All posts by Yat Tang

Editor of the SHU GoGlobal Blog

Summer Ice Skating Programme

Ice Skating over the Summer

Meet our student crew at the main University entrance for a fun evening at Ice Sheffield. You need around £4.20 for a return tram fare and another £4 for the skating session plus skate hire.
Ice Skating group

The sessions are as follows and to book on a session, select any of the dates below to book and register your details (Link will open in a new window):

The University will be closed during Easter!

The University will be closed between 14 – 18 April, but the libraries at City (Adsetts) and Collegiate will remain open 24/7.

Here are some tips from the Library:

  • Please remember to bring your SHU Card to enter the libraries!
  • •The Helpdesk will be closed but students can access books, journals and all electronic materials, printing, copying
  • Students can still top up their print or papercut account online, or pay library fines
  • Vending machines are available for you to use (and the coffee machine in Adsetts for those needing caffeine!)
  • Security staff will be there to help wherever they can with directional enquiries or filling up printers.
  • Students needing help can contact 0114 2253333 for 24/7 help with library and IT enquiries
  • We also recommend that students use the library gateway to search for answers to questions too – there are links to blogs, guides, and FAQs plus our Twitter feed @shu_library

The University will re-open as normal from Wednesday 19 April.

Why you should join HOST by Dana Hasan, MSc Web and Cloud Computing student

Thirsk visit by Dana
Dana with her HOSTS, Michael and Sue

“My first HOST visit was in May, last year and it was a weekend visit to a place called Thirsk. I didn’t know about the place at the start but I did some research about the place before travelling and found that it was such as a nice place!

I was matched with Michael and Sue, a retired couple who used to be primary school teachers. They were ever so nice to me, I was shown around the town which is in traditional English style and also I stayed in their home. I did a spot of gardening and help my host, Sue to plant a pot which she placed in the front garden. Michael took me hiking, a hobby which I enjoy and we went to Abraham Rocks, a local landmark and the views were amazing! They were also interested in asking me about my home country, Jordan about my family and life over there.

I still keep in contact with them and it thoroughly enjoyed the visit and their hospitality.

When you apply for a HOST visit, apart from the visit cost you will need to set a travel budget too. Both of my trips were under the amounts I budgeted for and the HOST co-ordinator was helpful and guided me all long to be able to meet them and they will ask you for feedback too. HOST will allocate you to where you are going which may seem nerve racking at first, but if you treat the visit as an host letteradventure and to explore you will feel much more comfortable. It’s important that you do some research about the location. You can also apply for HOST visit with another International student too.

“I would recommend everyone to join a HOST visit to experience UK home life and families, and you will have more chance to visit the small towns and villages that are interesting and full of history too”

Leyland by Dana
Dana with her hosts Kathryn and Mike in Leyland for a Christmas visit

My second HOST visit over Christmas and I met Kathryn and Mike in Leyland. I experienced Christmas properly for the first time as I don’t celebrate it back in my home country, Jordan.

I arrived at their home on Christmas Eve and they took me to a traditional Christmas Church service which I found interesting.
On Christmas Day I was so excited to receive my first ever present with my name on! I found it was such a sweet gesture from my hosts and I was surprised how much British people eat for Christmas Dinner! I learnt so much about Christmas traditions, such as Christmas trees and displaying Christmas cards around the house plus I played Jenga and watched Christmas movies on the day. It was such a warm feeling and I managed to go for a walk with my hosts too.”

HOST visits are as follows:

  • Day Trip £36
  • Weekend trip (weekend homestay) £60
    Prices do not include travelling expenses

It’s a low cost way to explore the UK and meet new people!

Register by completing a short form on http://www.hostuk.org/application/

Any questions? Email globalfriends@shu.ac.uk

Complete a survey for a chance to win an iPad Pro!

GREAT images_Knowledge The British Council and the GREAT campaign are researching to explore the student journey and decision making process of international students coming to study in the UK.

They have created a short,  simple survey which asks about your own thoughts and experiences. Only newly arrived  students who started a course from September 2016 onward are eligible to complete the survey. By completing this survey you have an opportunity to win a brand new iPad Pro worth £750.

Your answers will help your university to improve the communication of its offer to students like you from around the world.

Link to survey

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and the deadline is the end of January 2017. Everybody who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw. Two winners drawn at random will each receive a brand new iPad Pro worth £750.

SCOPE graduate Igloo Novas’s semester in Sheffield

Igloo at her graduation with friends at Sheffield
Igloo at her graduation with friends at Sheffield

“I first did an Associate Degree in Applied Social Studies with Urban Studies in Community College at City University Hong Kong. This led me to do the top up course, Applied Social Science at SCOPE, which is in partnership with Sheffield Hallam. Due to my outstanding academic performance I was able to obtain a scholarship to study a semester doing postgraduate credits at Sheffield Hallam.

My first impressions of Sheffield Hallam were that it is modern, especially the library, very much like SCOPE. I particularly like the classes in terms of the mix of international students and small class sizes which encourage communication and group discussions, and lecturers get to know you more which is very different to SCOPE.

The modules that I studied had field trips which encouraged me to explore British culture, and faculty support has been great too.

I have found the support that the International Experience Team provide has been great and the programme of SHU GoGlobal activities has given me experiences of British culture, especially in the events, activities and particularly trips they have provided. I have enjoyed being a Culture Connect mentee during my time here and being matched to a local student as a mentor has helped me a lot in adjusting to local culture.  At SCOPE, I mentored incoming US students in a group mentoring scheme where two local (Hong Kong) students would mentor three US students. I would show them around key landmarks around Hong Kong and talk about the local culture.

