By Suning Zhou, MSc Management (International Business)
Coming from China, I had never visited Sheffield before I chose to do my Master’s study here. Now, I have lived here for around five months, so I would like to share my feelings about living in Sheffield to give an idea for those who have not visited before.
As an international student, my first impression of Sheffield was that it was cold! Arriving into Manchester airport, I wondered how I was going to get used to it (I have found that layers and a warm coat are key)! However, after a few days of exploring the city, I found there are so many unique parts of this city, and there is a lot to love.
Sheffield is not a big city, but everything that you need is nearby. There are 
many supermarkets, as well as independent and well known clothing shops in the city centre. If you want some serious shopping, Meadowhall is a huge indoor shopping mall situated near Sheffield and can be visited using the tram or train. You will not be disappointed when you leave there!
If you want to enjoy some hustle and bustle, West Street (close to the city centre) is a good place for you to try different food and drinks with friends in different kinds of pubs and restaurants. For somewhere a bit more peaceful, Crooksmoor is a good choice – it is near to the Management School, and has lots of small independent eateries and shops. I am living in a house close to the Management School and there are many houses perfect for students around this area.
If you’re a person that loves to be around nature, you will definitely like Sheffield – it has more trees per person than any other city in Europe! There are loads of parks around the Management School, and I’ve really enjoyed walking in Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park on the days when it’s been sunny. My favourite thing to do is to lie on the lawn, enjoy the sunshine and have a nap. There is a beautiful lake in the park, and it’s lovely to sit on the bench by the lake and see people rowing.
Although Sheffield is so different from China, I’ve grown to love it and it is now a second home to me. I hope that if you choose to study here, you will find the same!