The ultimate guide to Instagram in Sheffield

By Mila Donders (MSc Leadership and Management)

Before I came to the UK, I was told that Sheffield was not the prettiest of cities. Happily, once I got here, I found that I absolutely disagreed. Not only do I think that Sheffield is actually a beautiful city, I also think that it is one of the most Instagrammable places I have ever visited. With this guide, I hope to give you some ideas for interesting and good looking posts while also telling you what my favourite parts of Sheffield are (and showing off my own pictures).

Tip #1: Kelham Island

ki-edited One of my favourite areas in Sheffield is Kelham Island. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, it is also very different from the rest of the city. It looks industrial, but hip, and has some of Sheffield’s best bars and restaurants. A great place to take some cool shots is the Kelham Island Museum (pictured with the flags), but any spot around Kelham Island will essentially do the trick.

Tip #2: Paradise Square

Located just behind the cathedral paradise-square-edited in the centre of town, Paradise Square is a charming little place that will make your Instagram-followers very happy/jealous. The best pictures are taken in the late afternoon or around sunset. Try to take your pictures during working hours; that way, the parking lot in the middle of the square will be relatively empty, which will make taking nice pictures a little bit easier.

Tip #3: Clay Wood

sheffield-edited-again If you’re a fan of city views, this is the place for you. Clay Wood is just behind the train station and you do have to walk up a hill for the view, but it is 100% worth it. From the hill, you will be able to see and capture Sheffield in its full glory. After you take your pictures, you could go for a walk in the nearby park or visit the Cholera Monument to learn more about Sheffield in darker times.

Tip #4: Use the weather!

It is no secret that weather in the UK can be rainbow-edited a little unpredictable, but I find that since the weather in Sheffield changes so much, there are many opportunities to catch beautiful images using the weather. For instance, there can be a lot of rain, but the weather has the tendency to change quickly, increasing the chances of seeing rainbows! Additionally, the clouds can give your pictures some beautiful effects, especially around sunrise or sunset.

There are also plenty of other gorgeous places to explore around Sheffield, such as the Botanical Gardens, the Winter Gardens, and of course, the Peak District. I hope this guide has been helpful to you, or at least shown you that Sheffield is a beautiful city, worth exploring. Happy Instagramming!

Making the most of student life!

unnamed By Nadia Zulhasni, MSc International Management

I have had various setbacks in life, but one thing did not change for sure: My determination to further my studies in the UK. Many years on and here I am typing this 6,553 miles away from my comfort zone called home.

So far, the grass IS greener at this other side of the world… and for that, I am grateful for having the privilege to be here. I also promised myself to grab every opportunity I can while I’m here, aside from studying.

After all, life’s about seizing opportunities – so yes, carpe diem!

In Sheffield, there never seems to be a dull day. Whenever I want to fill up my free time, I head to the university’s website, click here and there; the next thing I know, I find myself somewhere in the university listening to talks, or joining some random event.

One of the first few events I attended was during World Week 2017. I can vividly remember one of the discussions called ‘Breaking Boundaries’ where three speakers of diverse backgrounds spoke about their experiences and how they attempt to break the social stigma around them. Very eye opening; a tear or two dropped. The discussion reiterates that we have the power to make a difference to turn this world into a better place through education.

These kind of talks are different than the ones I attended back home. There is a bigger exposure on sensitive issues and nothing is taboo.

unnamed-3 Next, I got in touch with my inner Malay to join the cultural Malaysia Day in the Students’ Union building. I even dressed up in my traditional costume called kurung batik! And I obviously had to drag two of my friends from Hong Kong and China to join! Don’t they look great in the Malays’ traditional outfits?

In between classes and assignment deadlines, there are many study support skills, networking opportunities and career talks organised by the university’s Employability Hub in Management School. Here’s my picture with Mr. Barry Senior from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a professional network for HR management professionals. He gave insights on ho unnamed-2 w a career pathway in HR can provide us with a lifetime of opportunities, challenges and job satisfaction when exposed to different people from different industries.

When I say opportunities… I really mean there are countless here!

The photo at the top is a picture of me attending the grand opening of iForge, a makerspace area for students run by students! I got to learn and witness how they use the high precision laser cutter, 3D printers, and working tools among many other cool stuff I never imagined of using in my entire life!

I’ve also had the opportunity to join ‘This Girl Can’ week! A week filled with sports and fun activities exclusively for female students, which are mostly free to join such as baseball, tennis, skate, self-defence and cricket. All in all, it was great fun while increasing our confidence to engage in sports!

unnamed-1 Well, this girl definitely can! And this girl will never run out of things to do in the University of Sheffield where opportunities are limitless — it just depends on how we make the most out of our time here as students.

