy access to shopping, clubs, bars and great places to eat. The entire city sits on rolling hills which provides for stunning views of the rooftops anywhere you are in the town. It seemed not to have rained nearly as much as other places in England, and I always thought that was because the storms washed out on the peaks district. Sheffield was a wonderful place to live, with a very nice train station providing destinations all over England, so even though Sheffield feels like a large city easily traversed on foot with a great atmosphere and community, if you feel the need to explore elsewhere or hop a flight some where, it's only a short and pleasant train ride away.

If you could give advice to a prospective student thinking of choosing Sheffield, what would you say?

If you like football (soccer) and fun social scene and want to see what a safe quaint but very active Northern England city is like, than Sheffield is for you!!

Could you give any advice or tips to a student preparing to come to Sheffield or tell them anything you wished you knew in advance.

I enjoyed going over without very much information, so no one else told me what to think about it before I saw it. Just play it by ear, and enjoy yourself!