I have been fortunate to attend my graduation at Sheffield Hallam, it will be an experience that I will never forget. I was shocked to hear a live violin orchestra performing at the ceremony! I felt that the event was steeped in tradition which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks to my academic achievements at SCOPE and SHU, I have been able to pursue a Master of Urban Planning at the University of Sydney in early 2017.

I would say that my semester at Sheffield has given me unforgettable life experiences for my future studies.”

TAR UC students back in Sheffield after four years

Two of our Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) students from 2012 intake recently returned to Sheffield to explore the place that they studied back in summer 2012. Here’s a brief account of their stay here reminiscing their old memories and exploring places in the UK that they didn’t cover when they were here as students four years ago.

Jethro Wong, studied BA Hon Business with E-Commerce and Marketing said “After completing my studies I went back to Malaysia and worked for 3 months for a marketing company. Afterwards I moved to work for an enterprise mobility company, focusing on IT security which is where I am currently working now. The course that I studied at Sheffield Hallam made it possible to find a graduate job back in Malaysia and to reach where I am today. Coming back to Sheffield made me realise how quickly time flies and I am looking forward to exploring places in the UK which I didn’t have the chance to previously. I am especially looking forward to going to places such as Durham and Lincoln.”

Kimberly Boey, who also studied BA Hon Business with E-Commerce and Marketing, said “When I went back to Malaysia, I did various jobs related to digital marketing and mobile advertising which are both rapidly developing areas in Malaysia. Afterwards, I spent two years working for an advertising network company focusing on sales and business development which I enjoyed. Coming back to Sheffield after four years, it doesn’t feel like it has been that long! I still remember all the places I used to go, and they are still there! There are also new places too and I have missed Sunday roasts in the UK, which you cannot get in Malaysia. I am looking forward to exploring the Peak District during my holiday here, as I want to explore the views and scenery of my favourite film, Pride and Prejudice.”

Welcoming City University of Hong Kong students

This is our first year running the Cultural and Language Immersion scheme with our partner institution, City University of Hong Kong.  This is a month long scheme and we have welcomed 32 students who are all second year undergraduate students from a range of courses in the building and construction area. The course is based around improving their English as well having course related activities with visits to the Peak District and sustainable living projects.

We have designed an intensive schedule of social events for this cohort of students; activities include visits in the local area such as Kelham Island Museum, afternoon tea in Bakewell and Weston Park Museum. The local trips are designed to provide them with a broad range of opportunities to immerse themselves in British culture and living in homestays reinforces this as they have every opportunity to learn more about the UK and Sheffield.

Also we have organised two weekend trips to help them explore more of the UK. The students will visit Edinburgh and London, which includes a trip to see the Lion King in the West End and the historical Tower of London.

“We really enjoyed our visit to a local primary school! The children are so energetic compared to school children in Hong Kong as they were so engaged in what we were showing them. We showed them how to make paper aeroplanes, watched some Hong Kong cartoons and taught them how to write their names in Chinese. This has been an opportunity not to be missed” WONG, Kai Yin (Jason) and NG, Ka Ying (Kate) school visit

Staying in Sheffield over Easter? Join our Easter Vacation Programme!

We have organised a range of events for everyone who is staying in Sheffield over Easter.

Staying in Sheffield over Easter 2016 pictureKey events include:

  • Conversation Club, Wednesday 23 March, 5 – 7pm in Owen 942.

This will be our last Conversation Club for this academic year which is one of the best ways to meet people in Sheffield.

  • Holi Festival comes to SHU, Thursday 24 March, 6 – 8pm and Meet at the main University entrance.

Celebrate the Holi festival, one of the most famous celebrations in India.  At this Hindu festival people celebrate the good over bad and the beginning of spring.  We will provide some colours to help you celebrate in style.

  • Trip to Bakewell, Saturday 9 April, 10am – 4pm and Meet at the main University entrance. 

We have organised a trip to the delightful market town of Bakewell famous for its pudding and streets.  We will be taking the bus to Bakewell which is approximately £6 return, please pay on the day.

More events and activities can be found in our calendar here and subscribe to our event on our SHU Global Facebook page.

Printed copies of the programme will be available to collect from the Student Services Centre, Level 5 Owen Building from Monday 14 March.

Trip to Oxford

As part of our Easter Vacation Programme we have organised a trip to Oxford!

Radcliffe Camera and All Souls College, Oxford University. Oxford, UK
Radcliffe Camera and All Souls College, Oxford University. Oxford, UK

Date: Saturday 2 April 2016

Time: 7.45am – 8.00pm

Tickets cost only £12 and can be purchased from the Student Services Centre, Level 5 Owen Building.

Oxford is renowned for its medieval university and is known as the ‘city of dreaming spires’, which refers to the beautiful architecture of the university buildings. Many have starred in films especially, Harry Potter. There are plenty of shops, museums and gardens to explore along with the largest single room devoted to book sales in the whole of Europe, which is in Blackwell’s bookshop.

SHU Fest 2016 – We’re going to Newcastle!

All the votes have been counted for the SHU Fest 2016 Trip Vote and the winning destination is Newcastle!
Newcastle 2016

Newcastle is a major city in the North East of England,  with lots to see and explore. Key sites include the ‘Angel of the North’ one of UK’s largest sculptures, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Metrocentre, Europe’s largest indoor shopping centre.
The trip details are as follows:

Date: Saturday 5 March

Time: 8am start, leave Newcastle back to Sheffield at 5pm

Tickets only cost £11 and can be brought from the Student Services Centre, Level 5 Owen Building

Further information about Newcastle can be found here

Remember to take your SHU Fest selfie and enter our competition! Post your SHU Fest selfie and post it on our Facebook page, SHU GoGlobal or Twitter and don’t forget to #SHUFest!