My Life in Sheffield

yueh-ting-chung By Yueh-Ting Chung, MSc International Management and Marketing

Hello.

My name is Yueh-Ting, a Taiwanese student studying a Masters in International Management and Marketing. Today I want to introduce my life in Sheffield to you!

Food

Because I love eating, most of the content of this article will be about restaurants and food.

my-life-in-sheffield-5 I most often study at the Diamond library and while I am there, it is easy to find food.

There is a fast food snack bar just across the street where you can easily try the classical British food, Fish and Chips!

There are many other restaurants and a convenient store nearby.

In the library itself, there is a coffee shop.

It’s quite easy for people to find Chinese food in Sheffield so international students can fit in quickly! Here are some pictures to show you the Chinese food in Sheffield.

my-life-in-sheffield-9 The moor market in the city centre is a great place to find fresh and cheap food. My friends and I usually go there at the weekend to have breakfast and then buy some vegetables, fruits, meat and bread for the next week.

my-life-in-sheffield-10

Of course, there are also small local versions and large supermarkets, such as Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s, near to the student accommodation which have long opening hours for convenience.

Student Accommodation

my-life-in-sheffield-7 There is a perk living in the student accommodation of our university that I want to introduce to you! We can join the residence life sport class without paying fees.

In the first semester, I joined the Yoga, Pilates and Zumba class, because these three classes took place in the same complex as my home. I just needed to go downstairs and exercise.

my-life-in-sheffield-13 Besides, with the residence life card, sometimes we can buy concessionary tickets. For instance, I bought the ticket to Whitby in the Student Union at a lower price (The picture is of Whitby Abbey). Yes, our SU will take us out to visit other cities on one day trips. We just need to buy the ticket and hop on the bus.

Travelling to the Management School

Living in Allen Court, I take about 20 minutes to walk to the Management School. Yep, I know. You might think it’s a long time. But actually, you will get used to it! And you will be stronger and healthier for it. There is also a beautiful park, Western park, on the way. Soooo beautiful. Really!

my-life-in-sheffield-12 my-life-in-sheffield-11

Crookes Valley Park, which is next to Western park, is also very attractive.

In addition, there is a great Tai food restaurant close to the Management School. Having lunch with classmates there after class is quite enjoyable. After that, you can take a walk in the two beautiful parks and then go back home or to the library to study.

5 things you shouldn’t worry about when coming to study at the University of Sheffield

roxana-rojas-pic By Roxana Rojas Linares, MSc Entrepreneurship and Management

So maybe you are planning to get a postgraduate degree at the University of Sheffield but are concerned about a few things like language, making friends and getting used to a whole new environment. And you are right; studying abroad is challenging but is also a highly rewarding experience that will change your life.

Here is a list of my top 5 things you shouldn’t be worried about.

1. Language

If English is not your first language you may feel concerned about not being able to communicate or about not understanding your lectures. You may picture yourself in a room full of English speaking people with you staring from the corner. Well, you shouldn’t. Each year more than 5,000 students from all over the world join the University of Sheffield and it is a fact that you’ll share lectures with many of them. So first thing, you are not alone! Secondly, the University gives you the opportunity to improve your English skills through workshops and lessons especially designed for international students. They can even help you to check your written assignments. Language will not be a problem.

2. Making friends

First days at school can be scary. Now imagine it in a foreign country! Will you make any friends? The answer is, definitely. Apart from meeting people from your classes, the University makes a big effort to program plenty of activities to break the ice, from sports to entertainment and culture. Also, there are dozens of students’ societies for you to join. Share your passion for music, art, dancing, books… you name it. And there’s more, Sheffield has been named the friendliest city in the UK so be prepared, chances are you won’t even have time for yourself!

3. Food

my-life-in-sheffield-6 It’s true. After a while you will miss some of your hometown’s flavours. However, Sheffield has excellent restaurants from all over the world. Greek, Asian, Turkish and Italian to name a few. On the other hand, the University Shop at the Students Union and other specialized supermarkets sell international groceries. Test your cooking talents and make yourself and your friends a traditional dinner from your country.

4. Finding a place to live

Finding a place to live in an unknown city can be intimidating. Is this area safe? Will I like it? Sheffield is a beautiful city with plenty of living options for students. Any area near the University is safe, affordable and near supermarkets, coffee shops and restaurants. If you don’t like taking risks, go for the University accommodation, located in the best areas of town and at a walking distance from the University facilities.

5. Safety

If you come from a big city, you will find Sheffield charming and friendly. If you come from a small city you will find it exciting and entertaining. In any case, crime rates in Sheffield are low and the city is known for being one of the safest places in the UK. However, it is always advisable to take basic safety measures like avoiding walking alone at night or in dark places. The University makes sure you have access to safety information and runs special transportation for women at night.

I hope that helps you feel more comfortable in your decision to study at the University of Sheffield and to understand what Sheffield has to offer!

Why I chose the University of Sheffield

yueh-ting-chung By Yueh-Ting, MSc International Management and Marketing

As an international student, when I apply to universities, the first thing I consider is the reputation. The University of Sheffield is one of the top 100 universities in the world, and it has many facilities to support students, both academically and in leisure.

The Students Union has been rated as the best student union in the UK. Therefore, the university is a very attractive choice.

In addition, the Master programmes in the UK are one year long, which is shorter than many other countries. Although this means that classes can be more intensive and the pressure might be higher, students can study effectively and move to the next stage of life quickly.

Another personal reason is that the Management School offers scholarships for Taiwanese students nominated by National Cheng Kung University. I’m grateful to participate in this programme. As my undergraduate degree from National Cheng Kung University is in Accounting, I wanted to combine new areas of study into my Masters qualification. The International Management and Marketing (IMM) programme provides both management and marketing knowledge, making it an attractive choice for me.

why-i-choose-sheffield-imm In the first semester, we studied with Marketing Management Practice (MMP) & Global Marketing Management (GMM) students. Each course offers a two hour lecture and a one hour seminar per week. The lectures about marketing are interesting because teachers use real-life stories to explain theories and the theories about marketing usually relate to psychology. To me, learning these things seems like learning about people, including myself. In the seminar, student’s group together to discuss case studies with the knowledge we learned from the lecture, academic papers, and textbooks. Also, we practice presentations in seminars, which is very important for growing our skills for the workplace.

Another benefit of studying in Sheffield University Management School (SUMS) is the Employability Hub which organises events for students to enhance their connections with the real business world and elevate transferable skills, such as networking and how to deal with interviews. In addition, students can apply for a company project for their dissertation, which offers a fabulous chance to contribute their academic knowledge to solving real business issues.

As for the city, Sheffield is a big why-i-choose-sheffield-imm-2 and safe city. The living costs are also relatively lower than other cities in the UK, and much cheaper than London. It is easy for students to buy daily essentials in the supermarkets around the corner from the Management School, such as Tesco and Sainsbury. Or we can easily take the tram or walk to Sheffield City Centre. It is very convenient.

These reasons above are what attracted me to apply to the University of Sheffield and the International Management and Marketing programme. There are still many things making me enjoy my life in Sheffield; for example, making many new friends from different areas. I really recommend international students to apply to Sheffield University Management School and join the big family!

Moving on from undergrad to postgrad

hy-picture By Huey Ying Chong, MSc Occupational Psychology

I recently completed my BSc Psychology from The University of Sheffield in summer 2016. Feeling extremely relieved and all, I happily attended the graduation with my fellow peers, receiving loads of congratulations from friends and family. I would describe that summer as a really good one because I was casually telling other people, “oh I just graduated,” and you could see them showing you the “lucky you!” face. hy1

Before I finished my undergraduate degree, I applied for MSc Occupational Psychology at the Sheffield University Management School and was lucky enough to gain a place on the course – yay!

I wondered if I should go straight into postgraduate studies or if I should try and find a job. But I did my research and found out that it is actually not that uncommon to sign up for postgraduate studies right after you got your Bachelor’s degree! With much excitement, I returned to Sheffield in Autumn 2016 to start my postgraduate studies.

The Autumn semester is nearly finished and I can tell you that this is a different game from undergraduate. Here are three things I’ve learnt so far:

It can feel hectic at times. There is lots of work to do and you need to balance the different deadlines, attend all your lectures and tutorials, and make sure you’re always focused and committed to your studies.
Lectures are a lot more engaging. Remember when you used to walk into a big lecture hall with over 200 students buzzing inside? Not on my course – there are only 30 of us. During the lectures, you are expected to constantly be engaged in group discussions and responding to the lecturer’s questions. It’s pretty cool, in fact. You will be learning a lot quicker than when you just sit in the lecture hall and listening.
Because of the small class size you get to know all your course mates. You will know their names, you will know their different backgrounds, you will have lunch breaks together, and more! Some of them were working before starting the MSc so they bring their working experience to the classroom and share their insights with you.

I’m still finding postgraduate studies to be very tiring at times, however I really like it a lot better than undergraduate studies! I like laughing at my course mates’ jokes, hearing about their working experiences in different industries, the practical focus of the teaching, and that the lecturers are so warm and friendly.